----- CJ McCollum scores 26 points as the Portland Trail Blazers drop the Phoenix Suns 127-120 Saturday night at Moda Center.
CJ McCollum brought the heat on Saturday night and burned the Suns as the Trail Blazers snapped a two-game slide with a 127-120 victory at Moda Center.
McCollum scored a game-high 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting including 4-for-7 from three-point range. This was his third-straight game with 20 or more points.
''I just go out there and hoop, man,'' McCollum said. ''I don't worry about who we're playing against. They have some very capable players, they've got guys who are capable of winning the game and beating you by themselves. So you've got to be ready to play.''
After a slow start to the game, the Blazers erupted for 42 points in the second quarter building a 66-47 lead at halftime. The Blazers ball movement and player movement was much better tonight than it was in Thursday's loss to the Thunder resulting in multiple players getting involved on offense.
“Really good, solid win,” Terry Stotts said. “For three quarters. I thought we got a lot of contributions from everybody, just up and down the lineup. Everybody who played in the first three quarters just did a nice job.”
Portland continued the offensive onslaught in the third scoring 36 points, extending their lead to 25 heading into the fourth quarter. After struggling to make shots in Thursday's loss to OKC, the Blazers connected on 50% of their field goals including 13-for-29 from three-point range.
The Suns made the score more respectable by scoring 43 points against the Blazers' reserves in the fourth quarter.
Aside from McCollum's offense, Portland (40-26) got production from a number of guys. Damian Lillard scored 18 points and dished out nine assists, Jusuf Nurkic added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Seth Curry poured in 22 points off the bench.
With the win, Portland has now won 10-straight games against Phoenix.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will travel to Los Angeles to meet the Clippers on Tuesday night at Staples Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM.
Chad's Take- When you need a win, schedule the Suns immediately. Portland did what they were supposed to do and pounded a bad team.