On December 15, Beijing time, the suns and the trail blazers, the two major western powerhouses, met in the narrow road of the regular season. In this game, both teams played a high-quality offensive and defensive performance.
Suns vs Trail Blazers
The Suns, led by Chris Paul, Ayton, Payne, James Johnson, Jack Broader and others, played a fluid offense. At halftime, the Suns led by six points.
In the second half, the Suns continued to exert efforts at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends. After Bridges hit a long-range shot, the Suns extended the deficit to 14 points in the first half of the third quarter. However, the Blazers Lillard and Nurkic Powell joined forces to cut points and help the Blazers launch a crazy counterattack. At the end of the third quarter, the Blazers rebounded by two points.
Powell defends Ayton
In the final quarter, the two teams continued to fight. The point difference is always between single digits, and the two teams alternate leads, making it difficult to score up and down. With 22 seconds left before regular time, Norman Powell scored a free throw to help the Trail Blazers back by two points. Paul, on the other hand, scored on a single Covington mid-range shot to help the Suns draw 102 with their opponents, and the two sides entered overtime.
In extra time, the two teams were once again locked in a fight. Ayton scored a key goal to give the Suns a three-point lead. After that, Payne hit all two free throws to help the Suns seal the win. Lillard, under Paul's defense, failed to hit a three-pointer. Paul got the key rebound and the game time was over. The Suns narrowly won 111-107.
Paul singles Lillard
Prior to this campaign, the Suns were second in the West, eight places ahead of the tenth-place Trail Blazers, with 10.5 wins. The Blazers had a chance to beat the Suns in this game. However, thanks to Paul's excellent performance, the Suns still laughed to the end. The Suns, who turned down upsets, also turned down a 14-point comeback.
Refuse to be upset! Reject 14 points reversal! The Suns narrowly beat the Trailblazers and chase the Warriors! Paul 24+14!
After winning the game, the Suns' record reached 22-5. The Suns continue to rank second in the league and the West. Meanwhile, the Suns are keeping up with the Golden State Warriors (23-5). The Suns are currently just 0.5 wins behind the Warriors. The Suns still have a great chance to overtake the Warriors and return to the top of the league.
The Warriors continue to lead the league
In this game, the Suns backcourt core Chris Paul performed well. Paul played 41 minutes, shooting 10-of-19, 1-of-1 from three-point range and 3-of-4 from the free throw line, and had a quasi-triple-double of 24 points, 8 rebounds, 14 assists and 3 steals. Paul, with a 53 percent shooting percentage in the game, blasted down the team's second-highest score. Paul, on the offensive end of the hand feels bursting.
In addition, Paul is the king of assists for this game. Under Paul's tandem, the Suns achieved a 5-man double-double and all-out soldier. Paul, very well activated the Suns' offensive system.
Paul connects with Ayton
Paul, there is also a wonderful defensive performance. Paul, who grabbed the second most rebounding ball in the team, is also the steal king of the game. Paul's defensive performance at key moments is also worthy of recognition.
Paul, who singled Covington in the final moments of the regular season, hit a solid 2-pointer to help the Suns drag the game into overtime. In extra time, Paul continued to output at both ends of the attack and defense. Paul was instrumental in the Suns' narrow victory over their opponents.
Paul faces Covington's jumper
Two-team stats
Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard 31 points, 2 boards, 10 assists and 1 block, Norman Powell 23 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, Nurkic 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, Nance Jr. 9 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, Covington 8 points and 7 rebounds, Snell 8 points, Simmons 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, Little 3 points and 5 rebounds.
Suns: Chris Paul 24 points, 8 rebounds, 14 assists and 3 steals, Ayton 28 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, Payne 17 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds, Cameron Johnson 12 points and 8 rebounds, Crowder 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, Bridges 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Shamet 7 points, 3 assists, McGee 4 points and 7 rebounds.