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.
On December 15, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers tries a shot against Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. (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.
The Blazers were led by Anfernee Simons (20 points), Jerami Grant (17 points), and Deni Avdija (off the bench).
Donovan Clingan, a rookie center who is still limited in his playing time after recovering from a knee injury on Sunday, finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 19 minutes.
With 28 points, Devin Booker led the Suns. Despite shooting 9 of 23 from the field and 1 of 9 three-pointers, Kevin Durant scored 20 points.
“You did a really good job on him,” Billups said of Durant, who takes 23 shots to score 20 points.
During the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in Phoenix, Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) attempts to shoot the ball while being guarded by Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35). (Photo by Samantha Chow/AP) APAP
The Blazers had a poor start and were behind 33-21 at the end of the first quarter. During the quarter, Portland made 3 of 14 three-pointers. The Blazers trailed 51-47 at the half and won the second quarter 30-24 despite shooting 10 of 14 on two-point attempts and missing 3 of 10 long-range shots.
The Blazers gained the lead for the first time in the third quarter, going 11-0 to take a short-lived 62-57 advantage.
Adija told reporters, “I like our effort when things don’t go amazing.” We seemed to keep playing and fighting, in my opinion.
In the fourth quarter, Portland made another similar run, but it was insufficient.
“I think we ought to have started that sooner,” Avdija remarked. When things are bad, I don’t think we should start acting that way.
IMPORTANCE OF IT (Box score)
The Blazers (8-18) have dropped 10 of their last 12 games and six in a row. When Durant was in the lineup, the Suns (14-11) went 13-2.
At Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 15, 2024, Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers manages a rebound against Oso Ighodaro #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half. (Getty Images/Chris Coduto photo)Getty Pictures
Williams comes back.
Robert Williams III, the backup center, made his comeback after missing seven games due to the NBA’s concussion protocol.
Williams came off the bench for more over 16 minutes and finished with eight points and three rebounds.
When referring to Williams and Clingan, Billups stated, “I thought both guys protected the rim.” We didn’t sacrifice much at the basket.
UPCOMING
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Blazers take on the Denver Nuggets (13-10) at home.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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