Suns at Trail Blazers
The Phoenix Suns posted a convincing victory on the front end and look
to sweep a home-and-home against the Portland Trail Blazers when the
scene shifts to the Pacific Northwest on Saturday. Guard Eric Bledsoe
scored 22 points and center Tyson Chandler contributed 15 points and 13
rebounds in Friday's 110-92 victory in Phoenix.
Chandler's performance was much better than his club debut against Dallas on Wednesday when he got into early foul trouble and had just three points and six rebounds in 17 minutes. The Suns signed the veteran to bulk up their defense and rebounding, and Chandler's boardwork led to a 55-42 advantage on the glass against the Trail Blazers. Portland shooting guard C.J. McCollum struggled after scoring a career-best 37 in the season opener against New Orleans and was just 7-of-22 shooting for 16 points against Phoenix. Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard also was below par with 7-of-20 shooting despite scoring a game-high 24 points.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), KGW (Portland)
ABOUT THE SUNS (1-1): Point guard Brandon Knight scored 18 points against Portland and is still adjusting to sharing the ball-handling duties with Bledsoe. Knight was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks prior to last season's trading deadline and played just 11 games with Phoenix before injuring his left ankle and eventually undergoing surgery. The Suns signed the 23-year-old Knight to a five-year, $70 million contract during the summer and view him as one of the cornerstones of their future.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (1-1): Because Portland lost four starters off last season's squad, there are ample opportunities for newcomers to step up. One player trying to make his mark is journeyman small forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Suns and is averaging 12.5 points and nine rebounds through two games. The 25-year-old Aminu was a reserve for Dallas last season after starting for New Orleans the previous two seasons and has never lived up to his billing as the eighth overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers have won 10 of the past 12 home meetings.
2. Phoenix PF Markieff Morris is just 7-of-23 shooting over the first two games.
3. Portland rookie F Cliff Alexander (knee) is out and surgery to repair cartilage damage is an option.