Suns routed again on the road
PORTLAND, Ore. — Damian Lillard had 25 points and eight assists before sitting for the final quarter and the Portland Trail Blaz- ers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 108-86 rout of the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Jake Layman came off the bench to score a careerhigh 24 points for the Blazers.
Troy Daniels had a season-high 15 points for the struggling Suns, who were held to nine points in the first quarter for the second consecutive game and have lost seven straight. Phoenix has just four victories this
POR: 14-11 overall ARI: 4-21 overall
season, and just one on the road.
The Suns started three rookies, Elie Okobo, Mikal Bridges and center Deandre Ayton for the second straight game and third time this season. Phoenix missed T.J. Warren for the fourth straight game because of right ankle soreness and Devin Booker for the second game because of a left hamstring strain. Booker is the team’s top scorer, averaging 23.5 points, while Warren averages 17.7.
The Blazers were without starting guard CJ McCollum because of a sprained left ankle.
The Blazers barely missed McCollum, jumping out to a 26-5 lead after Lillard’s 3-pointer.
Portland led by as many as 27 points in the first half and went into the break ahead 62-41.
It was the first of a backto-back for the Suns, who host Miami on Friday.