Suns at Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers look to defeat Phoenix for the 10th consecutive time when they host the Suns on Saturday. Portland won this season's first two meetings by an average of 18 points as it looks to finish off a three-game season sweep.
Star point guard Damian Lillard scored a season-best 51 points - notching his fifth career 50-point outing - but the Trail Blazers fell 129-121 in overtime to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. "He kept us going," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters after the loss. "He was aggressive going to the basket, made tough floaters, made timely shots. ... Damian was outstanding." The Suns have won three straight games and four of their last five since enduring a franchise-worst 17-game losing streak. Star guard Devin Booker scored a season-best 41 points in Wednesday's 107-96 home win over the New York Knicks and matched his career best of six 3-point baskets.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, NBCS Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE SUNS (15-51): Booker scored 20 or more points in each of the past seven games and is averaging 27.1 points during the stretch. Booker made 14-of-23 shots against the Knicks as he said he "felt it" from the outset but he was more pleased with the team's winning streak. "What feels better is three wins in a row,” Booker told reporters. “So we keep trying to build on that and I keep saying that after every game. Every game is a new test for us and we’re moving in the right direction.”
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (39-26): Lillard is looking at the Suns as a dangerous team and the whole club is mindful that Phoenix recently rallied to beat the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks. "In this league, you can't look at teams' records," Lillard told reporters after the Oklahoma City game. "It really is set up to have bad performances and get beat. Not only are they a team that is capable but they are playing well right now." The Bucks, the best team in the league by record, they beat them." Lillard was 15-of-28 from the field against the Thunder and set career highs for free throws made (18) and attempted (20).
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Lillard averaged 24.5 points and 5.5 assists in this season's wins over the Suns.
2. Portland SG CJ McCollum scored 25 points against Oklahoma City and tallied at least 25 in four of the past six games.
3. Phoenix SF Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 18 points against the Knicks and is averaging 19.8 points over the last eight games.