Collin Gillespie poured in a career-high 30 points, Mark Williams delivered 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns erased an early deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 130-125 on Tuesday night.
Playing without leading scorer Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a right ankle sprain, Phoenix leaned on a balanced attack. Grayson Allen scored 24 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting, Jordan Goodwin added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Gillespie filled the box score with eight 3-pointers and 10 assists.
Portland got off to a fast start, racing to a 41-30 lead after one quarter, but the Suns chipped away before halftime and trailed just 72-67 at the break. Phoenix seized control in the third quarter by outscoring the Trail Blazers 34-22, taking the lead for good when Williams finished a layup with 3:55 left in the period.
Jerami Grant led Portland with 23 points, while Shaedon Sharpe scored 19. Donovan Clingan posted a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Blazers, who dropped their sixth straight game.
The Trail Blazers were also shorthanded, missing All-Star Deni Avdija because of a lower back strain. Newly acquired Vit Krejci made his Portland debut and scored five points.
Turnovers proved costly for Portland, which committed 17 compared to 11 for Phoenix in a tightly contested finish.
Up next:
The Suns return home to host Golden State on Thursday night, while the Trail Blazers stay home to face Memphis on Friday.
