Trail Blazers Outlast Devin Booker and the Suns

ThePortland Trail Blazersmanaged to overcomeDevin Booker’s 34-point performance on Saturday night, besting thePhoenix Sunsand capturing their fourth victory of the season. CJ McCollum andDamian Lillardboth struggled from the field, but as has often happened this year, Portland’s role players were able to pick up the slack on their way to a 114-107 win.

Game Flow

CJ McCollum andDevin Bookergot things started by exchanging baskets on the opening two possessions, a sign of things to come. Portland then shifted towardsJusuf Nurkic- allowing the big fella to touch the ball on all but one of Portland’s trips down the court in the first four minutes. The plan worked smoothly for the Blazers at first, as consecutive possessions ended with Nurkic hitting an openMaurice Harklessthen Al-Farouq Aminu for easy points. The Suns were able to build a slight lead, however, as TJ Warren’s 4-for-6 start gave the Suns a seven-point edge halfway through the first. ButPat Connaughtonclosed the final two minutes of the first quarter with a pair of three-pointers, giving Portland a 29-24 lead.

Connaughton continued his scoring streak as the second quarter began. McCollum andEd Davisworked in tandem to create space, capitalizing on Phoenix’s soft pick-and-roll defense. The Suns countered by picking up the intensity, forcing a series of Portland turnovers parlayed into transition points. Once again the Blazers closed the quarter strong with a successful combination of defensive trapping and free throws. Portland finishes the first half up 61-57.

Nurkic got his own offense going with two layups and a open midrange shot to start the third quarter. Booker was able to keep the Suns close with jumpers and a barrage of trips to the free throw line. Lillard went to work onMike James, but Portland’s second unit failed to protect the paint as the quarter came to a close. Despite Portland’s offensive fireworks, they led only 92-89 after three.

The fourth quarter began with McCollum andEvan Turnertaking turns sinking midrange jumpers. Portland’s lead expanded to seven, but Phoenix reclaimed ground on the backs of Booker andJosh Jackson. The Blazers finally threw on enough defensive pressure down the stretch. The lead never got comfortable; Portland led by only two with 30 seconds remaining. But when the Blazers needed stops down the stretch, they got them. Free throws pushed the final margin to seven, in a decent, if flawed, performance for the Blazers.

Analysis

减去Devin布克的4-of-7夜之外arc, the Blazers managed to hold the Suns to just five three-pointers tonight. Portland’s halfcourt perimeter rotations looked sharp; the majority of Phoenix’s favorable three-point looks came off of turnovers.

Portland’s now-standard rebounding advantage was curbed by Phoenix’s long, bid-bodied frontcourt.Alex LenandDragan Bendercombined for 15 rebounds off the bench tonight. Ed Davis contributed 11 all on his own, though.

After a 4-of-6 start from distance, the Blazers never looked back. Three-pointers smoothed over Portland’s turnover issues and most other woes. The Blazers finished the night shooting 11-26, 42.3 percent beyond the arc.

Individual Notes

Jusuf Nurkic started the night going 0-for-4 from the field to along with two early turnovers. After that he went 6-11, committed only one more turnover, and finished the night with 17 and 9.

Damian Lillard kept Portland’s offense rolling even when his own shot wasn’t falling. His 9 assists provided a high mark for the season. Plus he heldMike Jamesto 2-8 shooting.

Pat Connaughtonwas crucial to the second unit’s success on offense tonight. The former Notre Dame standout started the game hot, giving Davis and McCollum plenty of floor space to work pick and roll magic. Connaughton shot 3-4 from distance and scored 13.

First-round rookieZach Collinsmade an appearance in the first quarter instead ofCaleb Swanigan, but was unable to get anything going. He notched an assist and 3 personal fouls in 8 minutes.

Moving Onward

Boxscore

The Video Recap

Our friends at theBright Side Of The Sunare currently coming to terms with coach Jay Triano’s first loss.

开拓者将返回周一采取行动的y hostDeMar DeRozanand the TorontoRaptorsat 7pm Pacific.

—Steve /@SteveDHoops/ BEdgeSteve@gmail.com