2024-01-15 05:12:02
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Devin Booker finished with 34 points and the Phoenix Suns held off the Trail Blazers 127-116 on Sunday night for their second straight victory.
Bradley Beal added 23 points, Kevin Durant had 21 and Grayson Allen 20. The Suns, who led by as many as 17 points, let Portland cut the lead to four midway through the fourth quarter.
Rookie Scoot Henderson had a career-high 33 points and nine assists for the depleted Trail Blazers. They have lost four in a row and eight of ten. The slump includes a 139-77 loss at Oklahoma City that tied their fifth-worst setback in NBA history.
Henderson got a layup off a fast break and Rayan Rupert added a 3-pointer to pull Portland within 111-107 with 6:33 left, but the Suns responded with a 10-2 run and the Trail Blazers mightn’t get any closer.
Portland only had eight players available. The Blazers announced before the game that Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle would not play due to illness.
They joined a notable list of absentees, including Deandre Ayton (knee), Ibou Badji (hip), Malcolm Brogdon (adductor) and Shaedon Sharpe (adductor).
Portland coach Chauncey Billups said he said Ayton, who played for the Suns before joining the Blazers in the offseason, is close to returning following an 11-game absence.
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