December 16 – Devin Booker had a game-high 28 points and the Phoenix Suns rode a big fourth quarter to take down the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 116-109, on Sunday night.
Despite shooting 1-for-9 from 3-point range, Kevin Durant added 20 points for the Suns, who were without Bradley Beal for a second straight game because of a swollen knee.
Portland has now lost six games in a row. All five Trail Blazers starters scored in double figures, led by Anfernee Simons (20 points) and Jerami Grant (17). Reserve Deni Avdija also had 17 points.
After never leading in the first half, and being down 57-51 at halftime, Portland started the third quarter with an 11-0 run that included a pair of baskets by Shaedon Sharpe to take its first lead.
Phoenix would answer, going ahead 73-71 after back-to-back 3-pointers by Tyus Jones and Booker. The Suns ended up carrying an 83-79 lead into the fourth.
The final frame was all Phoenix. Jusuf Nurkic sparked a 9-0 Suns run with a three-point play after he was fouled on a hook shot, and Phoenix led 94-82 at the eight-minute mark of the period. The Suns’ advantage would reach 16, the biggest lead of the night, on a Jones jumper with 5:57 left.
