Monday’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns was very different from the Blazers’ resounding victory at the Moda Center on Saturday.
The winner of this game remained the same even though it came down to the last seconds of overtime.
In their last nine games, the Blazers have won eight of them, holding on to win 121-119.
With 4.4 seconds left and the Suns down 120-117, Suns guard Devin Booker made a free shot.
He missed the second but made the first two. With 3.2 seconds remaining, Blazers center Deandre Ayton collected the rebound and was fouled, putting the team ahead 120-119.
Ayton missed the second free throw but made the first. But Jerami Grant managed to collect the rebound and finish the game.
Despite a resolute Phoenix effort, the Blazers prevailed 127-108 over the Suns on Saturday.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated, “We knew they were going to come in scrapping and fighting, and we didn’t let that happen again after the way we beat them the other day.” That team includes Hall of Famers. We therefore got ready for a dog fight, and that’s precisely what happened.
Against his old squad, Ayton led the Blazers with 25 points and 20 rebounds. Deni Avdija had 24 points and eight rebounds, while Toumani Camara scored 17.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points, while Booker led the Suns with 34.
With 38.6 seconds left in overtime, the Blazers were ahead 116-113. However, with 32.6 seconds left, Bradley Beal made a basket after Durant had assisted him, bringing the score to 116-115.
Anfernee Simons, a guard for the Blazers, attempted a jump shot in the lane, but it struck the backboard instead of the rim. The shot clock did not resume after Ayton grabbed the rebound and passed out to Simons. After reviewing Simons’ shot, the officials waved the play off. With 13 seconds left and 4.5 seconds on the shot clock, they decided that the ball had not struck the rim and handed it to the Blazers.
Grant was given the ball by the Blazers, but he missed his three-point try. With 7.8 seconds left, Beal fouled Ayton after he grabbed the rebound.
Ayton’s two free throws put Portland ahead 118-115.
The Suns got the ball to Booker in the right corner with Avdija closing in seconds later, with the Blazers leading 120-117. With 4.4 seconds remaining, Avdija was given his sixth foul, and Booker took the shot.
Booker had an opportunity to tie the game as a result.
Simons was impressed by Ayton’s play on both ends.
“He just adds intensity and energy,” Simons remarked. His playing may definitely be contagious when he is playing with such fire and enthusiasm.
Camara made five of seven three-pointers as the Blazers shot 43.2% from beyond the arc.
Billups remarked, “Tou hit some really timely threes that we needed.”
In the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, center left, defends while Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, center right, drives to the hoop. (Photo by Amanda Loman/AP) APAP
IMPORTANCE OF IT
The Blazers (21-29) and Suns (25-24) were knotted at 2-2 in the season series. After defeating the Phoenix 127-108 on Saturday, Portland had to contend with a much more determined squad on Monday.
According to Simons, we anticipated that the game would be more difficult than it was on Saturday.
13th in the Western Conference, Portland is 4 1/5 games behind ninth place, which is shared by Golden State, Phoenix, and Sacramento (25-24).
Robert Williams III
Williams did not play on Monday night, but he was available. Since January 26, he has not performed. There have been trade speculations involving Williams. Thursday at noon is the NBA’s trading deadline.
DEVIN BOOKER SUNS
Booker became the Suns’ all-time top scorer with 24 points for the game, including a three-pointer in the third quarter. Walter Davis (15,666 points) lost ground to Booker.
UPCOMING
Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Blazers take on the Indiana Pacers (28-20).
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
