Post by DiamondThief on Feb 5, 2015 6:33:38 GMT -8
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers
What: The Suns visit Portland for the first of two times this season.
When: Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. (pacific).
Blazers Media: Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Suns Media: Radio - AZ Sports 98.7 FM.
National Media: TV - TNT
Previous: Jan 21 - Suns 118, Blazers 113
Note: Tonight is a "Red Out" at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers will be wearing their alternate red uniforms, and each fan will find a red Blazers t-shirt on their seats.
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The Suns are 28-22, 13-12 on the road and 13-16 against Western Conference opponents. They are coming off a 102-101 home loss to the Grizzlies on Feb. 2. They are averaging 106.6 points (4th in the NBA) and giving up 104.9 points (27th). The Suns are third in the Pacific Division and eighth in the conference. The Blazers are 33-16, 21-5 at home and 15-10 against Western Conference opponents. They are coming off a 103-102 home win over the Jazz on Feb. 3. They are averaging 102.4 points (8th in the NBA) and giving up 97.4 points (7th). The Blazers are first in the Northwest Division and fourth in the conference. Pictured below: Blazers' Nicolas Batum; Suns' P.J. Tucker.
PHOENIX SUNS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 17 P.J. Tucker
PF - 11 Markieff Morris
C - 21 Alex Len
SG - 1 Goran Dragic
PG - 2 Eric Bledsoe
RESERVES
G - 99 Reggie Bullock; 10 Zoran Dragic; 4 Tyler Ennis; 20 Archie Goodwin; 3 Isiah Thomas
F - 14 Gerald Green; 15 Marcus Morris; 12 TJ Warren; 32 Brandan Wright
C - 22 Miles Plumlee
INJURY REPORT
none reported
HEAD COACH
Jeff Hornacek
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points - Goran Dragic 16.9
Rebounds - Alex Len 6.0
Assists - Eric Bledsoe 6.0
Blocks - Alex Len 1.5
Steals - Eric Bledsoe 1.7
FG - Goran Dragic 50.2%
FT - Isaiah Thomas 87.6%
3pt - Isiah Thomas 40.0%
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe; 3 CJ McCollum
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURY REPORT
C - 19 Joel Freeland (shoulder) - out
C - 35 Chris Kaman (back) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - LaMarcus Aldridge 23.8
Reb - LaMarcus Aldridge 10.3
Ast - Damian Lillard 6.3
Blk - Robin Lopez 1.5
Stl - Damian Lillard 1.4
FG - Chris Kaman 48.3%
FT - LaMarcus Aldridge 87.2%
3pt - Wesley Matthews 40.3%
ANGI'S TAKE
The Suns have won five of the last six games over the Blazers, including three straight. The Suns feature a potent three-guard rotation with Dragic, Bledsoe and Thomas -- essentially three point guards. Any combination of the three could do some major damage against the Blazers. Thomas scored a season-high 27 points in the first meeting against the Blazers. Markieff Morris and his brother, Marcus, are somewhat interchangeable, but each can rebound and possess some offensive moves. The Blazers could have a rebounding edge if they are active on the boards since Len leads the Suns with just 6 per game, something they lacked at times against the Kings. The Blazers welcomed back Lopez against the Jazz and it looked like he didn't miss a step. Aldridge, who also did not play in the first meeting, has been on a tear since returning from injury. The team will rely heavily on him in this game. Lillard is struggling with his outside shot, but is finding other ways to do damage. Matthews is a staunch defender and leads the NBA in three pointers made. Batum has benefited from Lopez's return, tallying 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists against the Jazz. Leonard can stretch the floor and rebound, and Kaman is an offensive threat. Stotts will likely use Blake heavily to counter the Suns' guard rotation. Matchup to watch: Goran Dragic vs. Wesley Matthews.
OFFICIALS
Scott Foster, Brian Forte, Justin Van Duyne.
QUOTABLE
Suns forward Brandan Wright on the Suns win over the Blazers: "It's not about just one game. It's about this entire season and us making the playoffs."
Blazers guard Wesley Matthews on Lopez's return: "Not only does he help the starting unit, he just helps the team all together because it sets rotations. Everybody is back to what they're accustomed, where they've been playing for so long."
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA I
According to the Suns, Robin Lopez will have a night off when it comes to his battle with NBA mascots, specifically, the Gorilla.
EXTRA II
The Suns are also having a little fun at the TNT analysts' expense.
MATCH UP MEME
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