The Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers for the second time this season, securing a 116-109 win. The victory improves the Suns’ record to 14:11 and caps the eighth week of the season with a perfect 2-0 result.

Despite a familiar stumble in the third quarter, the Suns remained in control for most of the game, limiting the Trail Blazers’ lead time to just six minutes. Anfernee Simons led Portland with 20 points, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, scoring 15 of 49 points.

Devin Booker led the Phoenix attack and scored a game-high 28 points. Kevin Durant, who contributed 19 points on 9 of 23 shots, continues to be a stabilizing factor. The Suns now boast an impressive 13-2 record in games played by Durant this season.

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Game flow

First half

The Suns were without Brad Beal for the second straight season, adding to a total payroll that Phoenix has missed this season. Coming into tonight, the Suns ranked fourth in the NBA in missed payroll, and with Brad out, that number goes up.

The float game was strong for Tyus Jones early in the game as he connected three times in a hot start from Phoenix, who shot 8 of 13 from the field. The suns have done their damage in terms of color, which is something we are not used to seeing. Even with Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams, III, Phoenix managed to score on defense.

The energy of the rookies was present in hectic plays, something the team desperately needed as both Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro made an early impact.

The Phoenix offense was firing on all cylinders in the first quarter, finishing with a 13-4 run highlighted by two three-pointers from Grayson Allen. The team shot an efficient 50 percent from the field and hit 4 of 9 from distance, securing a 33-21 lead early in the second quarter.

But early in the second period, a flagrant foul by Allen that landed in Shaedon Sharpe’s area gave the Blazers momentum. They used an 8-0 run to cut the Suns’ lead to just five. The run extended to 10-0 as Phoenix struggled offensively, missing eight straight shots.

Kevin Durant had a rough patch from beyond the arc, missing five straight three-pointers, including several open looks. But when Durant made a double shot at midfield, he was unfazed and effortlessly hit his signature shots, living up to the nickname “Easy Money Sniper.”

Meanwhile, the Blazers’ Robert Williams III began to assert himself inside, finding a rhythm with lob catches and emphatic dunks. Often sidelined by injury, Williams embodies the type of interior presence the Suns could use to anchor their own paint game.

Portland outscored Phoenix 30-24 in the second quarter as they shot 54.2% from the field, making the score 57-51 in favor of the Suns at halftime. Phoenix had two personal fouls in the first half. Both were on Grayson Allen

Second half

Portland opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, building on the 7-0 run they used to close the second quarter. That 16-0 lead gave the Blazers their first lead of the game at 60-57. Jusuf Nurkic was at the center of the Suns’ sluggish start, with careless passes, moving screens and missed opportunities on easy shots that directly fueled Portland’s momentum.

A fastbreak bench throw from Devin Booker stopped the bleeding.

Royce O’Neale has taken advantage of Bradley Beal’s absence by coming into the starting lineup and making an impact. In the third quarter, he extended his hot run beyond the arc, hitting two three-pointers to help the Suns maintain their offensive rhythm. The entire team found its range from deep and increased its three-point percentage from 37% in the first half.

Devin Booker led the way in the third period, scoring 12 points in the period, increasing his game total to 24 through three quarters.

The Suns found their chances from beyond the arc in the third quarter, hitting 5 of 12 from deep. Despite going on a 9-0 run against the Blazers to start the period, Phoenix managed to stabilize the game and only had a two-point lead, 28-26. As the game entered the fourth round, the Suns trailed narrowly, 83-79.

The Suns opened the fourth quarter with an 11-3 run, giving themselves some breathing room when the Blazers’ shooting slowed. After struggling all night from beyond the arc, Durant finally made his eighth three-point attempt.

Jusuf Nurkic, who had a difficult start to the second half, found his rhythm late in the game. He became a force on the boards, disrupting shots in the paint and doing the little things — like setting solid screens — that had previously been missing. His resilience was a key factor in stabilizing the Suns’ play.

Midway through the fourth period, Phoenix began to pull away, thanks in part to another outstanding performance from Tyus Jones. Jones has been red hot from beyond the arc in recent games (13 of 18 from three in his last three appearances) and continued his efficiency by adding 19 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from distance.

Portland, like in the last match, managed to hit a few three-pointers late in the game, cutting the lead and making the final score seem closer. But it wasn’t enough. The Suns held firm and secured a 116-109 win.

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The Suns don’t play again until next Thursday when they welcome the Indiana Pacers to town. See you then!