If you doubt in any way, shape, or form that the Blazers need more help off the bench to sustain that success through--and especially beyond--the regular season this game should have answered that doubt. It wasn't even Portland's worst bench night of the year. Mo Williams scored 13. Then again he took 13 shots to do so, hitting only 4, committing 3 personal fouls, getting burned on defense, and he was by far the best player off of Portland's bench tonight. San Antonio was missing Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, and got Matt Bonner's nose broken on a spastic T-Rob head bump before Bonner could contribute and their bench still outscored Portland's 40-21. Yes, most of that was Ginobili and yes, the Spurs' bench is the highest scoring in the league, but that's the point. Those reserves do exist and you cannot trust Portland's bench players against them on a nightly basis, especially in the critical games one hopes Portland ends up playing. Every time he substitutes it's like Coach Stotts is tossing a live grenade on the floor and you don't know whether it's going to explode on the opponent or end up friendly fire. The correct answer is, "Probably both." Acknowledging that the Blazers have staked their claim to playing at an elite level one must also acknowledge that the difference between success and failure at that level is both razor thin and subject to manipulation by talented opponents who know what they're doing. If the Blazers leave that much uncertainty to be played with it's a sure bet that somebody along the line will figure out how to turn it to Portland's disadvantage.