The Phoenix Suns open a seven-game homestand Wednesday against a Portland Trail Blazers squad that has made a habit this season of embarrassing teams in their own building.
The Suns will look to avenge a 124-83 opening-night thrashing on Oct. 21 in Portland, one of two home games for the fast-starting Blazers so far.
First-year coach Micah Nori’s team has won all four of its road contests. Phoenix marks the third stop on a four-game trip that began with a 22-point win at Utah and rolled on with a 118-110 victory Monday at Denver.
Afterward, it was suggested to Nori that “you guys might be good.”
“We only got, what, (76) more?” Nori said, dryly. “I tell you what. We do have a lot of talent. We got a lot of guys who are selfless. We have a lot of good pieces … that enjoy playing together, that enjoy playing the right way, that enjoy winning. They allow us to coach them.”
The Suns have lost four of five after failing to hold a 17-point lead and misfiring down the stretch in a testy 116-113 loss Monday at Golden State.
The Suns had seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, a total that did not include Jalen Green failing to hit the rim while intentionally missing a free throw with 6.0 seconds remaining that gave the ball back to Golden State.
The Suns also started 1-4 last season before winning seven of eight en route to a play-in berth.
“We need to put a full 48 together,” said Suns coach Jordan Ott. “It’s a newer group. This feels like the first time it was tight down the stretch. You have to find a way to win the game. Taking care of the ball helps.”
Devin Booker had 26 points and five assists before fouling out on a disputed charging call for running into De’Anthony Melton with 57.6 seconds left and the Warriors leading by five.
“That’s a flop,” Booker said.
Earlier, Draymond Green was ejected after tackling Suns center Khaman Maluach and then grabbing Dillon Brooks’ throat in an altercation under the Suns’ basket two minutes into the third quarter. Suns forward Miles Bridges (21 points) received a technical foul with 7:26 left in the game.
Golden State shot 42.9% from the floor, the Suns’ best defensive showing this season, but the Warriors adjusted by making 31 free throws and posting a 44-37 rebounding edge.
The Suns rank last in the league in defensive efficiency (124.5 points allowed per 100 possessions) and are tied for last in rebound margin. They are 26th in points allowed (122.8 ppg).
“There were a lot of good (offensive) possessions again,” Ott said. “It’s the defense that we’re going to continue to try to figure out.”
Deni Avdija had 28 points in Portland’s win at Denver and Jrue Holiday had 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds off the bench as the Blazers continue to roll despite missing Ja Morant (hamstring) in the last two games.
The 6-foot-8 Avdija averages 23.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game — similar to his All-Star output a year ago — despite the influx of talent that includes Morant and the return of franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard.
“Coming in, I told him, ‘I want you to be the horse,'” Lillard said of Avdija. “Ja said the same thing. You be the horse. You get downhill. You attack. I think that’s good for all of us.
“The type of physicality he plays with, how he can get to the paint. You almost have to foul him, because he’s that big and that fast and that forceful. That’s good offense.”
Suns reserve guard Jordan Goodwin left the Golden State game with a right calf injury, and he is questionable to play Wednesday.
