The Suns revive by crushing the Blazers in Portland

Phoenix continues to seduce. The Suns took advantage of the Blazers’ numerous absences (Jrue Holiday etc Jerami Grant especially for this meeting) to have a quiet evening in Portland and win by 17 points.

Without Holiday for the second straight game, the Blazers start without a true leader. The Suns are trying to capitalize on this by having a strong run defense. Address Roy O’Neal and the presence of Mark Williams near the circle do the rest, for a very good start for the guests (7-16). Blazers find solution with ‘two-way deal’ Caleb Loveauthor of the best game of his young career in the first quarter alone (11 points on 4/5, 3 rebounds). Nothing less is needed to make up for the duo’s rough start Shaedon Sharpe – Danny Avdjiawell contained to 5/15 in the first quarter.

Portland pulled back to within one point early in the second quarter, but missed a chance to take the lead. A recurring theme in this first period, as the locals are resilient, weighed down by their outward awkwardness and lack of offensive fluidity down the stretch. Not everything is perfect in the attack for Phoenix either, especially from distance, but the defensive intensity is there. And when things go wrong, Devin Booker takes it upon himself to get his people back on track. Sharpe does the same with his aggressiveness to the rim to sanction the Suns’ drive into the zone late in the second quarter. The Canadian reduced the deficit himself in the last two minutes and everything remained to be done after 24 minutes (61-64).

The Suns are rolling in the third quarter

Recovery is very difficult for Tiago Splitter’s men, with no solution other than their offensive rebounding. Portland starts with 0/10 shooting and five turnovers. Inevitably, Phoenix consoled itself with an advantage of 17 points, which is the first significant deficit in the meeting (63-80). The townspeople do not attack at all, entangled in the enemy’s trap and without the slightest spark.

Quite the opposite of Phoenix, with good contributions Ryan Dunn (5 interceptions) or Very Ighadoro to follow Booker who is not forcing anything. Jordan Goodwin allowing Phoenix to take a 20-length lead to close out the third quarter.

The last act is just a formality for the Suns, who stick to their game plan regardless of the players on the floor. Collin Gillespie he used the opportunity to show (19 points, 6 assists) in “garbage time” extended by the premature departure of the holders Portland, unable to close the gap.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Without a leader, the Blazers are in great difficulty. Without an injured Holiday and with Scoot Henderson or Damian Lillard out, Portland is in dire need of a playmaker. Moved to the provisional position 1, Danny Avdija suffered from good opposing defense (19 points on 7/17, 5 assists). Shaedon Sharpe finished well with 29 points, but the vast majority came from individual feats. Oregon’s players sorely lacked well-constructed systems and open positions. They finished with 24 assists, but above all with 19 turnovers.

– Eight wins in ten games for Sansa. We didn’t expect Phoenix to have this kind of celebration, but this team is holding its own! Very serious and active in defense, she didn’t leave Portland any chances without having to force the attack, like Devin Booker in total control (19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and who didn’t have to return to the game in the fourth quarter. Six players finished above ten points, and none had to exceed 20 points.

– Sidi Sissoko is interesting for the Blazers. With a depleted rotation, Coach Splitter was forced to open up his rotation. He probably won’t have much to criticize about Caleb Love (career-high 17 points), Yang Hansenor that Sidi Cissoko. The Frenchman’s numbers (8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) are very small compared to his contribution to his team’s game thanks to his intensity and creative work that we knew little about.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.