Trail Blazers: The Portland Trail Blazers entered the new year facing a challenging matchup against the Phoenix Suns, resulting in a disappointing 109-88 loss. The absence of key starters Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton posed a significant challenge for the Blazers, although they welcomed Shaedon Sharpe back to the lineup. However, the setback continued as Toumani Camara was unavailable for the game.
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Despite the Suns also missing the services of Kevin Durant, the Trail Blazers struggled to find their rhythm. Scoot Henderson led the team with 17 points and six assists, while Jerami Grant contributed 15 points.
Unfortunately, the Blazers’ overall shooting performance was subpar, with a 41.3% field goal percentage and a 26.7% success rate from beyond the arc. Furthermore, the team committed 19 turnovers, hindering their chances of securing a victory.
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In the absence of Durant, the Suns relied on Bradley Beal, who delivered an impressive 21 points. However, Devin Booker struggled, managing only 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting. The fourth quarter witnessed the Blazers trailing 104-81 with under two minutes to go, culminating in a 109-88 defeat.
The Suns Capitalized on This, Shooting 55% from The Field
The third quarter proved to be decisive, with the Suns extending their dominance, outscoring the Blazers 31-14. Portland struggled with a 29.4% shooting accuracy and committed six additional turnovers. The Suns capitalized on this, shooting 55% from the field and converting 5 of 8 three-point attempts, ultimately securing an 86-61 lead.
As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Suns held a 55-47 advantage. The second quarter saw Phoenix dominating with a 36-18 run, while the Blazers struggled with a 38.9% shooting accuracy and seven turnovers. Scoot Henderson continued to showcase his skills, scoring 13 points in the first half. However, Devin Booker’s struggles continued, shooting just 1 of 9 from the field.
The first quarter offered a glimmer of hope for the Trail Blazers, who dominated with a 29-20 lead. The team displayed efficient shooting at 50%, committing only one turnover, while holding the Suns to a 30.4% shooting accuracy. Jerami Grant and Scoot Henderson played pivotal roles, scoring nine and seven points, respectively.
The Trail Blazers will Have Shaedon Sharpe Available
Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns, the Trail Blazers will have Shaedon Sharpe available, but Toumani Camara will be absent. The Suns will be without Kevin Durant. Rookie Scoot Henderson will continue to start, showcasing promising performances in previous games. The Blazers hope for an improved outcome in this matchup.
Game Details:
- Date: Monday
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix
- Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM)
- TV: Root Sports (Comcast 734; DirecTV: 687) and Root Sports PLUS (Comcast 1253; DirecTV: 688)
For those unable to attend, the game can be watched live on Fubo with a free trial or on DirecTV Stream’s “CHOICE” package. The odds favor the Suns, with a moneyline of PHX -425 and a spread of POR +9.5.
In terms of injuries, the Blazers have several key players unavailable, including Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton, and Robert Williams III. The Suns will miss Kevin Durant and Damion Lee, with Eric Gordon listed as questionable.
The Trail Blazers‘ next challenges include 5:30 p.m. games on Wednesday and Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. Fans are encouraged to check for updates as the team seeks to bounce back from their recent defeat.
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