"And despite two big-time veteran rotation players, Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday both missing the game due to sickness and injury, the game didn't start out terribly. The crowd was on their feet. First, fans booed trash talking NBA villain Dillion Brooks as he took early free throws (and later again when arguing a call)-a harsh homecoming for the former Oregon Duck star."
"The Suns, powered mostly by their backup point guard Collin Gillespie's hot shooting from three, finishing tied for a team game high of 19-points. It was frustrating to witness Gillespie casually dribble into his fourth wide open three of the night with Yang standing at a good ten feet away in drop defensive coverage. The Blazers' usual pace and defensive intensity just wasn't possible without their veteran defensive stalwarts Grant and Holiday, to go along with the more chronically injured Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley."
The Phoenix Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 at the Moda Center, dropping the Blazers to 6-8. The Blazers showed early energy with Caleb Love scoring 17 off the bench and Chinese-born rookie Yang Hansen providing a spark; the first half ended 64-61. Injuries and illness sidelined Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday, weakening defensive intensity. The Suns seized control in a back-breaking third quarter, fueled by backup Collin Gillespie's hot three-point shooting. The Blazers struggled defensively and offensively without veteran stalwarts and more injured players like Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley. Another game follows tonight.
Read at Portland Mercury
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