PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns lose badly in Portland: By the Numbers

Mar 31, 2015, 5:13 AM | Updated: 5:14 am

Follow @AZSports...

It was the most Monday-ish of Monday games for the Phoenix Suns, who scored just 16 points in the third quarter in a 109-86 road loss to Portland.

The Blazers secured a playoff spot with the win over the lethargic Suns behind Damian Lillard’s 19 points.

Phoenix’s fourth-straight loss couldn’t have come at a worse time, as their playoff hopes are nearing “nonexistent” status and they’ll six of their last eight games on the road.

After an early 15-8 jump by the Suns, Portland rallied to push a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Phoenix closed out the half on 51 percent shooting and a dunk by Gerald Green, but the Blazers went on a 17-4 run to open the third quarter — during which the Suns scored only 16 points.

Alex Len left the game in the second half with a possible broken nose and Portland finished the effort easily to improve to 30-7 at home.

What did the Suns’ sleepy effort look like, by the numbers?

11

The Morris twins scored 11 points apiece and only combined for seven rebounds — a far cry from their last performance, in which they combined for 39 points and 16 rebounds.

5 (part I)

The Suns’ 16-point third quarter marked the team’s fifth consecutive sub-20-point third quarter.

5 (part II)

Eric Bledsoe committed five of Phoenix’s 12 turnovers.

87

The Suns had more shot attempts (87) than they had points, and made 38 of them for 48 percent shooting from the field.

47-38

Portland also won the glass game, outrebounding the Suns 47-38.

13

Small signs of life showed from T.J. Warren and Gerald Green, who both came off the bench to score 13 points apiece.

Warren also had what may have been the only “hustle play” of the game, diving on the floor for a loose ball that ultimately got kicked out of bounds by teammate Brandan Wright.

8-27

Phoenix is now 8-27 when trailing opponents after three quarters.

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant...

Dan Bickley

Legacies are on the line for Suns stars entering the playoffs

Legacy is a central theme on the eve of the Suns’ 2023-24 postseason journey, starting with the reputation of Devin Booker.

2 hours ago

Karl-Anthony Towns posts up Kevin Durant...

Arizona Sports

Who’s the favorite? Our roundtable makes Suns-Wolves playoff series predictions

Let's make our predictions for the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves' first-round playoff series.

6 hours ago

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoeni...

Kellan Olson

Who will win trade-off of Timberwolves’ size vs. Suns’ space?

The Minnesota Timberwolves' size and the Phoenix Suns' spacing will make for a fun stylistic clash in the NBA Playoffs.

11 hours ago

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant...

Nick Borgia

Team USA’s Grant Hill delivers Olympics jerseys to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant

Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant officially accepted the invitation to compete on USA's 12-man squad for the Paris Olympics.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is overconfidence the biggest concern with the Suns in their playoff series with the Timberwolves?

Having not lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves all season, Wolf & Luke wonder if the Phoenix Suns might be a little overconfident heading into their first round playoff series with them.

1 day ago

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Bradley Beal #3...

Kellan Olson

Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic must maintain footing for Suns playoffs series vs. T-Wolves

Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic must step up to help the Phoenix Suns' first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns lose badly in Portland: By the Numbers