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Blazers Keys for Tonight's Matchup Against the Suns
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- Blazers Keys for Tonight's Matchup Against the Suns
(Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers visit the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday night. Portland comes off a road win over Denver on Monday, a game in which they missed key backcourt pieces, Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.
Deni Avdija scored 28 points to go with five assists. Big man Donovan Clingan had a monster 17 points and 18 rebounds on 8-of-16 shooting. Nine of those rebounds were on the offensive glass.
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Portland is preparing to take the court without Morant for the third consecutive game. Morant is out for at least four weeks with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain he suffered on Oct. 29. Lillard is expected to play tonight.
The Blazers enter the conference showdown at 5-1 and third in the Western Conference. Phoenix has started the 2026-27 campaign slowly, coming in at 1-4.
Here is what to watch for:
Start fast
In the season opener on Oct. 21, Portland won 124-83 and led by 43-12 after the first quarter. The game was decided right then and there. Phoenix hasn't won in over a week, and the fans will be desperate for a win. Another fast start can put the game away early.
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Make Phoenix hit 3-pointers
The Suns shot a dismal 6-for-31 in the opener against Portland's 19-of-47.
Phoenix ranks 12th in the league in team three-point percentage at 35.1%, averaging around 13 made 3-pointers per game.
If they can run Devin Booker and Luke Kennard off the line, they will be in good shape. Booker scored 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting and drew seven fouls. Portland can live off of Booker getting his as long as they can limit free-throw opportunities.
Continue to dominate in the paint
Phoenix could be missing a majority of their frontcourt tonight. Mark Williams is out with a shoulder injury, and Rasheer Fleming is questionable with an ankle injury.
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Portland scored 50 points in the paint and had 16 rebounds with 26 second-chance points in the last matchup. Starting center Khaman Maluach only hauled in six rebounds. Clingan and Robert Williams III should be able to keep dominating in the interior.
Portland has won four straight games on the road. The only loss they have suffered this season was at home to Memphis. The Suns will surely come out with more fire. A team that's 1-4 and lost to Portland by 41 a few weeks ago will play harder.
