The Portland Trail Blazers continued their surprising winning ways Saturday night at the Moda Center with their second most impressive victory during their run of seven wins in eight games. The Blazers won 127-108 over a hot Phoenix Suns team that had won 10 out of their last 14 games, including a 25-point win Friday night at the Golden State Warriors. The Suns had the best two players on the court in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and they combined for 57 points.
But the Blazers outplayed that duo with seven players scoring in double figures while living in the paint. A similar team effort played out in the Blazers’ 125-112 win Tuesday night over the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Against the Suns, the Blazers scored 66 points in the painted area while the Suns managed just 32.
Portland also took amazing care of the basketball, committing just three turnovers through three quarters while scoring 17 points off of the Suns’ 13 turnovers to that point. The Blazers ended with nine turnovers. Center Deandre Ayton led the Blazers with 24 points and seven rebounds against his former team.
He shot 11 of 12 from the field. Anfernee Simons scored 16 with seven assists. Scoot Henderson came off the bench to score 13 points to go with nine assists.
Portland built a nine-point lead in the first quarter but trailed 34-33 early in the second. The Blazers closed out the half in dominating fashion to lead 61-46 at halftime. Led by Simons’ 14 points in.
