Suns Shine Bright in Preseason: Soaring to a 3-1 Record with Another Victory

Tonight, in their second meeting against Portland, the Suns won a convincing home game. After tonight’s game, fans of the Phoenix Suns have even more faith in their super team.

Final score: Suns - 117, Trail Blazers - 106

Three Major Players Did Their Thing

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Even though none of the three Suns starters reached the 20-minute mark tonight, the team still managed to score 49 points. It was a 19-point, 4-assist double-double by Durant and Booker. Booker scored 17 of his total points in the opening period. Bradley Beal’s 11 points on 2-7 shooting was the lowest total among the three. Beal added two assists, with a fantastic crossover and a nice dump off to his big man contributing to the first.

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots a jumper over Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

  

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) makes a 3-pointer over Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Defense in Place

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is pressured by Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

The Suns had a fantastic defensive performance. The Phoenix Suns’ defense was led by Jordan Goodwin, who recorded four thefts in just four minutes of action. Three Trail Blazers who played more than ten minutes were held to five points or less by the Suns. Phoenix was also successful in limiting Portland’s three-point shooting to below the league average (just 18.9%).

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) calls a play against the Portland Trail Blazers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Today, Grayson Allen started for the Suns instead of Josh Okogie. Both have been competing for the fifth and final starting slot. Allen shot 5 for 9 from the field and scored 13 points, also dishing out 2 assists. Okogie contributed 8 points, 5 boards, and 2 helpers. Okogie played 21 minutes and Allen played 20, so they were quite evenly matched. Of all Suns players, Josh Okogie had the best plus/minus rating (+20). The plus/minus for Allen was +18.

Oct 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and forward Drew Eubanks (14) battle for the ball with Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

In their final exhibition game, the Phoenix Suns will once again travel the road. On Thursday, the 19th, the Suns will take their basketball team to Los Angeles to take on LeBron and the Lakers. The game will start at 7:00 p.m. PST.

Devin Booker shoots a three-pointer.

© 2023
error: Content is protected !!