The host Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-121 at Moda Center on Wednesday.
Despite the Blazers pulling out a rare wire-to-wire win, this game was close throughout. The Suns trailed by one with just five seconds left, as the Blazers closed things out with some clutch free-throws. Portland was lights-out with their jumpers, as they shot 56 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum carried the load, as they combined for 71 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the win.
Phoenix (2-6) has gotten off to a rough start this season, but they continue to hang around in every game. After back-to-back career-high nights, Devin Booker settled for 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting in the defeat. Eric Bledsoe was Phoenix’s best player, as he totaled 31 points, four rebounds and four assists, with 15 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. Four bench players scored in double figures, as Dragen Bender, Brandon Knight, P.J. Tucker and Leandro Barbosa combined for 42 points. Tucker was very important off the bench, accumulating 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five steals. The Suns play again on Wednesday, when they host the Detroit Pistons for their next game.
Portland (5-3) were expected to dominate this game, but it was closer than fans would hope. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum did everything they could though, as they each scored 30-plus in dominating performances. Lillard led the team with 38 points, five rebounds and three assists. McCollum wasn’t far behind, as he tallied 33 points, six rebounds and seven assists of his own. Maurice Harkless was third on the team, with his 20 points and six boards. Al-Farouq Aminu played just four minutes, as he exited with a calf injury in the first quarter. Portland will look to build off this win against the surging Los Angles Clippers on Wednesday.
