#18 trendingTrail Blazers vs. Suns

Trail Blazers Beat Suns 132-119 to Improve to 6-1 Behind Avdija, Lillard and Clingan

By Trend Desk · · 2 min read

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The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns 132-119 on Wednesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. Portland is now 5-0 on the road and 6-1 overall.

According to The Oregonian, it is the Blazers’ best seven-game start since 1999-2000, when they also opened 6-1. Phoenix fell to 1-5 and has lost four straight. Arizona Sports reported it is the Suns’ first 1-5 start in eight seasons.

How Portland pulled away

Phoenix played better than it did in the season opener, when Portland led 21-0 early and won by 41. The Suns made seven of their first 10 shots and led 34-29 after one quarter, with Devin Booker scoring 12 in the period.

The second quarter changed everything. Portland held Phoenix to 25 points in the period and took a 13-point lead into halftime. The Blazers added 32 more points in the third quarter.

Deni Avdija ran the offense. Arizona Sports noted he already had eight assists midway through the second quarter, mostly on kick-outs to open shooters. At halftime, Portland led 17-12 in points at the foul line and 9-3 in made 3-pointers.

Trail Blazers vs. Suns player stats

Player PTS REB AST Notes
Damian Lillard, POR 25 — 5 9-of-17 FG
Donovan Clingan, POR 24 10 — 3 blocks
Deni Avdija, POR 21 8 12 3 turnovers
Devin Booker, PHX 33 — — 9-of-19 FG, 13-of-13 FT
Jalen Green, PHX 22 2 2 6-of-17 FG

Portland played without Ja Morant (left hamstring strain) and Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus surgery). Phoenix was missing Jordan Goodwin (right calf soreness).

Booker’s scare and Phoenix’s defense

Late in the third quarter, with Phoenix down 18, Booker went to the locker room after Robert Williams III’s follow-through on a block attempt hit him in the face. Arizona Sports reported that he was holding his chest. Afterward, Booker said he wasn’t sure what had happened to him. He returned with under 10 minutes left but missed all three of his shots in his final seven minutes.

Defense is Phoenix’s biggest problem. Arizona Sports said the Suns entered with a league-worst defensive rating of 128.8 outside garbage time, and it got slightly worse after this game. “It’s been the same story the whole season,” Booker said. “We’ve done it good in spots, but we haven’t been able to put together 48 minutes.”

What’s next

The Suns are starting five games in seven days at home, beginning with the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Portland has more road games ahead. According to The Oregonian, 12 of the Blazers’ first 17 games are away from home.

FAQ

Who won Trail Blazers vs. Suns?

Portland won 132-119 in Phoenix on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Who led Portland?

Damian Lillard scored 25, Donovan Clingan had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Deni Avdija had 21 points and 12 assists.

What is Portland’s record?

The Blazers are 6-1, including 5-0 on the road.

Sources