When Kevin Durant goes, everything goes for the Suns. Even without Bradley Beal, Mike Budenholzer's players dominated the Blazers (116-109), even if the game had to be tightened after the locker room.
Because behind his atomic weapon, Phoenix had the best start. Kevin Durant was going to look for his spots to take his unblockable shots which hit the mark and launched his team's attack. The lead began to climb but the impact of Donovan Clingan (10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks) did good for the Blazers.
Portland remained on the heels of the Suns, and even went ahead against a dozing team, like Jusuf Nurkic who made a series of bad choices after returning from the locker room…
Devin Booker then took matters into hand to regain control of operations. The Blazers had missed their chance, Kevin Durant and the Suns were then able to calmly advance to win and return to the Top 6 of the Western Conference with this second consecutive victory.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Kevin Durant, the boss. Even in an evening where he was clumsy from afar (1/9 for 9/23 general skill), Kevin Durant showed all his influence on the Suns' game. It is he who starts his team's match, and who creates the necessary gaps to offer space and open shots to his teammates.
– The waltz of the pivots continues in Portland. No Deandre Ayton for this match in Phoenix, the Blazers starter, ill, missing his reunion with his former team. It was therefore the rookie Donovan Clingan who started under the circle for Portland, showing good things, especially in the second quarter, where his size hampered the Suns on both sides of the field. The rest was more complicated, with many mistakes. Robert Williams III was back, with limited playing time.
– Six consecutive defeats for the Blazers. In any case, this makes a 6th consecutive defeat for Chauncey Billups' players, who are plunging into a new tasteless season. With 8 wins for 18 losses, they quietly moved away from the Top 12 of their conference when the Suns returned to the Top 6.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
