Blazers Make Up Ground On 8-Seed With 121-105 Win Over Phoenix

PORTLAND, Ore. [AP] — Damian Lillard had 25 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a much-needed 121-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Blazers, who were among several teams vying to pull in front of Memphis for the eighth playoff spot in the West.

The Blazers face the Grizzlies on Thursday.

“They’re the team that we’re chasing. Sixteen games left,” Lillard said. “So it’s a game on our home floor, a game that we are more than capable of winning. We’ve just got to come prepared, come sharp and get it done. That’s what it comes down to.”

Trevor Ariza and CJ McCollum had 22 points apiece and Hassan Whiteside added 16 points and 14 rebounds for Portland.

Lillard’s 3-pointer put Portland up 119-101 with 1:37 left and sealed the win. Lillard finished with five 3s and had seven assists.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Suns, who were led by Devin Booker with 29 points. Dario Saric added 22 points and 11 rebounds.

“They hit shots, they hit shots and we missed some,” Booker said. “We kept fighting and I’m proud of this team for that. That’s never been a question or problem for us.”

Cameron Johnson missed his third straight game for the Suns because of mononucleosis. Deandre Ayton was questionable, but missed his third straight game with a left ankle sprain.

Carmelo Anthony‘s pull-up jumper gave the Blazers an early 26-15 lead. Portland led by as many as 12 points, but the Suns closed the gap in the second quarter, pulling within 44-40 on Saric’s 3 pointer.

Booker’s jumper put Phoenix ahead 49-48 with 4:23 left before the half but the Blazers had a 54-53 edge at the break.

Phoenix rallied in the third, going up 63-60 on Aron Baynes‘ basket. Portland again reclaimed the lead and went into the final period ahead 82-78.

Lillard’s 3-pointer midway through the fourth gave Portland a 101-88 lead. The Blazers led by as many as 18 points in the last quarter.