The Portland Trail Blazers faced the Houston Rockets on Friday night without starting point guard Damian Lillard. Throughout the opening weeks of the season, Portland relied on Lillard’s 31.0 ppg scoring average to carry them through several close victories. Against the Rockets, they’d have to manufacture other points of attack and safety nets.
As it turned out, points of attack came plentifully and safety nets weren’t needed. Anfernee Simons filled Lillard’s shoes with aplomb. Rookie Shaedon Sharpe responded to his first-ever NBA start with 14 points, including a few that brought the Moda Center and everyone watching on broadcast feeds to their feet.