Having to win to stay in the race in Las Vegas, on behalf of the new NBA Cup, the Suns easily disposed of the Blazers (120-107). Kevin Durant (31 points, 9 assists) and Devin Booker (28 points, 6 assists) once again proved that they are difficult to slow down next to each other.
That makes four straight wins for Phoenix since Devin Bookier returned to action. Conversely, Portland has already suffered a series of eight losses in a row… And this, despite a good effort from Deandre Ayton (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) for his return to his former franchise.
The first quarter gave rise to a duel at a distance between the new pivot of the Blazers, copiously booed by his former fans, who scored 12 of his team’s 21 points, and KD, who totaled 14 of his team’s 34.
Dropped from the start, Portland would count up to 17 points in the second quarter, before Malcolm Brogdon sounded the revolt and brought his team back to level terms, thanks to 11 points in the period. Alongside him, Duop Reath also caused a ruckus with 10 points and Portland remained behind their opponent at half-time (56-51).
But the Suns inevitably take the advantage after returning from the locker room. Jerami Grant (13 points in the period) may try to limit the damage individually, but it is Phoenix who takes control of the match with two former Portlanders, Jusuf Nurkic and Nassir Little (respectively at 11 and 7 units, just that). ‘in the third quarter, alongside a still-present Kevin Durant, 12 points at 5/7 on shots.
Kept at bay throughout the match, the Blazers will not be able to get below the 10-point deficit in the last quarter. Whether it was the two bosses, Durant and Booker, or their lieutenants Nurkic or even Allen, the Suns did the job at the end of the match to win without trembling (120-107).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Suns eliminate the Blazers and remain in the race. After two games of the “In-Season Tournament”, the Suns were not leading with a barely balanced record. Last night, they absolutely had to win to hope to be invited to the final tournament in Las Vegas. They therefore remain in the race, while this victory mechanically eliminates the Blazers, with three defeats in four attempts.
– Kevin Durant rises again in the hierarchy of the best scorers in history. It was in the first quarter of the match that Kevin Durant passed Elvin Hayes into 11th place among the best scorers in the history of the League. KD needed 14 points to overtake him, a total that he scored in the opening period, at a perfect 6/6 on shots. With 27,330 career points, KD can now challenge the Top 10, and Moses Malone at 27,409 points is next on the list…
– Losing comeback for Malcolm Brogdon. The veteran point guard had missed his team’s last five games. Returning to action last night, he seemed pretty good in his legs with 19 points and 5 assists, including a very good 4/5 from 3-point range. But his team still lacked the toughness to hope to win, and that’s eight consecutive defeats!
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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.
