Coach Chauncey Billups said he believes that works in his team’s favor. He said, “When you’re missing guys like (Damian Lillard) and (Anfernee Simons), you become less predictable,” Billups said. “You never know where the ball is going and that’s tough to guard.”
On Friday night, Jerami Grant strike a 13-foot baseline jumper at the buzzer after a great in-bounds pass from Justice Winslow to lift the short-handed Trail Blazers over the Phoenix Suns 108-106.
Grant’s bucket scored one of the high points for the season, scoring 30 points. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 10 of 17 from the field and added five assists.
The Blazers were down to the last second when Winslow lofted a high in-bounds pass to Grant. He also grabbed the ball and tossed a high-arching 13-foot jumper in the air. Winslow’s performance was appreciated by the audience.
Grant said, “We’ve got a connection,”
He further added, ”Been knowing him for a long time. I know how he plays and he knows how I play.”
Grant’s amazing clutch shot capped a back-and-forth final minute.
On the other hand, Devin Booker made a 3-pointer which makes Suns Agead 106-104 within the last 30 seconds left, just moments after Jusuf Nurkic sank his own 3 to put the Blazers up 104-103.
“I am going to give it to him every time,” Booker said. “Whoever is open on this team, that is what it comes down to, trusting your teammates and every possession I am going to do that.”
In a nail-biting matchup, the Portland Trail Blazers claimed a victory over the Phoenix Suns with a final score of 108-106. The Blazers’ triumph was sealed with a last-second jumper by Jerami Grant, who hit the buzzer-beater with just 0.9 seconds left on the game clock.
The high-pressure game played out in front of a packed stadium at the Moda Center in Portland. Both teams were neck-and-neck throughout the game, with numerous lead changes in the second half. The Suns led by as many as 8 points in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers rallied back with key plays by Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
The Suns had a chance to tie the game with a last-second play of their own, but a turnover by Devin Booker sealed the Blazers’ victory.
Grant, who was acquired by the Blazers in a mid-season trade, delivered his best performance since joining the team. He scored a team-high 24 points, including the game-winning shot. Lillard finished with 21 points and 8 assists, while McCollum added 20 points and 7 rebounds.
The Suns received solid performances from Booker and Chris Paul, who combined for 44 points and 14 assists. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Blazers’ resilient effort.
The win puts the Blazers back on track after a string of disappointing losses. They now hold a 29-18 record and are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The Suns, who are currently in second place, drop to 36-14.
The Blazers will look to build on this momentum as they head into their next matchup against the Utah Jazz. The Suns will face the Los Angeles Clippers in their next game.
In the end, it was an electrifying game that demonstrated the competitive spirit of both teams. The Blazers’ victory adds another chapter to their storied history and proves that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
