We were up 22-5 after the first 8 minutes of the game and then Rose cleared the bench. That turned out to be a mistake as the bench guys all came into the game without bringing their brains. Rose said after the game that he shouldn't have taken all the starters out at that point.
However, the bench players should have played better and smarter. And against an opponent like this with an early 17 point lead, these games are supposed to be for checking out the bench players and trying different combinations. From his post game comments I think Rose was surprised some of his players reacted so badly to the opportunity.
At this point the opponents get better and Rose will most likely go more conventional with the lineups and substitutions and give the most minutes to his trusted guys, which at this point seem to be Collinsworth, Emery, Kaufusi, Davis/Aytes. Fischer will probably get another start or two, but the leash is going to be much shorter.
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