Suns defeat Trail Blazers 109-88 on New Year’s Day to start 2024

In 2024, the Phoenix Suns (18-15) continued their winning streak to four games by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers (9-23) 109-88. They did so without missing a beat.

The Suns were once again without one of the “Big 3” in Kevin Durant, who was sidelined by tightness in his right hamstring. Bradley Beal scored 21 points and Jusuf Nurkic added 18 in Durant’s absence. Devin Booker scored ten points in the win that evening.

With a 50% field goal clip right out of the gate, the Trail Blazers led 29–20. In the first twelve minutes, Jerami Grant scored nine points, leading all players.

The game’s rhythm and flow were abruptly altered for Phoenix when Bol Bol entered the game just before the second quarter was set to start.

Bol’s season high in his first year in the valley was six points.

The 7’3″ big man scored five points in the second quarter alone tonight, including a Euro-step that resulted in a dunk.

The Suns would go on a 14-0 run and outscore Portland 35-18 after head coach Frank Vogel turned to Bol, leading 55-47 at the break. Bol scored 11 points in the end.

Vogel stated, “He’s (Bol) been working hard to just play the game with discipline.” Few turnovers, few fouls, and good shot selection. He is obviously very talented and very tall. He played a really good game, in my opinion.

Phoenix then dominated the Trail Blazers, leading by as much as 26 points, from that point on.

Portland had brief spurts during the game where they would take the lead, but as the Suns outrebounded them 47-36 and shot 26.7% from three, the game slipped away from them.

With 17 points, Trail Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson led his team, while Grant finished with 15 in the defeat.

Nurkic had a single response when asked what the Suns had changed in this recent run.

“Bradley Beal,” stated Nurkic. “Bradley Beal completely transformed our group. People are not understanding. It’s really easy. For us, it makes all the difference that he is even there.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Phoenix will host the Los Angeles Clippers (19-12) and ASU alum James Harden to continue their six-game homestand at Footprint Center.

Conversely, Portland will try to recover from their loss this evening when they play the Dallas Mavericks (19-15) on January 3.

Read more news on sporttoday.co.uk