The Phoenix Suns won what could have been the most exhilarating game of the year over the Portland Trailblazers to extend their winning streak to two.
Not going to play the role of a faux unbiased observer here, this win felt good. After suffering heart-breaking loss after gut-wrenching defeat over the past few weeks, the Phoenix Suns climbed back from an early 19-point deficit to give the Portland Trailblazers some much deserved revenge after their one-point theft of a win the last time the two matched up.
What a way to close out a decade.
With all the turmoil stemming from the team’s eight-game losing streak, the Suns needed this type of win to help erase those negative emotions. Even after their win over the Sacramento Kings Saturday night, the elation you might expect wasn’t there because it was a blown wide-open 3-pointer by Harrison Barnes that gifted the victory to the Suns.
This one, though. This one was earned.
The Suns know what it feels like to blow huge early game leads, so to return the favor on someone else was fun to watch.
The way the Blazers obtained said lead was through what looked like NBA 2K shooting with the sliders all the down to easy. They seemingly didn’t miss. However, averages often derive, their shooting dropped off, allowing the Suns to inch back in it until they seized the lead and kept it.
The beginning of the year was exciting, but this might have been the most invigorating win of the season. Hopefully the Suns can use this as a stepping stone, or better yet, a trampoline to propel forward.
A few takeaways from this masterful performance:
Kisses for everyone
The story of the night was all the kisses Kelly Oubre Jr. was blowing to the crowd after his career high in 3-pointers made in a game.
Tsunami Papi shot 7 of 10 from deep and sent love out into the stands after each one with a barrage of air kisses.
That love, unsurprisingly, was not reciprocated. Trailblazers fans booed the enigmatic Suns star, which only made Oubre smile that much wider and send that many more smooches into the stands.
Simply put, Kelly Oubre is awesome. He just is. He is so much fun to watch, his energy is contagious, and his swagger is unlike anyone else’s in the league.
My favorite of his 29 points tonight came at the end of the first half, right after Aron Baynes knocked down a 3, Kelly quickly stole the inbounds pass, dribbled it quickly outside, and nailed a 3-pointer of his own, giving the Suns six points in about three seconds.
He played like the best version of himself, and when he does that, the Suns are tough to beat.
Everyone played their part
After the game, Eddie Johnson likened the Portland crowed to that of a theater audience. While loud, they often sit back and take everything in.
What they saw Monday night, not unlike a good Broadway show, was a Phoenix Suns team in which everyone played their role and did it very well.
The Spanish Maestro, Ricky Rubio, conducted a beautiful orchestra, doling out 13 assists and contributing 18 points, many of which came during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter when the Suns gained and subsequently maintained the lead.
Mikal Bridges came in and played his signature stellar defense while picking up his offensive game as well, chipping in a subtle yet important 13 points.
Baynes did what he does best: body up people down low and step out high to drain a couple of 3-pointers. It led to a routine 12 point, nine board game.
Cam Johnson came in and did what he was drafted to do: make 3s. The shooter made all three of his shots, all from behind the arc, and did pretty much nothing else. But that’s okay. That’s his role, and he played it well.
Booker, well, we’ll get him in a minute. First there was someone else who had a surprise for Suns fans.
Surprise! Ayton played. Sort of.
Credit where it is due: after being ruled out the day prior to the game, Ayton was upgraded to probable and, although he didn’t start, he was able to come off the bench for 20 minutes.
So he played, but I wouldn’t exactly say he played. At least, not initially.
He seemed to move and jump well enough, making it look like his ankle was feeling okay, but the rest of his body was covered in rust.
After his first few minutes in the game, you could almost hear every high school coach around the country screaming through their TV for him to use two hands when rebounding. Several times Ayton went up with one hand only to have it knocked away and or grabbed out of his hands by an opponent. Usually that opposing player was Hassan Whiteside, who abused everyone on the glass with 22 rebounds.
Offensively, it was the same ole Ayton, hoisting up ill-advised 18-footer after ill-advised 18-footer. He did make one of them and had two nice tip-ins, but that was the only points he contributed. Of note, he also bricked two shots in the paint off the backboard.
Needless to say, he did not goto the free throw line.
In the aftermath of much trade speculation (or perhaps trade hope) around Karl-Anthony Towns, Ayton didn’t exactly put up a great audition for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
That is, up until the the final few minutes. I was curious to see if Monty Williams would play him late after he struggled early, but he did, and again, credit where it is due, Ayton contributed. He grabbed a bunch or rebounds and disrupted Portland just enough on defense.
Overall, the big man finished with 12 boards and six points, but more importantly, it was good to see the Suns with their full complement of players for the first time since game one.
Back to Booker
If you just looked at the raw numbers, Devin Booker had a good game, even by Devin Booker standards. The Suns’ front man finished with 33 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. However, it is how he scored all those points that was jaw-dropping.
Much to the chagrin of Eddie Johnson, who insists the analytics folks are all crazy for suggesting teams should shoot exclusively layups and 3-pointers, Devin Booker lit up Portland without taking a single shot from behind the arc.
Not one.
Booker shot the ball 19 times, and all of them were either in the paint, or in the form of an analytics-shamed mid-range jumper.
Oh, and he also shot another 15 shots from the free throw line, of which he made all 15.
I’m not quite on Eddie Johnson’s level of mid-range jumper enthusiasm, but most of Booker’s shots today that could classify as such were calm, collected, and open. No matter where you are on the court, that makes for a good shot.
Booker’s role on this team is to be its leading scorer. He did exactly that Monday night in Portland.
It all culminated to a great performance from the Suns and one worthy of a bow. They’re now off to Hollywood to play the Lakers in the first game of the new year, and really, the new decade Wednesday night.
Keep this show rolling.