The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns 132-119 in Phoenix on Wednesday behind Damian Lillard’s 25 points, while Devin Booker scored 33 in defeat. The win moves Portland to 6-1, while the Suns slumped to 1-5 in a worrying start to their season.
Blazers keep rolling
Portland’s strong start to the campaign continued with a confident road win. Lillard led the way with 25 points, but the victory was built on balance and ball movement, with the Blazers sharing the scoring load and punishing Phoenix’s defensive lapses. At 6-1, Portland are one of the surprise packages of the early season.
Booker brilliance in vain
Booker did everything he could to drag Phoenix back into the contest, scoring 33 points and keeping the Suns within touching distance for long stretches. But basketball is a team game, and the Suns’ supporting cast could not match Portland’s depth. The defeat extends Phoenix’s losing run to four games, and the pressure is building.
Portland’s 6-1 record makes them one of the surprise packages of the early season, and this confident road win showed why. Lillard’s 25 points led the way, but the victory was built on balance and ball movement, with the Blazers punishing every Phoenix defensive lapse. For the Suns, the 1-5 record and four-game losing run are a long way from where they expected to be, and their home form is a particular concern. Portland’s next test comes on Friday, when they visit the Lakers in Los Angeles.
The Blazers’ balance was the key, with Lillard’s 25 points supported by scoring across the roster. Phoenix, by contrast, relied too heavily on Booker’s 33, and the Suns’ supporting cast could not match Portland’s depth. The four-game losing run has put real pressure on Phoenix, while Portland’s 6-1 start has them dreaming of a return to the playoffs. Friday’s trip to face the Lakers is their next big test.
Suns searching for answers
The Suns’ 1-5 record is a long way from where they expected to be, and their home form is a particular concern. Portland, meanwhile, will take huge confidence from winning on the road against a team with Phoenix’s talent. The Blazers’ next test comes on Friday, when they visit the Lakers in Los Angeles.
