Portland Beats Orlando, 112-105, Behind Norman Powell’s Impressive Debut

After a trade deadline that saw fan favorites Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood sent to Toronto, the new guy is already making a big impact.

Norman Powell did just about everything the Portland brass could have hoped for in just his first game. He finished with 22 points (which tied the team- and game-high), two rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist.

His 22 points are the most by a Trail Blazers player in a midseason debut (minimum of 20 games into the season). By comparison, Trent Jr. and Hood combined for 10 points, one rebound and one steal in their debut for Toronto.

Portland was without Damian Lillard, but Powell filled in admirably for the Blazer All-Star.

Along with Powell’s debut, Jusuf Nurkić finally returned after he fractured his right wrist in January. The Bosnian Beast was on a minutes restriction, but he still managed eight points and eight boards in 19 minutes.

Not to be forgotten, CJ McCollum also had 22 points. On top of that, he had seven assists, five rebounds and a block.

McCollum wasn’t as prolific as he was on Thursday against Miami, but he did enough to get the W, 112-105, over Orlando.

It shouldn’t have taken this long to mention Robert Covington, sorry RoCo. He scored 15 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

The bench was great with Enes Kanter and Anfernee Simons providing 15 points each. Kanter also had 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Meanwhile, all 15 of Simons points came from three pointers (5-of-7), and he added three rebounds and three assists.

Up next, Portland (27-18) faces Toronto and their old friends, Trent Jr. and Hood, in Tampa on Sunday.

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