The Game After a Buzzer-Beater: Suns and Blazers

Phoenix Suns (22-44) v Portland Trailblazers (28-36)

Sunday 3/12/2017 6:00pm
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Fox Sports Arizona/Arizona Sports 98.7FM

Season Series – Series tied 1-1
All-Time Series – Phoenix leads 120-97
Last Matchup – November 8, 2016 Portland won 124-121
Suns’ Last Game – Win over the Dallas Mavericks 100-98
Trailblazers’ Last Game – Loss to the Washington Wizards 125-124
Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 107.7 (8th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 112.7 (29th of 30)
Trailblazers’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 108.5 (6th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 110.6 (26th of 30)

Preview

Last night the Phoenix Suns defeated an opponent on a buzzer-beating shot for the fourth time this season, and for the second time, the game winner was sunk by Devin Booker. The Suns trailed the Dallas Mavericks late when Booker took the team on his back over the final 2:22 scoring eight points over that stretch, including the final shot that gave the Suns a 100-98 win, stunning the road crowd. Devin Booker finished with a game-high 36 points, three off of his career-high set earlier this season against the Mavericks, in Mexico City. For a full recap and information about several other career-high’s set by Suns players last night, read here.

The Portland Trailblazers were also involved in a buzzer-beating game last night, however they came up on the short-end as former Sun Markieff Morris nailed a jumper with .4 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Washington Wizards a one-point win. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard finished with a combined 77 points, 13 assists, and 3 rebounds.

The Suns and Blazers last met all the way back on November 8, on the night of the United States’ Presidential election. Portland opened the game up with a 42-25 lead after one, and though the Suns battled back and were given a chance to tie late, they were unable to pull it off. The regular season’s first meeting also took place on a historic night, the night of the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series in 108 years. In fact, when Michael Martinez grounded out securing the Cubs’ win in the 10th inning, it was a matter of only a about five seconds later that Eric Bledsoe hit his three-pointer to secure the Suns’ overtime victory as well.

The Bledsoe buzzer-beater was the first of what so far this season is four of that kind, two more (including last night’s against Dallas) by Devin Booker, and one last week against Boston by Tyler Ulis.

Three Interesting Stats

Phoenix Suns

1. Tonight will be Phoenix’s tenth Sunday game of the season. So far they are 2-7.

2. Although not necessarily indicative of the chance to win or lose a game in the final seconds, after last night the Suns are now 9-5 in game decided by 3 points or less. However, when stretched out to 6 points or less, their record slumps to 11-15

3. Following their victory last week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Suns are now 5-6 on the second half of a back-to-back. On average the Suns are outscored 106.3-113.0.

Portland Trailblazers

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1. Tonight’s game in Phoenix is also Portland’s tenth game this season on a Sunday. The Blazers are slightly more successful than the Suns in those games and are 4-5 thus far.

2. The Blazers do not fair quite as well in close games as the Suns do and are 6-8 in games whose outcome was decided by 3 points or less. Oddly enough, in games where the outcome is decided by a maximum of 6 points, they are 12-16.

3. Having played last night at home before heading to Phoenix, the Blazers are also playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Portland is 4-6 in such games. On average the Blazers are outscored in the second game 106.3-107.6.