Suns 5-Game Winning Streak Snapped; Lose to Portland

Written by Joseph Tames Wednesday, 10 February 2010 22:44

Phoenix, Ariz.—February 10, 2010. The Phoenix Suns returned home riding a five-game road winning streak. Maybe they should have stayed on the road. The Portland Trailblazers kicked the Suns around the galaxy, defeating Phoenix 108-101 at US Airways Center.

Portland’s LaMarcus Alridge, who averages 17 points per game this season, scored 12 of his 22 points in the first quarter, helping the Trailblazers open up an 8-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Portland finished the first quarter shooting 15-20 from the field in route to a 30-20 lead.

The Trailblazers continued to blaze the nets until the buzzer sounded ending the first half, shooting 71 percent from the field while holding Phoenix to 43 percent. Portland went into the locker room with a confident 60-44 lead.

The Suns opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, only to have Portland come back with their own 12-2 run to take the energy out of the Suns. Phoenix staged mini-runs throughout the third and fourth quarters, but got no closer than five points on two separate occasions.

Aldridge led Portland with 22 points, followed by Andre Miller’s and Steve Blake’s 20 points. Miller grabbed seven boards and Blake handed out 12 assists. Blake recorded season highs in points and assists.

Amar’e Stoudemire led all scorers with 24 points, and led all players with nine boards. Steve Nash had 15 points and 11 assists.

Phoenix (31-22) and Portland (31-24) both go into all star weekend with no other games. The Suns next play at Memphis against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, February 16^th. The Trailblazers also play next on Tuesday, a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.