On Sunday night, the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-109 at the Footprint Center after putting together three strong quarters before faltering early in the fourth.
The Blazers performed admirably, as seen by their 118-116 loss to the Spurs at home on Sunday. However, the opponent was superior once more.
With 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, the Blazers were down 16 points to Phoenix before a late scoring outburst made the score more manageable.
However, the first eight minutes of the last quarter were when this game was lost. The Suns went on an 11-3 run to begin the fourth quarter and take a 94-82 lead after leading 83-79 at the end of the third. Before falling behind 16, the Blazers were unable to draw any closer than nine.
There were, however, many advantages. The Blazers held the Suns to 13 second-chance points and only committed 13 mistakes for 13 points. Six players finished in double figures as the Blazers shot a respectable 45.2% from the field.
The Blazers’ three-point shooting percentage was only 30.6% (15 of 49), while Phoenix’s was 38.5%. However, Billups was happy with the number of shot attempts his squad made.
Billups remarked, “We get up 49 threes today, and I thought, really good looking threes, too.” I was therefore pleased about that.
Portland led 30-23 in assists, and the Blazers’ bench outscored the Suns’ bench 50-44.
Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a shot against Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center on December 15, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Getty Images/Chris Coduto photo)Getty Pictures
Coach Chauncey Billups of the Blazers told reporters, “We played the right way for the majority of the game.” You’re performing well when you have 30 assists. Your teammate is the reason you’re playing. Your friend is the object of your play.
Anfernee Simonsled the Blazers with 20 points,Jerami Grantscored 17, as did Deni Avdija off the bench.
Rookie center Donovan Clingan, still on a minutes restriction after returning Sunday from a knee strain, scored 10 points with nine rebounds and blocked two shots in 19 minutes.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 28 points. Kevin Durant scored 20 but went 9 of 23 from the field and 1 of 9 three-point attempts.
He shoots 23 shots to get 20 points, you did a really good job on him, Billups said of Durant.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) looks to shoot the ball while guarded by Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samantha Chow/AP) APAP
Things began slowly for the Blazers, who fell behind 33-21 by the end of the first quarter. Portland went 3 of 14 on threes in the quarter. The Blazers went 3 of 10 from long distance in the second quarter but shot 10 of 14 on two-point attempts to win the quarter 30-24 and trail 51-47 at halftime.
The Blazers took their first lead in the third quarter during an 11-0 run that gave them a 62-57 lead that didn t last long.
I like our effort when things don t go amazing, Adija told reporters. I feel like we kept playing, we kept fighting.
Portland made another similar run in the fourth quarter, but it wasn t enough.
I feel like we should have started that earlier, Avdija said. I don t think we should start playing like that when stuff goes downhill.
WHAT IT MEANS (Box score)
The Blazers (8-18) have lost six consecutive games and 10 of their last 12. The Suns (14-11) moved to 13-2 in games with Durant in the lineup.
Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers controls a rebound against Oso Ighodaro #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center on December 15, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)Getty Images
WILLIAMS RETURNS
Backup center Robert Williams III returned after missing seven games while going through the NBA s concussion protocol.
Williams scored eight points with three rebounds in over 16 minutes off the bench.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the Denver Nuggets (13-10) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
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