By Field Level Media
Nov 05 (Field Level Media) – Damian Lillard tied a season high with 25 points, Deni Avdija had 21 points and 12 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns 132-119 on Wednesday to remain unbeaten on the road.
Donovan Clingan had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his second straight double- double, and reserve Jrue Holiday had 15 points and a season-high five 3-pointers for the Blazers, who improved to 5-0 on the road and 6-1 overall. It is their best start since opening 10-1 in 1999-2000.
The 1999-2000 team reached the Western Conference finals before losing a seven-game series to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Devin Booker scored 33 points before fouling out for the second straight game. Jalen Green added 22 points, and Miles Bridges contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Suns, who have lost four straight.
Booker went to the dressing room with 2:51 left in the third quarter after appearing to be struck on the head by Robert Williams III during a layup attempt. Booker returned with 9:59 remaining but did not score again before fouling out.
Lillard’s short jumper in the final minute of the third quarter pushed the Blazers’ lead to 22 points. They led 104-85 entering the fourth.
Bridges’ jumper brought the Suns within 13 at 120-107 with 4:11 left in regulation, but they never got closer than nine points. Bridges made four 3-pointers.
Portland’s 5-0 road start is its second-longest season-opening road winning streak since 1990-91, when the Blazers won their first eight games away from home.
Portland shot 51.2% from the field and held a 47-39 rebounding edge. Entering the game, the Suns were tied for 30th in rebounding margin, while Portland led the league in rebounding percentage. Avdija and Williams each grabbed eight rebounds.
Portland has won both meetings this season. The Blazers scored the first 21 points in a 124-83 season-opening victory over the visiting Suns on Oct. 21, when Lillard also scored 25 points.
On Wednesday, the Blazers opened a double-digit lead with a 43-25 run in the second quarter to take a 72-59 advantage. Holiday and Lillard had nine points apiece — Holiday on three 3-pointers — and Clingan added eight points during the stretch, when Portland shot 14-for-19 from the field.
(–Field Level Media)
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