Coming off of a commanding 127-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns had a golden opportunity to build momentum against a Portland Trail Blazers team missing eight total players tonight.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Blazers were outscored by a combined 112 points over their last three contests, yet jumped out to an early seven-point lead in the first quarter.
Moses Brown (left wrist fracture), Shaedon Sharpe (adductor soreness) and Robert Williams III (right knee ligament tear) were already out
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) January 15, 2024
The Suns stormed back and looked like they would cruise to victory after a 40-28 second quarter, winning by as much as 17 in the third period. However, a 15-5 run to start the fourth quarter by the Blazers cut the deficit to four. The Suns responded with a 14-7 run to close and ultimately pull out a 127-116 victory.
Phoenix played pretty well offensively, shooting 46-of-76 (60.5%) from the floor. However, the Blazers made 20-of-42 (47.6%) threes, which is the second-most threes the Suns have allowed this season. Rookie Scoot Henderson scored a career-high 33 points (4-of-9 from three) to go along with nine assists and seven rebounds. Anfernee Simons had 28 points (6-of-12 from three), five assists and five rebounds.
The Suns were led by Devin Booker’s 34 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Bradley Beal, coming off a season-high 37 points and career-high eight threes, finished with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and four turnovers for Phoenix.
FINAL: #Suns 127 – #Blazers 116
Phoenix wraps up road trip 2-1. Devin Booker leads Suns with 34 PTS (14-22 FG), 7 AST and 6 REB. Bradley Beal 23 PTS (9-13 FG) and 5 AST. Kevin Durant 21 PTS (8-16 FG), 6 AST
Scoot Henderson career-high 33 PTS to go along with 9 AST for Portland
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) January 15, 2024
Beal knows the Suns did not play their best tonight.
“I think we took a step back, and I think we all know that,” Beal said. “We didn’t come out with energy; we weren’t focused. We didn’t do any of our defensive assignments out the gate; we allowed them to get really comfortable, and they stay comfortable throughout the game. And hell, in the third and fourth quarter, they were just raining threes and had us all over the place. And offensively, we were just discombobulated. We didn’t have energy in the ball. We got to be a lot better than that if we want to be the team that we say we want to be. So yeah, it’s great to get a win, but we didn’t win how the Phoenix Suns should win.”
Bradley Beal: "I think we took a step back and I think we all know that." pic.twitter.com/iO2V1IjYxk
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 15, 2024
Phoenix now has to endure a difficult schedule to work out their problems.
They will next play the Sacramento Kings (23-16) at home Tuesday. Then, they travel to play the New Orleans Pelicans (24-16) Friday and host the Indiana Pacers (23-16) at home next Sunday. After tonight, the Suns play nine more times this month and seven of these matchups will be against teams at least three games over .500.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
