Recap: Blazers win three point shooting contest over Suns, 118-111

It was clear from the very beginning that defense was going to be optional in this game.

The Portland Trail Blazers (23-21) made their first eight shots in the game en route to a 36-31 first quarter lead.

Following a 9-37 performance from three point range against the Indiana Pacers the Phoenix Suns (16-29) were just 4-17 from three point range in the first half against the Blazers.

The Blazers, meanwhile, were a blistering 10-20 on triples.

A 12-3 run at the end of the first half stretched a six point margin to a 66-51 lead for Portland going into the half.

The Blazers also scored the first eight points in the second half and a blowout seemed imminent.

Portland led by as many as 27 points in the third quarter, but the Suns at least made things a little interesting.

First, Troy Daniels made four straight three pointers for the Suns in just two minutes of game time.

Then, Devin Booker scored the last 21 points for the Suns to give him 43 for the game.

For the most part, this was a pretty simple game to break down.

The Blazers won a three point shooting contest 17-35 to 16-41.

Paradoxically, in a game with no defense... three players were actually fouled on three point attempts (possibly the only time a defender was within the city limits).

That essentially makes the teams a combined 36-79 from deep.

I’m not sure why the Suns, who average 27 three point attempts a game, have chucked up 37 and 41 threes in their last two games, but at least part of it must be due to the absence of T.J. Warren.

While Warren is scared to death of the three likes to push the ball inside, a lot of these other players seem content to settle for the lazy three. The Suns did make a furious comeback at the end, but they dug themselves too deep a hole when they were cold in the first three quarters.

Live by the jump shot, die by the jump shot.

Considering the Suns came into this game 29th in the league in three point field goal percentage... they’ll be dying by the jump shot more often than not.

I would give Booker a slight nod over Damian Lillard in a matchup of potential All-Stars.

Devin’s line was a little better (43 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) than Lillard’s (31 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) even though the Blazers got the W.

C.J. McCollum also chipped in 27 for Portland while hitting six threes.

The two teams also combined to shoot 30-32 from the free throw line. I don’t think that necessarily means much, but I thought it was cool.

The Suns continue their four game road trip Friday night against the Denver Nuggets (23-21).

With the loss Phoenix falls to 4-22 against teams with winning records.

The Suns now have the 7th worst record in the league and are just 1.5 games from being 4th worst.