Kevin Durant’s streak of 20-point outings came to an end on Friday, but the potency of the Phoenix Suns wasn’t affected.
Now, the Suns will seek another strong offensive performance on Saturday night when they visit the Trail Blazers for the first of two consecutive games in Portland.
The teams also will meet on Monday night.
Durant scored just 19 points on Friday night after recording 20 or more in 23 straight outings in a streak that began Dec. 13. However, Phoenix matched its second-highest output of the season in a stellar 130-105 road win over the Golden State Warriors.
“Just a strong mentality, no matter what’s going out there and just doing my job,” Durant said of his consistency. “No matter what arena, no matter who’s on the floor, just sticking to my game plan and my routine and relying on my coaches and teammates to make it easier for me as well.”
The Suns have won nine of their past 12 games as they enter the second contest of a four-game road trip that will end Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Devin Booker had 31 points and 11 assists in the rout of the Warriors, and he and Durant each made five treys. Bradley Beal also played well, with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field.
Booker said the club’s surge is coming at the right time.
“I think it’s an important time of year,” he said. “Always right before the (All-Star) break, you want to set yourself up in a better position coming out of the break.
“We have a four-game road trip, and this is the first one. It’s good momentum going into the next one.”
Phoenix notched a season-high 41 assists in the win over the Warriors, and recently acquired Nick Richards added 14 points and 16 rebounds.
The Trail Blazers are enjoying their best stretch of the season, with six wins in the past seven games. Four of the victories have come by double digits.
Portland ruined Damian Lillard’s second trip back to town with a 125-112 win over his Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday and followed with a 119-90 trampling of the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The Trail Blazers also won in Orlando by 22 points last week.
This time, Portland struggled in the first period before outscoring the Magic 91-55 over the final three quarters.
“We got off to a tough start. Another tough first quarter for us,” Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “That was a little disappointing, knowing that they were gonna come out and fight. We just played them not too long ago. So we knew that they were coming to try to get their lick back.”
Scoot Henderson had 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points off the bench. Deandre Ayton excelled with 10-of-12 shooting from the field while notching 22 points and eight rebounds.
Deni Avdija had just 11 points on 2-of-8 shooting after achieving season highs of 28 and 30 points over the previous two games. He also is playing well on defense and has 14 steals over the past eight contests.
“He’s always willing to listen to what everybody has to say, whether it’s good or bad, coaches or even players,” Portland guard Anfernee Simons told reporters of Avdija. “His ability to just adapt to what’s going on. Me and him have been having constant communication on what to look for.”
Forward Jerami Grant (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday. He exited early in the third quarter against the Bucks and then sat out Thursday vs. the Magic.
The Suns have won the past four meetings with Portland, including two this season.
–Field Level Media
