When the Toronto Raptors got 100 points off their bench this past Sunday in their series-clinching 150-122 win over the Brooklyn Nets, they were able to show the basketball world, their phenomenal depth. Here are the top five performances from players not in the starting lineup so far in the 2020 National Basketball Association postseason. To be on the list, you needed to have been on a winning team for a particular night.
5) Jordan Clarks0n–Utah Jazz–In game two for the Jazz against the Denver Nuggets on August 19, Clarkson had 26 points and was a +22 in a 124-105 Utah win. Clarkson had four three-pointers, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal, as the Jazz evened the series at one game apiece. After five games, Utah leads Denver three games to two.
4) Serge Ibaka–Toronto Raptors–The powerful center from the Congo had a double double off the bench in the Raptors 28 point win over the Nets in their series-clinching game four. Ibaka had 27 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with two blocked shots and two assists.
2) Dennis Schroder–Oklahoma City Thunder–In game three of the Thunder series against the Houston Rockets on August 22, Schroder, a native of Brunswick, Germany, had a team-high 29 points in a 119-107 win. He also had five rebounds, five assists and two steals as Oklahoma City won its first game of the series.
2) Norman Powell–Toronto Raptors–The shooting guard from San Diego could find himself into a starting role if Kyle Lowry’s ankle continues to be a problem. In game four against the Nets, Powell had 29 points, five rebounds, two steals, one assist and one blocked shot to go along with a +31 in the Raptors 150-point onslaught, which was a team playoff, single-game career high for Toronto.
1)Dennis Schroder–Oklahoma City Thunder–On Monday, in the Thunder’s three-point win over the Rockets, Schroder once again led Oklahoma City in scoring with 30 points in a 117-114 win over Houston. Schroder, who also had three assists and one rebound, recorded 10 field goals and four three-pointers. The series resumes on Friday deadlocked at two games apiece.
