Trail Blazers @ Suns game thread 2-24-18

[Mainstreet]

Saturday the Trail Blazers visit the Suns after beating the Jazz in Utah 100-81 on Friday. The Suns played Friday as well with different results losing to the Clippers 128-117.

Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and televised on FSAZ.

The Suns have lost 8 straight games.

Lots of frustration building after the way the Suns lost to the Clippers.

The Suns were down 29-5 midway through the first quarter Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers – yes, 29-5 – when Dragan Bender caught an Elfrid Payton bounce pass and found himself all alone under the basket.

Bender never hesitated. Instead of going up for an uncontested dunk, he whipped a pass to the corner for Marquese Chriss, who missed a 3-point shot.

The Suns’ bench reacted in astonishment, as if to say, “You’ve got to be kidding.”

Imagine how the fans at Talking Stick Resort Arena felt.

by Scott Bordow, azcentral sports Published 2:01 p.m. MT Feb. 23, 2018 | Updated 10:44 p.m. MT Feb. 23, 2018

https://wwwEdit.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2018/02/23/phoenix-suns-game-clippers-nba-score-friday/367847002/

 

[Mainstreet]

Here are the starters:

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Suns starters: Payton, Booker, Warren, Bender, Len

Blazers starters: Lillard, McCollum, Harkless, Aminu, Nurkic

5:03 PM - 24 Feb 2018

Tyson Chandler is out.

 

[Mainstreet]

Davon Reed has been recalled per Bordow.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Blazers score two quick dunks to lead 4-0. One was on a steal.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nurkic is getting great looks but is mostly missing.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 1st quarter:

Trail Blazers 28 - Suns 24

Jackson received a technical I believe for complaining about a no-call.

 

[Mainstreet]

Halftime:

Trail Blazers lead 55 -50.

The Suns benefited from the Trail Blazers only shooting 1-13 from 3 point range, however, this is not to take away from the Suns improved effort on defense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Len is starting to take some mid-range outside shots of late and making some.

 

[Mainstreet]

All of a sudden the Suns lead 64-61 with 8:41 in the 3rd quarter.

I wish Len could play like this all the time with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Even when Len plays well lately its frustrating because you know it won’t last.

 

[Hoop Head]

Even when Len plays well lately its frustrating because you know it won’t last.

I still cringe when he gets the ball. I don't think that will stop anytime soon. 5 years of stone hands and bad decisions are hard to get past.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nurkic chases Payton outside and makes him pay going to the basket and gets two FTs.

Payton has 8 points and 9 assists.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Yikes. I have the game recording. I'm looking forward to a nice close loss.

 

[Hoop Head]

After 8 losses in a row 1 win isn't bad. Hopefully they don't build on their win though. If they could lose 8 for each 1 they win I think that should put us in good position for the lottery.

 

[Bada0Bing]

it's too close though. 6 teams with 18 wins. we can't afford another win

 

[BC867]

The Suns, and their defense, sure came to life in the 3rd quarter. Twelve minutes to go.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 3rd quarter:

Suns 81 - Trail Blazers 71

Connaughton is a Suns killer. LOL

 

[82CardsGrad]

Chriss is just painful to watch...

 

[Mainstreet]

The Blazers look like they want to make a game of it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Blazers will not give up on the 3 point shot. They are 3-23.

 

[BC867]

I see that Peyton hasn't lost the "bangs" yet. I really thought that he'd compromise. But then, his assists and defense are what really matters.

 

[Mainstreet]

I see that Peyton hasn't lost the "bangs" yet. I really thought that he'd compromise. But then, his assists and defense are what really matters.

We may have adapt but I don't think his pony tail can get much longer or he will not be able to see.

 

[BC867]

You have to watch the shot clock, Alex.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Blazers cut it to a 4 point lead. This game is far from over with 4:01 left in the 4th.

 

[Mainstreet]

Lillard repaying Booker with a 3 point dagger of his own. Game tied with 1:10 left.