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The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard, Al-Farouq Aminu, Allen Crabbe and CJ McCollum.
The first half was a surprising mirror of the previous game: The Suns and Blazers played a close game through the half, and Phoenix just looked a little bit better. Lillard kept the Blazers close for a while, shooting an efficient 5-7, including 2-2 from downtown, to keep the Blazers within single digits, but for the second straight game, Portland's defense was betraying their efforts. Phoenix ran their offense for open three after open three. Swish. Eventually they took a 11 point lead late in the second quarter, and the Moda Center faithful groaned. But a 28-foot three-pointer from Al-Farouq Aminu just before the buzzer kept things in single digits.
Halftime: Phoenix 56, Portland 48
With the benefit of a much shorter halftime tonight, the Blazers came out firing, and actually hitting shots this time. Lillard, McCollum, Mason Plumlee, Moe Harkless and Allen Crabbe all scored to tie the game by the halfway point. The Blazers again struggled to stop the Suns offense. Phoenix maintained a small lead late thanks to three-point shooting, but this time the Blazers hit enough shots to keep it within one possession after three..
Third Quarter: Phoenix 74, Portland 71
In the fourth quarter, McCollum finally got the Blazers over the hump, giving them a 75-74 lead with a leaner. Eric Bledsoe gave Phoenix the lead again, and former Blazer Ronnie Price pushed it up to three before a timeout. Aminu put the Blazers ahead one last time, 81-80, before Phoenix took control and scored the next 10 points. Portland had no response, falling meekly to the Suns for the second straight night.
What's Next
A much-needed day off, but have to use it to travel halfway across the country for a "Division Game" against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night. Stay tuned tonight though, Blazer's Edge's Dave Deckard will have extended analysis of tonight's game.