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00:00:00They were 27th in defensive rating last season.
00:00:02They are 9th this season.
00:00:04So Portland has their hands full.
00:00:06How can they game plan for them?
00:00:08Yeah, part of that is just getting turnovers,
00:00:11getting out in transition,
00:00:12getting some easy buckets.
00:00:13You know, early in the season,
00:00:14Portland did a great job of getting out in transition
00:00:15and turning that right around into a press.
00:00:18So it'll be interesting to see
00:00:20if they sort of go back to that
00:00:21or implement a little bit more of that.
00:00:23They are guard heavy.
00:00:24They can match up with these Phoenix Suns guards.
00:00:28So we'll see that.
00:00:29And the other thing, too,
00:00:29is offensively getting on the offensive glass.
00:00:33Klinger's done a great job of rebounding on both ends,
00:00:35but they're a downhill team.
00:00:37They attack.
00:00:38That pool's big,
00:00:38so Klinger can clean up on the offensive glass.
00:00:41So those two things will be new trackers.
00:00:43Veteran leadership.
00:00:45Veteran leadership.
00:00:45You have a veteran point guard
00:00:46that has actually won the championship
00:00:48in that locker room with Drew Holiday.
00:00:49You put the ball in his hands when you can,
00:00:51and you make sure your offense is stable
00:00:53and you get shots on goal.
00:00:54Two things.
00:00:55Offensive state when you get shots on goal.
00:00:56Two things to me.
00:00:57We can't turn the ball over.
00:00:59Blazers are a high turnover team,
00:01:00so I guess it's a good Phoenix defense.
00:01:02We want to take care of the ball.
00:01:04And, yeah, you want to shoot the ball.
00:01:05And Jeremy Grant's coming back,
00:01:07so that's 20 points that they haven't had
00:01:09in the last seven, eight games he's been out.
00:01:11So that's a huge boost for the offense.
00:01:14So the offense should be okay with all these options now
00:01:17with Shaden Sharp back.
00:01:19Obviously, Drew's shooting the ball well,
00:01:21and Avdia getting downhill,
00:01:22getting to the free throw line.
00:01:24So if they do what they do,
00:01:25they should be okay.
00:01:26All right, well, Portland owns the second-worst
00:01:28half-court offense in the NBA,
00:01:29and the Suns are the fifth-best half-court defense.
00:01:32So we're glad to see.
00:01:34Avdia the way to the free throw line,
00:01:36and as aggressive as Phoenix defense is,
00:01:38you have to be careful,
00:01:38because Avdia will get to that free throw line
00:01:40and use that physicality against you.
00:01:41You will get there.
00:01:42All right, tip-off.
00:01:43It's just ahead.
00:01:43Booker and the Suns against Avdia.
00:01:45And the Blazers, the winner,
00:01:46gets the number-seven seed.
00:01:47We will get you out to the game right after this.
00:01:54On Pride, we see who blames first.
00:01:56Sorry, is this a little dreamy?
00:01:59Yes.
00:02:00It's a drama of all dramas.
00:02:01To stare at the man across from you
00:02:03who wants the same thing.
00:02:05And take it from you.
00:02:07Yikes.
00:02:07There's 48 minutes left to prove who belongs.
00:02:1148 minutes to secure your fate.
00:02:13Do not blink.
00:02:16God dang it.
00:02:17This is the NBA play-in on Prime.
00:02:19Swim and the one-man wrecking crew.
00:02:21From the heavy.
00:02:22One-man wrecking crew.
00:02:24From the heavy.
00:02:30Welcome to Phoenix.
00:02:32Welcome to the SoFi NBA play-in tournament on Prime.
00:02:37The Portland Trailblazers and the Phoenix Suns.
00:02:41They play three times in the regular season.
00:02:45All road wins.
00:02:47Phoenix 2-1.
00:02:49Portland won here and played well and beat the Suns.
00:02:53Both had tons of injuries both ways.
00:02:56Luckily for us, the starters are back.
00:02:58And you see it there.
00:03:00You know, they were talking to Blake and the gang of the holiday.
00:03:05And just what he means with that championship pedigree that doesn't have a great deal of postseason experience.
00:03:12He is huge.
00:03:16And for the Phoenix Suns tonight, Devin Booker and the crew.
00:03:21Booker has had eight consecutive seasons of averaging between 25 and 28 points.
00:03:29And when he's healthy, he can make a gigantic difference, Jim, with his Suns team.
00:03:36It's his leadership.
00:03:37Okay, we always talk about the scoring with Devin Booker.
00:03:40But it's the things that he brings to the table behind the scenes that allows everybody else to kind of
00:03:46do their part.
00:03:47But you believe that when Devin Booker is focusing on point, then they can win a lot of basketball games.
00:03:53You see, Jordan Knott, he is the fourth head coach in four years for this franchise.
00:04:00He's in his first year.
00:04:01But my goodness, has he done a terrific job.
00:04:04And there is Tiago Switter.
00:04:05He is in his first season.
00:04:07He detailed well earlier on what this coach, who is taking the place for Chauncey Billups, has had to do
00:04:14in a very turbulent beginning.
00:04:17And sure enough, he's got him here in the postseason.
00:04:20Our officials tonight, the crew chief, and it's a terrific crew, James Capers, in his 31st season.
00:04:28Our referee, Nick Bookert, in his 16th.
00:04:31The umpire, Ray Acosta.
00:04:33The alternate here, Eric Allen.
00:04:35In the replay center, Ed Molloy.
00:04:38It's the Blazers.
00:04:39It's the Suns.
00:04:41And here we go in Brooksville control.
00:04:43And it's important for Portland, defensively, to force Phoenix into a short shot clock, but also have them make tough
00:04:53twos.
00:04:54And that's too easy, but that's the start you want if you're Phoenix, to be able to top this Portland
00:05:01defense when they're moving.
00:05:03Because that way, when you move sides, the gaps, the cuts, the lanes, the slots are going to be open.
00:05:09And I love that play for Green to be able to get an easy one early.
00:05:15Scoot Henderson picked up the foul.
00:05:17A three-point play.
00:05:21And the first possession tonight.
00:05:24Henderson.
00:05:27Henderson.
00:05:27Take it inside hard.
00:05:29And he'll get it to go.
00:05:30The ball was tipped.
00:05:31And the get on the board with Henderson making the move.
00:05:35Yeah, empty side corner.
00:05:36A little handoff.
00:05:37Scoot able to utilize his quickness to get to the basket before the rotation on the back side.
00:05:43He got to him.
00:05:45They play Williams up top, as you can see.
00:05:48Green on the cut.
00:05:49Screen with Shett.
00:05:50And a 15-footer.
00:05:52Here's the play.
00:05:53And it seems early.
00:05:55Jordan Ott says, we need to get Jordan Green started.
00:05:58Okay, so now the two consecutive plays went right to him from the beginning.
00:06:01And he's able to deliver on both.
00:06:04Clinging got it.
00:06:05He'll put up a three.
00:06:07And the rebound is pulled down by the defensive-minded Jordan Goodwin, who gets it right there.
00:06:15And here's Dylan Brooks.
00:06:16He'll get the screen, and he'll make a move.
00:06:19Both coaches said screen will be a big part of the game.
00:06:22He's fade away right there.
00:06:24Just, I love the fact, too, this is a Phoenix team that's going to look to me.
00:06:29They live in the mid-range.
00:06:30They understand that the three-point line can benefit them, but where they make their bread and butter is just
00:06:35right there with Dylan Brooks there.
00:06:36Holiday of the miss.
00:06:37Clinging the offensive rebound.
00:06:39They do that well.
00:06:40Avdia, three.
00:06:41No.
00:06:42And clinging with another rebound.
00:06:44Collected by Holiday.
00:06:45And a foul called on Brooks.
00:06:47Oh, Phoenix.
00:06:49That's an area.
00:06:50Kevin, that's an area with Denny Avdia.
00:06:52You want to keep him.
00:06:53He's been struggling coming in to this game.
00:06:55He had a good game against the Clippers from behind a three-point line, but he's been struggling the last
00:06:59month to kind of find his rhythm from behind the R.
00:07:02So let's keep our eye on that.
00:07:04Avdia down low.
00:07:06He loves to drive as much as any player in the league.
00:07:08That's a three-point shot.
00:07:10Launched a miss.
00:07:10Kamara can't get it.
00:07:11Saved by Clinging with another offensive rebound.
00:07:14This is a team that leads the league in offensive rebounds.
00:07:17Here comes Goodwin.
00:07:19And the point.
00:07:20And a foul called.
00:07:22And Henderson was down there defending and just picked up another foul.
00:07:27He's got two.
00:07:29Second team now.
00:07:39So the Blazers clinched the number eight seed with a win over Sacramento on Sunday.
00:07:48With Goodwin at the line, he's been battling the left ankle that's been tough to get back from.
00:07:53But he's out there starting tonight, which we see Batiste Theibel is going to check.
00:07:58And now for Scoot Henderson, who's got the two early fouls.
00:08:01Well, right now, Portland, one for five from the field, 0 for four from the three-point line.
00:08:06The difference.
00:08:07Phoenix, three for three from the field.
00:08:08Haven't attempted a three-point shot yet.
00:08:11Avdia gets the miss.
00:08:15And here's Drew Holiday.
00:08:18Two-time NBA champion.
00:08:19Clinging on top.
00:08:20He's a two-time National College basketball champion.
00:08:24On the win.
00:08:25This is a three.
00:08:26And down the hatch it goes.
00:08:28Tamari Kamara puts it in.
00:08:33And here comes Booker.
00:08:36Adjusted and firing.
00:08:37Come on.
00:08:37Get to your spot.
00:08:42Utilize your ball handling ability to create the space and Booker as good as anybody.
00:08:46That 15-foot pull-up.
00:08:48Holiday chipping inside.
00:08:49Goes right into Williams.
00:08:51And a foul call.
00:08:53Booker was there as well.
00:08:54Let's go back to Kamani Kamara.
00:08:56Just been on a heater as of late from behind the three-point line.
00:09:00Right there.
00:09:01Didn't even think about it.
00:09:02And Booker doing what he does best.
00:09:04Get to that pull-up.
00:09:06Money.
00:09:09Here's Holiday at the line.
00:09:12Booker did pick up the first foul for him tonight.
00:09:18Non-losing season for the first time in five years for this franchise.
00:09:23But they got in winning 10 of their last 14 to get to that number 8 seed.
00:09:29They were going to be in the playoff.
00:09:30But to get to number 8 gives them clearly the better chance.
00:09:34Two times to make it in.
00:09:36They're the playoffs.
00:09:40Tamani Kamara is defending.
00:09:42There is the foul.
00:09:44And a shove.
00:09:46And that goes on the Blazers.
00:09:48And it's Tamani Kamara who picks up his first personal foul for Portland.
00:09:53Yeah, that's the third team foul right now for the Trailblazers.
00:09:57You think about this as 9-15.
00:09:58We're barely three minutes into this game.
00:10:01And already Phoenix has established itself that we're going to attack this Portland team.
00:10:06Off the dribble.
00:10:08Forced them to have to guard one-on-one.
00:10:09And now they're picking up fouls.
00:10:12Booker at the stripe.
00:10:13So, Jim, when you take a look at the Suns.
00:10:16And since February 1st, they've gone 15-18.
00:10:19And they've had no winning months since January.
00:10:24And, boy, they began the season so well.
00:10:2630-19.
00:10:27But they have standard to the finish line.
00:10:29Think about this.
00:10:31So, February they went 4-7.
00:10:32March 8-8.
00:10:33And April 3-3.
00:10:35So, the defense has also taken a step back.
00:10:38That could be due to fatigue.
00:10:40Long season.
00:10:42That's what they leaned into early in the season.
00:10:45Defensively locking teams in.
00:10:47That slipped a little bit the last three months.
00:10:49Let's see if they can regain some of that in this game here.
00:10:53Cling and open for three.
00:10:55With a rebound snared inside.
00:10:57Williams grabs it.
00:10:58And out to Devin Booker.
00:11:04Booker, along with Brooks and Green,
00:11:08have not played that much this season because of all the injuries.
00:11:12That's deflected out of bounds.
00:11:13Shot clocked at nine.
00:11:14In fact, less than 10 games.
00:11:16Booker, Brooks, and Green have all played more than 15 minutes in a game.
00:11:21And, Kevin, you've been around this game for a long time.
00:11:23Injuries have always been a part of it.
00:11:25But, when has it been that your main characters have all gotten injured?
00:11:30Green takes it in.
00:11:32And another Portland foul as they are protecting the rim with a look at Grayson Allen.
00:11:37Come off the bench.
00:11:38He's been battling a hamstring.
00:11:408.40 to go in the first.
00:11:42That's on Clingon.
00:11:44He's got number one.
00:11:45And, we told you earlier, with two quick fouls and on the bench, their guard, Scoot Henderson.
00:11:50It's 14 fouls and once again attacking the paint by the Suns, placing this Portland team kind of on their
00:11:59heels.
00:12:00And, I like that strategy in the timeout right now.
00:12:03All right, we'll take a break.
00:12:088.40 in the first.
00:12:10Timeout taken.
00:12:11Suns by six.
00:12:12Phoenix.
00:12:13And, we welcome those of you who watch the Hornets defeat the Heat in overtime in a thrower.
00:12:181.27 to 1.26.
00:12:21Kevin Harlan, Jim Jackson.
00:12:23Check in with Alec Clifton in just a second.
00:12:25Set this match up.
00:12:26It's a seven against an eight with the Suns against the Portland Trailblazers.
00:12:30And, it's one of those matchups, too.
00:12:32It's the little things.
00:12:33Battle of possessions.
00:12:34Right now, Portland can't turn the basketball over.
00:12:37You're on the road.
00:12:38You average 17 turnovers a game.
00:12:40That allows this Phoenix team to kind of get out and get active.
00:12:44More importantly, Kevin, it engages the crowd and gets them active as well.
00:12:50Some foul problems already for the Portland Trailblazers.
00:12:54Scoot Henderson, a starter, has already got two fouls.
00:12:57Here is Drew Holiday over Brooks for three.
00:13:00With a rebound off the fingertips of Williams off of Phoenix.
00:13:04It's Portland's ball.
00:13:05Yeah, but another three-point shot.
00:13:07That time, slightly contested.
00:13:09That time, the Suns not able to come up with a defensive rebound.
00:13:12And, now, Portland has another shot at this on this offensive possession.
00:13:17Here's Klingon, who has been a machine on the glass.
00:13:21Getting one offensive rebound in this one after another as he's done really since January 1st.
00:13:26It's a three from outside, and it goes right on down.
00:13:30Nice shot outside put in.
00:13:32It's Matisse Thibault who gets his first shot to go through.
00:13:35Yeah, Thibault is another one of those players known for his defense, but have found his way from behind the
00:13:40three-point line.
00:13:44Here's Devin Booker on top, averaging 26 points a game.
00:13:49His last three games, he's had at least 30 points.
00:13:52Set out the last two and comes in red hot into this one.
00:13:56Holiday.
00:13:56Nobody there, and a three is launched.
00:13:59Drew Holiday.
00:14:01And that's the strength of this team, too.
00:14:03Portland.
00:14:03Defensive style to get out in transition.
00:14:05That time, poor communication by the Suns, leaving a wide-open Drew Holiday who made him pay.
00:14:11So, you just saw a 9-10 with Charlotte and Miami.
00:14:14This is 7-8.
00:14:15So, the winner here is in the playoffs.
00:14:18And they'll play number two seed, San Antonio.
00:14:21It's Brooke.
00:14:22Step back three.
00:14:24Kamara defending.
00:14:25Push back up and in.
00:14:26Beautiful play attacking the glass.
00:14:29Mark Williams.
00:14:29I'll tell you what, when he's healthy, he provides a different dynamic for this Phoenix Suns team.
00:14:34His ability to rim protect, run the floor.
00:14:36As you see, he, an offensive rebound, pays dividends for the Suns.
00:14:40Holiday puts up the 13-footer.
00:14:42Got his own miss.
00:14:43Kicks it on the side.
00:14:44Three is launched.
00:14:46Missed right there by Tumani Kamara.
00:14:48And picked up with Green coming the other way.
00:14:51He came in the KD trade.
00:14:53He's been injured a great part of the season.
00:14:55Obje defends.
00:14:57And the shot is down.
00:14:59He can do that when he's healthy.
00:15:01And it's always been about not his talent, Jalen Green, about shot selection.
00:15:07When he really has discernment, picks and chooses the really good shots, he's so effective as a player.
00:15:13Obje, who's been red hot.
00:15:14Holiday will launch another three and put it down.
00:15:17True Holiday, who's got seven points.
00:15:20A guy who's been known for his defense and a two-time NBA champion, knocking him in from the perimeter.
00:15:29Here's Devin Booker.
00:15:31Williams at high screen.
00:15:32A three by a guy that loves the mid-range shot.
00:15:36And cobbled up inside by Klingon.
00:15:39It's Holiday, the stutter step.
00:15:41And off his foot.
00:15:43I'll say it was deflected, so the ball is still Portland, much to the chagrin of the crowd.
00:15:49Holiday through traffic.
00:15:50Fiebel on top.
00:15:51Makes the move.
00:15:52Green defends.
00:15:53Knocked away inside.
00:15:54Williams, the rejection.
00:15:56It's Booker.
00:15:59Brooks, Williams, they collapse, and he gets it to go.
00:16:03And that's how you reward your big fella.
00:16:06On the opposite end, he's going to man up.
00:16:08When you get beat off the dribble, he's there to supply the support inside with the block shot,
00:16:14and you give him an easy one down low in transition.
00:16:17Holiday, the stutter step into the backpedaling defense of the big man, Mark Williams, and a foul call on Phoenix.
00:16:23Well, the benefit of having a rim protector, you can push up a little bit more defensively,
00:16:28knowing that you have support in the background, and then Williams off two feet.
00:16:32Nice touch inside.
00:16:35Look at him.
00:16:36Called him for it.
00:16:36Give it to me.
00:16:37Let me eat a little bit of the, uh, knowing he's at a height disadvantage.
00:16:43Love to see when big men run rim to rim.
00:16:45That's right.
00:16:46That's a free-throw attempt here for Holiday.
00:16:49Williams picked up his first.
00:16:52And he will check out.
00:16:55So, we told you that the seven-seed Phoenix Suns against the eight-seed Portland Trailblazers.
00:17:03The winner is in the playoffs.
00:17:06They take on San Antonio.
00:17:08The loser is still alive.
00:17:10They will host a game.
00:17:11The loser will of this one on Friday for a chance to go to the postseason.
00:17:16Yeah, and they will face the winner of the Golden State-L.A. Clippers game, which is tomorrow, in that
00:17:249-10 matchup.
00:17:26And that will be on Bryan exclusively.
00:17:28Colin Gillespie is checked in.
00:17:30Booker got the screen and launches the two.
00:17:33One, two, three, three, four.
00:17:35Patience.
00:17:36Knowing when to come off the screen.
00:17:38Utilizing the dribble.
00:17:40Identifying where the defense is.
00:17:42And then, you step up there like repetition, Kevin.
00:17:46Make them pay.
00:17:47Brooks was on Kamara.
00:17:50Trying to get free right here.
00:17:52Jeremy Grant.
00:17:53The long shot will not drop.
00:17:55And it's picked up by Green.
00:18:11The Phoenix Suns have gone 9 of 11 from the floor.
00:18:15They are red hot to start this play-in-game.
00:18:18Holiday through traffic.
00:18:19Reaching in Green, who picks up the Phoenix foul.
00:18:22Well, even I going to a public university understand is 9 of 11 is a high shooting percentage.
00:18:2981 to be exact.
00:18:31But it's being decisive in how they want to attack this Portland team.
00:18:35A lot of times it's in their secondary break before Portland can get set.
00:18:39Now you got these gaps and lanes that are open.
00:18:41And they're able to pull up to their comfort zone, which are these 10-15-foot pull-ups.
00:18:47Or like we saw with Mark Williams, run the court and get some paint touches and score it inside.
00:18:51Brooks and Green will check out for the Suns.
00:18:54Royce O'Neal will check in.
00:19:00They go inside the two-point shot.
00:19:03And a nice one there.
00:19:05Hit on the play by Dunn, who also checks in.
00:19:07Ryan Dunn is in the game for the first time.
00:19:11Booker's got it here.
00:19:14Like I was saying before, for our original audience,
00:19:16he's hit three straight games of 30 points or more to end the regular season for him.
00:19:21In games he played, offensive rebound, retrieved.
00:19:25Dunn will drive and take it in.
00:19:27Can't get it.
00:19:28Come on, the rebound.
00:19:29Here comes Holiday the other way.
00:19:32They go inside.
00:19:34Is Shaden Sharp a watch on the perimeter?
00:19:36In the corner, the three is launched.
00:19:38Grant can't get it.
00:19:39And it's retrieved there.
00:19:43As the Suns will work.
00:19:46On top.
00:19:50Booker had it.
00:19:51With a lean.
00:19:55And a foul.
00:19:56And it goes on Gillespie.
00:19:58Just off the bench and picked it up.
00:20:02Timeout taken, Phoenix.
00:20:053.25 to go.
00:20:07The Suns at 45 and 37.
00:20:10The Blazers at 42 and 40.
00:20:12On Prime.
00:20:16Welcome back to Phoenix Suns Blazers here in the first quarter.
00:20:19One thing to know about our Prime family.
00:20:20We're all about innovation, finding new and exciting ways for you to watch your favorite
00:20:24team throughout the course of the postseason.
00:20:26And a couple things our team is working on.
00:20:28We want to obviously introduce it again this week as we showed you last week.
00:20:32This blue highlighted orb circle around me.
00:20:34It's an AI tool used to identify what a player has created an advantage, a.k.a. a mismatch.
00:20:40It'll locate it and identify it in real time and show you throughout the course of the
00:20:43game at any point in time.
00:20:44And then introduced tonight.
00:20:46We're excited about this one.
00:20:47It's our NBA on Prime playmaker chain.
00:20:49You see it right here.
00:20:50Shout out to our social team as this isn't just any piece of hardware.
00:20:54This chain is equipped with its very own OLED screen modeled for the core in Stage 11
00:20:59that features the player's own highlights.
00:21:01This chain goes to the player who shows up when it matters.
00:21:04The one who makes the big time plays and the big time moments.
00:21:06Plays that advance your team to the NBA playoffs.
00:21:09And I've been told they can also load it with your incredible calls.
00:21:13Kevin Harland.
00:21:13So be ready.
00:21:14It's coming your way.
00:21:15Yeah, they may turn that thing around the other way.
00:21:18You can't see the picture.
00:21:19Thank you very much, Allie.
00:21:21That's kind of a cool innovation that we're going to introduce.
00:21:25So they challenge.
00:21:26The Suns did.
00:21:28And the offensive foul on Gillespie is knocked away.
00:21:32The foul goes on Shaden Sharp.
00:21:33Let's watch it again.
00:21:35Yeah, that time they said that the infraction was caused on Gillespie.
00:21:39Right away, the Phoenix bench started to twirl those fingers.
00:21:44And it was the correct assessment that time.
00:21:46So what a good use that time of the challenge.
00:21:49Suns now have their biggest lead in the early stages of this one.
00:21:53With the winner going right to the playoffs.
00:21:58Holiday will put up another three.
00:22:01Roger Williams tried to get it.
00:22:02Couldn't find the handle.
00:22:03It's picked up by Iguodaro.
00:22:05And now in the hands of Booker.
00:22:07Who gets the screen and kicks on the wing.
00:22:12That is the Suns, who had seven players with career-high scoring averages.
00:22:17On the fly, Booker ramming his way into the defense of Grant.
00:22:21The foul called on Grant.
00:22:23And that's the first on him.
00:22:24Is it just Devin Booker getting more than Grant?
00:22:28And Grant now, keep in mind, just now getting back from that calf injury.
00:22:31So you do want to try to attack him defensively when you're Devin Booker or whoever he guards.
00:22:38Yeah, that right calf strain was something that he's had to deal with.
00:22:44Looking at the upcoming SoFi play-in schedule tomorrow on Prime.
00:22:48Lander will be in Philadelphia taking on the Sixers.
00:22:51Golden State and the Clippers from L.A.
00:22:5410 Eastern for more on these games.
00:22:56And the entire look at the play-in.
00:22:58Go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
00:23:03Holiday, Grant, Williams, Kamara, and Sharp.
00:23:07The five for the players.
00:23:09And driving inside is Grant.
00:23:11Took it hard.
00:23:12They collapse on him.
00:23:13Foul on Phoenix.
00:23:14And that time, Iguodaro at that time anticipated when Grant was going on.
00:23:17But he didn't leave his feet.
00:23:18Watch, Iguodaro right here.
00:23:19He's already in the air.
00:23:21Grant smartly stays on two feet.
00:23:23They were able to pick up that foul.
00:23:27Iguodaro picks up number one.
00:23:29And Jeremy Grant at the free-throw line.
00:23:33So we mentioned this to our earlier audience,
00:23:35but this Blazer team clinched the number eight seed with a win
00:23:39on the final day of the regular season against the Sacramento Kings.
00:23:44It was the 42nd of the year.
00:23:47They finished, Jim, 42-40.
00:23:49It's the first non-losing season they've had in five years.
00:23:54The Blazers.
00:23:55Yeah, they locked it in.
00:23:56They played the Clippers.
00:23:58Last Thursday, both teams split the season series,
00:24:02but it was the Trail Blazers who won the tiebreaker
00:24:06because they had a better conference record.
00:24:08Hence getting that eighth spot.
00:24:13Hooker on top.
00:24:15O'Neal on the win to three.
00:24:18Sharpe tries to grab the ball.
00:24:20Hooker knocked it away.
00:24:21Robert Williams gets it.
00:24:23And here come the Blazers,
00:24:25who had a road record this season of 19-23.
00:24:29Williams a screen.
00:24:30Holiday screen.
00:24:31Roll with Williams inside.
00:24:32Free defense by the Suns.
00:24:34Beautiful rotation by Iguodaro on the backside.
00:24:37And here's where Phoenix is dangerous in transition.
00:24:41O'Neal came back down to three.
00:24:43And out of bounds it goes.
00:24:45The Blazers will get it back.
00:24:49The back line support is important.
00:24:51This is a beautiful short roll,
00:24:52but it's two Phoenix Suns players
00:24:56to be able to rotate.
00:24:57But it was Iguodaro who had,
00:24:59Iguodaro at that time had a chance
00:25:01to get a couple fingertips all on it.
00:25:05Holiday out.
00:25:06O'Neal got the screen.
00:25:09One of the great drivers in the NBA
00:25:10and shows you why it's right there.
00:25:13I tell you, he just attacks.
00:25:14I mean, that's the biggest part of this game.
00:25:16That's the reason why he gets to the free-throw line
00:25:18as much as anybody in the league
00:25:19is his relentless effort
00:25:22to get to the basket.
00:25:23But how he gets there, Kevin,
00:25:24he loves to catch the ball on the move,
00:25:27get his defender on his hip,
00:25:28and then exploit that through the lane.
00:25:30Terrific moves.
00:25:31Here comes Waisel O'Neal.
00:25:33Iguodaro in the paint.
00:25:34Puts it up and in.
00:25:35Iguodaro played every game in the regular season.
00:25:38First time for his son in four years.
00:25:41And one of 18 players in the league
00:25:43to play all 82 regular season games.
00:25:47Also, Iguodaro.
00:25:48Here is Sharp.
00:25:49Got the screen.
00:25:50Pops the J.
00:25:53It's a three
00:25:54as he puts it down on his first shot tonight.
00:26:05Nice three by Booker.
00:26:07He excels inside.
00:26:09It's the patience, though.
00:26:11The pump fake works
00:26:13because he knocks that shot
00:26:14in with regularity.
00:26:17So now you get the pump fake,
00:26:18stay on two feet,
00:26:19step through,
00:26:20easy money for Booker inside.
00:26:23Omdia once again.
00:26:24Grant is outside.
00:26:26Omdia with a three.
00:26:28Rebound inside by Murray.
00:26:31A lot of black jersey,
00:26:32so he kicks it out.
00:26:33Grant launches
00:26:34and buries the three.
00:26:36And how many times have we seen
00:26:37an offensive rebound
00:26:38results in an open three
00:26:40because now you're
00:26:40defensive scrambleing.
00:26:42You don't have the matchups
00:26:43you're looking for.
00:26:44And smartly,
00:26:45the ball got back out
00:26:47and Grant was able
00:26:48to make him pay.
00:26:49Because Chris Murray
00:26:50kicked it out.
00:26:50You're right.
00:26:51Very smart play.
00:26:52Shot clock here at six.
00:26:54Booker will make a move.
00:26:56Working on the aforementioned Murray.
00:26:58The fatal ale getting out of the reach.
00:27:00And going down,
00:27:01he's got 12.
00:27:03Right now,
00:27:03Fane is 12 for 18.
00:27:07From the field.
00:27:08Obdia, there he is.
00:27:10There he is, is right.
00:27:11I'm telling you, man,
00:27:12it's amazing.
00:27:13You see the transformation
00:27:14in this young man's game,
00:27:15but it's more so in his mindset
00:27:17that he believes, Kevin,
00:27:18that he can get it done.
00:27:20He is a confident player,
00:27:23but a tough team.
00:27:24Phoenix has been up
00:27:25by as many as eight.
00:27:27They lead by two
00:27:28at the end of one
00:27:29as you're watching
00:27:31the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
00:27:33on Prime.
00:27:38Great job tracking.
00:27:41We're taking away our threes.
00:27:42We only have two threes up.
00:27:44He's getting that rim.
00:27:45We'll take all that rim.
00:27:46Into the free throw line.
00:27:53First year head coach,
00:27:5441-year-old Jordan Knott.
00:27:56He was a student manager
00:27:57at Penn State,
00:27:59then went to Michigan State
00:28:00and became the video coordinator,
00:28:03worked his way to the NBA
00:28:04and assistant with Cleveland,
00:28:05the Lakers, Brooklyn,
00:28:07and in his first year
00:28:09has led them to a 45-win season,
00:28:11a number seven seed
00:28:12and a chance with the win
00:28:13to make the playoffs
00:28:15with Dunn picking up
00:28:17the quick Phoenix foul right there.
00:28:18He was the Western Conference
00:28:21Coach of the Month in January.
00:28:23There's his resume.
00:28:24He's done a lot of great things.
00:28:27One of the things
00:28:27you mentioned earlier,
00:28:28instilling the defensive note
00:28:31with this team,
00:28:32and they have played that well
00:28:34this sunset with a three
00:28:35going in by Shaden Sharp.
00:28:37Well, it's all about the communication.
00:28:39But once again,
00:28:40I'm going to say this,
00:28:42Kevin,
00:28:42it's a combination of two things.
00:28:44One,
00:28:44his ability to communicate
00:28:46what he needs to get done
00:28:47and what the team needs to get done.
00:28:48But when you have your best player
00:28:50that has bought in
00:28:52on both ends of the court,
00:28:53that makes his job
00:28:55a heck of a lot easier
00:28:56to sell the game planning
00:28:58or what he thinks
00:28:59can best put them
00:29:00in a situation
00:29:01or position to win.
00:29:02You just saw some great numbers,
00:29:04but the Suns turn it over.
00:29:06Obdiah the other way.
00:29:08They got Murray off that baseline
00:29:09and Klingon will finish it off.
00:29:12Nice passing
00:29:12by the Portland Trail Blazers
00:29:15who don't usually rack up
00:29:16a ton of assists.
00:29:17And they got a lead of three,
00:29:19which is tonight
00:29:20their biggest so far.
00:29:22Portland, by the way,
00:29:23only one turnover so far
00:29:25and they turn it over a lot.
00:29:26But tonight just one.
00:29:30Here's Green setting up
00:29:31and this is over Sharp.
00:29:33Rebound done,
00:29:34parachutes him.
00:29:36Fake, O'Neal to the left.
00:29:38Yeah, neighborly drive
00:29:38that close out
00:29:40on that offensive rebound.
00:29:43But Portland do an excellent job
00:29:44and Dirk Lewinsky talked about
00:29:45the weakness of Portland
00:29:47and you said it
00:29:47by turning the ball over.
00:29:49When you're on the road,
00:29:50you're not turning the ball over,
00:29:51you can do this.
00:29:52You get shots on goal.
00:29:54And as a result of doing that,
00:29:56Portland has kind of found
00:29:57their rhythm offensively
00:29:59to put themselves in a position
00:30:01to be up four right now
00:30:02at the beginning
00:30:02of this second quarter.
00:30:04Obdiah averages 24 points
00:30:07as Green looks for him
00:30:08and he is opening the fire
00:30:09and he's surrounded by Red,
00:30:11but he's still got it up
00:30:12and it's picked up inside
00:30:14by Murray.
00:30:14And that's Klingon right there.
00:30:16He didn't get the blocked shot,
00:30:18but he forced Jalen Green
00:30:19to have to shoot that thing
00:30:20up a little bit higher.
00:30:21And speaking of which,
00:30:22that's the secondary break
00:30:24for Portland.
00:30:26Empty corner.
00:30:27Denny Obdiah going to work.
00:30:31Obdiah now has put in nine.
00:30:35Iguodaro picks up
00:30:36his second personal foul.
00:30:38It's a 12-2 run
00:30:40for the Portland Trailblazers.
00:30:45So on the year
00:30:47coming into this game,
00:30:48Denny Obdiah
00:30:49has attempted
00:30:50610 free throws,
00:30:52the second most
00:30:53in Trailblazer history
00:30:55behind my man
00:30:57Sidney Week,
00:30:58I mean Wicks,
00:30:59back in 1971-72.
00:31:01So,
00:31:02and he gets 31%
00:31:05of his scoring,
00:31:05Obdiah does,
00:31:06from the free throw line.
00:31:08Green working around
00:31:09on the screen
00:31:09and puts up
00:31:10a 14-footer.
00:31:12Obdiah's got it
00:31:12and he's off to the races
00:31:13with speed.
00:31:14Oh, and down!
00:31:15Down it goes!
00:31:17Sharp coming through
00:31:19and pounding it home!
00:31:21What a break
00:31:22and what a finish!
00:31:23It's all about
00:31:24for Portland.
00:31:25The defense feeds
00:31:27the offense.
00:31:28So you get a stop,
00:31:29you get the rebound,
00:31:30you get out and run.
00:31:31It's the reason why
00:31:32Obdiah is one of those players.
00:31:346.7 assists,
00:31:36throw it up to the young fella.
00:31:37Go get it, Portland.
00:31:38and roll it right now,
00:31:40offensively.
00:31:41Phoenix,
00:31:42let's take a look
00:31:42at the Giants,
00:31:43push the pace,
00:31:44presented by
00:31:45Injewit Dribble James.
00:31:46Listen,
00:31:47when you got a high flower
00:31:48like Shady's job,
00:31:49you just throw it up,
00:31:50let him do the rest.
00:31:51And Royce O'Neal knew
00:31:52he was in a predicament
00:31:53when he began
00:31:54to backpedal
00:31:55and saw employee
00:31:56number 17
00:31:57running the lane.
00:31:59At that time,
00:32:00Diddy,
00:32:01Obdiah,
00:32:01attracted the defense
00:32:03and put that thing
00:32:04right on time,
00:32:05on target.
00:32:06Sharp did the rest.
00:32:07We know the Blazers,
00:32:08take a lot of threes,
00:32:09but they don't make them.
00:32:10They're 27th
00:32:11in three-point percentage.
00:32:13Tonight,
00:32:14they've made eight.
00:32:15Phoenix has made
00:32:16not one single three.
00:32:18And Phoenix
00:32:19is a top half
00:32:21of the league
00:32:21in three-point percentage.
00:32:23Goodwin,
00:32:24three,
00:32:24that's off.
00:32:25And now,
00:32:26they are 0-5.
00:32:27where is the Portland
00:32:28three-point shooting
00:32:30is eight of 19
00:32:31and they're plus
00:32:3224 points,
00:32:33Jim,
00:32:34in three-point shooting
00:32:35tonight.
00:32:36But it's the quality
00:32:36of the three-point look,
00:32:38and that's a tough shot
00:32:39by Diddy,
00:32:39Obdi right there.
00:32:40But they're not
00:32:41forcing things,
00:32:42allowing bad misses,
00:32:44so then Phoenix
00:32:45can get out and run.
00:32:46So that shows
00:32:47a lot of discipline
00:32:48and poise
00:32:49from a young team
00:32:51of their shot quality
00:32:53and shot selection.
00:32:56Murray will pick it up,
00:32:5724,
00:32:57for the Portland Trailblazers.
00:33:00Henderson is still
00:33:00on the bench
00:33:01with two early fouls.
00:33:03Here is Devin Booker
00:33:04at the free-throw line.
00:33:06And Brooks
00:33:07smears the loose ball.
00:33:09And Brooks
00:33:09has been quiet
00:33:10in this first half.
00:33:12Oh,
00:33:12one for two.
00:33:13And Book,
00:33:14right there.
00:33:15Wow!
00:33:16Feeling the movement,
00:33:17Kevin.
00:33:18Feeling the moment,
00:33:19knowing
00:33:19that his team
00:33:21needed
00:33:22some kind of boost
00:33:24offensively,
00:33:24able to get two
00:33:25buckets in a row.
00:33:27Henderson has come back
00:33:28in after being
00:33:29on the bench
00:33:30for a good part
00:33:31of that first
00:33:31or at least the last half
00:33:32of the first quarter.
00:33:33Beautiful feet.
00:33:35Obdiah,
00:33:35Klingon,
00:33:36shot clock at three,
00:33:38corner three,
00:33:38launch,
00:33:39kneel,
00:33:39nice shot outside.
00:33:41That was a beauty
00:33:42and put down
00:33:43by Scoot Henderson.
00:33:44I tell you,
00:33:45the patience
00:33:45in Scoot Henderson,
00:33:47a different player
00:33:48these last seven games
00:33:49coming off of injury.
00:33:51More poise,
00:33:52calm,
00:33:52collected,
00:33:53and more
00:33:53discipline.
00:33:55Mark Williams
00:33:56across the lane
00:33:58with a rebound
00:33:59by Murray.
00:34:00Portland has made
00:34:01their last four threes.
00:34:03They've made nine tonight.
00:34:08Anderson again
00:34:09makes the move.
00:34:10Booker is there.
00:34:12That's just tough.
00:34:13That's what you call
00:34:14making the tough two
00:34:16right there,
00:34:16Kevin.
00:34:21Green quickly
00:34:22the other way.
00:34:22He's got ten.
00:34:23Quick twitch
00:34:24down the lane
00:34:25for two.
00:34:26Finally able
00:34:27to create
00:34:28some separation
00:34:29right there.
00:34:30Very similar
00:34:31to how he started
00:34:32the game
00:34:33in Jalen Green,
00:34:33getting to the basket
00:34:34with that right hand.
00:34:38in Jalen Green.
00:34:38Blazers won
00:34:39ten of their last
00:34:40fourteen games
00:34:41to get in
00:34:44to this position
00:34:45at number eight.
00:34:46Abdiya
00:34:47through traffic,
00:34:48inside,
00:34:48baby hook on the fly.
00:34:55This kid is amazing.
00:34:57His dad
00:34:58played pro basketball.
00:34:59His mom
00:35:00played basketball
00:35:01and was terrific
00:35:02in trunk and field.
00:35:03It's an outplay
00:35:04by Anderson.
00:35:05Got tangled up
00:35:06and they grapple
00:35:07him and Booker.
00:35:09And it's a foul
00:35:10and it goes on
00:35:11Devin Booker
00:35:12of Phoenix.
00:35:12Well, the one-on-one
00:35:13matchup
00:35:14in defense
00:35:14that time.
00:35:15Scoot
00:35:15was able to get
00:35:16his hand
00:35:17in on this ball
00:35:19to knock it away
00:35:20from Devin Booker
00:35:21and on the retreat
00:35:22Devin hooks
00:35:23Scoot
00:35:24Henderson
00:35:24up inside.
00:35:26So again,
00:35:27the Blazer defense
00:35:28starting to really
00:35:29make its imprint
00:35:30the last three
00:35:31to four minutes
00:35:32on this game.
00:35:33Abdiya
00:35:33so important
00:35:34offensively
00:35:35takes it in
00:35:35a nest of defenders
00:35:37awaits
00:35:37and he puts it
00:35:38in on the fly.
00:35:43Abdiya
00:35:43has come out
00:35:44sizzling hot.
00:35:46Six of nine.
00:35:47Thirteen points.
00:35:49Back to Wayne.
00:35:50Henderson
00:35:50with the defense.
00:35:52It was knocked
00:35:53out of the dribble
00:35:53that time
00:35:54of Green.
00:35:54But the quick hands
00:35:55and the exquisite
00:35:56timing of Scoot
00:35:57Henderson
00:35:58both times
00:35:58able to create
00:35:59those turnovers.
00:36:03Abdiya again.
00:36:04Got the screen.
00:36:06Henderson
00:36:06fielding now
00:36:07into Brooks.
00:36:08The bump.
00:36:09The loss.
00:36:09It's picked up
00:36:10inside by the Suns.
00:36:12It's Green
00:36:12slashing his way
00:36:14inside
00:36:14and knocked
00:36:15out of bounds.
00:36:16Thirteen seconds
00:36:17to shoot.
00:36:21Terrific pace.
00:36:23Outstanding
00:36:24individual play.
00:36:25This game
00:36:25has been terrific
00:36:26so far.
00:36:27And if you're
00:36:28a Portland Trailblazer fan
00:36:29it's kind of
00:36:30what you envision
00:36:31right now
00:36:32with the way
00:36:32this team
00:36:33has been playing.
00:36:34Look at the defense
00:36:34leading the charge.
00:36:36Getting blocks.
00:36:37Getting out
00:36:37in transition.
00:36:38And then
00:36:38the three ball
00:36:39Kevin
00:36:40being able
00:36:41to be an asset
00:36:42for you as well.
00:36:44Blazers
00:36:44have hit
00:36:45nine threes
00:36:46the Suns
00:36:47have hit
00:36:47none.
00:36:48Abdiya
00:36:49cuts
00:36:50drives
00:36:50fires
00:36:51fouled.
00:36:54And guess who?
00:36:56That's
00:36:56Dylan Brooks
00:36:58understanding
00:37:00where Abdi
00:37:02Abdiya
00:37:02wanted to get to.
00:37:05Good play
00:37:05by Brooks.
00:37:06He took the charge.
00:37:08Abdiya
00:37:09picks up the foul.
00:37:10It is the first
00:37:11on him.
00:37:17I really think
00:37:18too
00:37:18not having
00:37:19Colin Gillespie
00:37:20with those
00:37:20two fouls
00:37:21Kevin
00:37:21has impacted
00:37:23the three point
00:37:24shooting
00:37:25but also
00:37:25some of the
00:37:26pick and roll
00:37:26game
00:37:28for the Suns.
00:37:31Devin Brooks
00:37:32Booker
00:37:33is putting it up
00:37:34and no good.
00:37:35It's picked up
00:37:36inside by
00:37:37Klingon
00:37:39and it's
00:37:40Drew Holiday
00:37:40taking it
00:37:41the other way.
00:37:42Holiday now
00:37:43in his 17th season.
00:37:45Around the horn
00:37:46cramp in the corner.
00:37:47That will fly in.
00:37:48It's another
00:37:49three.
00:37:50Ten
00:37:50made threes
00:37:51by the Portland
00:37:53Trailblazers.
00:37:54And they've got
00:37:55their first
00:37:55and biggest lead
00:37:57in this second
00:37:58quarter.
00:37:59Now up by
00:37:5914.
00:38:00Now we're back
00:38:01in Phoenix.
00:38:02Time now for
00:38:02This Changes Everything
00:38:03presented by
00:38:04Universal Orlando
00:38:06Resorts.
00:38:06It's been the impact
00:38:08on the defensive end
00:38:09by Smoody Anderson.
00:38:10Kind of doing
00:38:10all the little
00:38:11things necessary
00:38:13to help build
00:38:14this 14-point lead.
00:38:15Yeah, he's
00:38:16knocked in a couple
00:38:17shots.
00:38:18Tough ones at that.
00:38:19Tough one over
00:38:20Booker.
00:38:20But it also
00:38:21dribble penetrates,
00:38:23attract the defense,
00:38:24make the play.
00:38:24You see the
00:38:25with and without
00:38:26Scoot Henderson,
00:38:27okay?
00:38:29With,
00:38:30plus six,
00:38:30minus four,
00:38:32without.
00:38:32But it's the points
00:38:34per game allowed
00:38:35where his impact
00:38:36is felt the most.
00:38:37And you can see
00:38:38that here in this
00:38:39first half,
00:38:40how valuable he is
00:38:41on the defensive
00:38:42end of the court.
00:38:43It's good one in
00:38:44right now.
00:38:46Henderson is on
00:38:46him.
00:38:49And Williams,
00:38:50shot clock at six.
00:38:53Kevin Booker,
00:38:54Grant,
00:38:55nice defense.
00:38:56Green will take
00:38:57his way from a
00:38:5817-footer into that
00:38:59circle and put it
00:39:00down.
00:39:04It's a 26-10
00:39:06Portland run
00:39:06over the last
00:39:07seven minutes.
00:39:08The Blazers
00:39:09began the game
00:39:10six of 19.
00:39:12Henderson again
00:39:12to the hole.
00:39:13No.
00:39:14Klingin tries to
00:39:15dive.
00:39:15Williams in the
00:39:16way.
00:39:16It is off of
00:39:18Portland and it's
00:39:19Phoenix's ball.
00:39:21But the Blazers
00:39:22have gone 14 of
00:39:23their last 18
00:39:24from the floor
00:39:25shooting.
00:39:26They've got
00:39:2710 threes.
00:39:28Phoenix,
00:39:290 of six from
00:39:30three.
00:39:30What?
00:39:31Another stat
00:39:31line?
00:39:3220 main field
00:39:33goals, Kevin,
00:39:34off of 14 assists.
00:39:36So the ball is
00:39:36hopping around
00:39:38the court,
00:39:38forcing Phoenix
00:39:40to have to
00:39:40guard multiple
00:39:41positions and
00:39:41a lot of
00:39:42real estate.
00:39:43Green over
00:39:44Holliday.
00:39:47Green's got
00:39:4816.
00:39:51Portland's bench
00:39:52has been terrific
00:39:52tonight, plus 13
00:39:53points so far.
00:39:55Holliday, a move
00:39:56on Brooks.
00:39:58The bump, the
00:39:59grind, the fade
00:40:00away.
00:40:01No, Klingin
00:40:01trying to tip it
00:40:02to himself.
00:40:03Oh, grappling
00:40:04inside with
00:40:05Williams.
00:40:06No call.
00:40:07Here comes
00:40:07Booker.
00:40:11It's Goodwin with
00:40:12a fake and a
00:40:12drive and a
00:40:13feed and Booker
00:40:14on top.
00:40:18it's Green for
00:40:19three.
00:40:200 of seven, three
00:40:21point shooting for
00:40:22the Suns tonight.
00:40:24And that's
00:40:24excellent defensive
00:40:25rotation that time
00:40:26by the Trailblazers
00:40:27to contest, get out
00:40:28and contest that
00:40:29shot.
00:40:31Henderson's three is
00:40:32off.
00:40:33And here comes
00:40:34Phoenix with a
00:40:36dive and a save
00:40:37there by Booker.
00:40:38That game, that
00:40:39play almost saw
00:40:41them lose the
00:40:41ball.
00:40:43Holliday, the
00:40:43defense, on
00:40:45Brooks.
00:40:47Fighting hard
00:40:48with a foul.
00:40:51Grant was there
00:40:52and Grant will
00:40:53pick it up.
00:40:55Grant picks up
00:40:56his second.
00:40:59Let's take a look
00:41:00at the live update
00:41:01presented by FanDuel.
00:41:03Here's some of our
00:41:04numbers right there
00:41:05for this one.
00:41:06Two teams not
00:41:07expected to be in
00:41:08this position.
00:41:10Both terrific
00:41:11seasons in their
00:41:12own right.
00:41:12Different
00:41:13circumstances.
00:41:14Two first-year
00:41:15coaches.
00:41:16In the corner,
00:41:17Goodwin three.
00:41:18The first tonight.
00:41:20And maybe that
00:41:21gets the ball
00:41:22rolling a little
00:41:22bit more from
00:41:23this Phoenix Suns
00:41:24team, who
00:41:25offensively, they
00:41:27shoot it at 36%.
00:41:29That puts them
00:41:29at 11th in the
00:41:30NBA.
00:41:32Grant had that
00:41:33swatted away
00:41:34inside by
00:41:35Williams.
00:41:36Grant was going
00:41:37across the lane.
00:41:42And Mark
00:41:43Williams there
00:41:44once again in
00:41:45prime time position.
00:41:46Able to get
00:41:47those claws right
00:41:48on that and
00:41:49knock that into
00:41:49the first row.
00:41:53Blazers shooting
00:41:5442% for the game.
00:41:56Suns at
00:41:58right now
00:42:0037%.
00:42:01That shot.
00:42:02Rob Williams,
00:42:03his first two
00:42:03since coming off
00:42:04the bench.
00:42:05And the bench
00:42:05continues to produce
00:42:07for the Blazers
00:42:08tonight.
00:42:09Step back three
00:42:10green.
00:42:11Rebound
00:42:12snared by
00:42:13Williams.
00:42:13Quick outlet.
00:42:17Kamara,
00:42:18Holiday,
00:42:19through traffic.
00:42:21A three,
00:42:23no.
00:42:23Williams,
00:42:24the offensive
00:42:25rebound
00:42:25with a whistle
00:42:27and a foul
00:42:28and it's on the
00:42:28Blazers and on
00:42:29Rob Williams.
00:42:34He's got his
00:42:35first.
00:42:49Kevin Booker
00:42:50so far 16.
00:42:52Green was 16.
00:42:53Yeah,
00:42:53but it's Brooks
00:42:54who's been MIA
00:42:56in this first half.
00:42:59and also
00:43:01once again
00:43:01I'll reemphasize
00:43:03not having
00:43:03Colin Gillespie
00:43:04on the court
00:43:07is a huge
00:43:08absence
00:43:09for this
00:43:10Phoenix offense.
00:43:11Up to a three.
00:43:12Cut!
00:43:14He's got 16
00:43:17and he's got
00:43:18five assists
00:43:19on top of that.
00:43:21He's still
00:43:21in every category.
00:43:23He's top 15
00:43:24in scoring
00:43:25and assists
00:43:26this season
00:43:26in the league.
00:43:27Brooks,
00:43:27three.
00:43:28There it is.
00:43:29They exchange
00:43:30triples.
00:43:36Holiday will take it
00:43:37bumping into
00:43:38Brooks.
00:43:38Fires as he was
00:43:39going on the move.
00:43:41Brooks will pick up
00:43:41the foul.
00:43:43And Brooks
00:43:44picks up his
00:43:44second for Phoenix.
00:43:45Yeah,
00:43:46Brooks wanted
00:43:46that foul
00:43:47as he bodied
00:43:49Drew Holiday
00:43:51basically up the
00:43:52court.
00:43:52Using his chest
00:43:53right there
00:43:53and he pushes
00:43:54him right there
00:43:55before Drew
00:43:56gets into
00:43:57his gather.
00:43:59Of course,
00:44:00Portland
00:44:00and the pitch
00:44:01of Drew
00:44:01disagree that
00:44:03it's not
00:44:04shots.
00:44:07Omnia
00:44:07and he goes
00:44:08in the corner
00:44:09and the three-point
00:44:09launch right there
00:44:10by Grant.
00:44:12And a Mark
00:44:13Williams rebound.
00:44:14And a chance
00:44:15for Phoenix
00:44:16to really gain
00:44:17some momentum
00:44:18from keeping
00:44:18his lead
00:44:19under double
00:44:20digits
00:44:20going into
00:44:21halftime.
00:44:21Brooks
00:44:22with the drive.
00:44:24That basket
00:44:24won't count.
00:44:25There was a foul
00:44:26called.
00:44:28It was inside
00:44:29and Holiday
00:44:29will pick up
00:44:30his first
00:44:31in his
00:44:3298th career
00:44:36postseason game
00:44:37and at the
00:44:37free throw line
00:44:38is Brooks.
00:44:40Dilla Brooks
00:44:41still is up
00:44:42free throw line
00:44:422-2.
00:44:48Got it to go.
00:44:49Make your
00:44:49playoff picks
00:44:50now with NBA
00:44:51Pick'em Bracket
00:44:53Challenge.
00:44:54Presented by
00:44:55Castro for a
00:44:56chance to win
00:44:56$1 million.
00:44:58Play free
00:44:59at NBA.com
00:45:00backslash
00:45:00bracket
00:45:01or on
00:45:02the NBA
00:45:03app.
00:45:04Brooks again.
00:45:05So he fractured
00:45:06his left wrist.
00:45:08He was out
00:45:08five weeks.
00:45:09He missed
00:45:1018 games.
00:45:12This is the
00:45:12seventh game
00:45:13back.
00:45:13He has
00:45:13struggled
00:45:14scoring since.
00:45:15Yeah, but it
00:45:15throws off
00:45:16your rhythm.
00:45:16I don't care
00:45:17how long
00:45:17you've been
00:45:18playing this
00:45:18game in
00:45:18particular.
00:45:20When you're
00:45:21not in
00:45:22basketball shape
00:45:23anymore,
00:45:23your legs are
00:45:24not in two
00:45:25or your shot
00:45:25comes up
00:45:26short.
00:45:28But defensively
00:45:29he's trying to
00:45:29be as active
00:45:31as he can.
00:45:32I like the
00:45:32fact that
00:45:33Kevin, he's
00:45:33not trying to
00:45:34force his
00:45:35offense though,
00:45:36which a lot
00:45:37of players
00:45:37would try to
00:45:38do to get
00:45:38themselves back
00:45:39involved in
00:45:40the game.
00:45:41They were
00:45:42going into
00:45:42Kamara
00:45:43with nine
00:45:44seconds on
00:45:45the shot
00:45:45clock on
00:45:45the inbound.
00:45:46Here's
00:45:46Brooks on
00:45:47the side.
00:45:48Brooks to
00:45:49Holiday.
00:45:51Goodwin open
00:45:51for three.
00:45:53Now they'll be
00:45:54getting to
00:45:54fall.
00:45:55They are,
00:45:55but that's in
00:45:56transition,
00:45:56Kevin.
00:45:58To be able to
00:45:59get out,
00:45:59suck in the
00:46:00defense,
00:46:00move it a
00:46:01little bit,
00:46:01and Brooks
00:46:02that time
00:46:02with the
00:46:02smart,
00:46:03intelligent
00:46:03play to get
00:46:04it out to
00:46:05Goodwin.
00:46:05Holiday triple,
00:46:06Brookett.
00:46:09That stops
00:46:10an 8-0
00:46:11Phoenix Suns
00:46:12run.
00:46:13Holiday with
00:46:1414.
00:46:1616.
00:46:19Avdia and
00:46:20Whistle at the
00:46:21other end.
00:46:21With 31 seconds
00:46:23to go in the
00:46:24first half,
00:46:26Grant picked
00:46:27up the foul.
00:46:31and they're
00:46:33looking at
00:46:34that replay.
00:46:38Here's
00:46:38Green at the
00:46:39free throw
00:46:39line.
00:46:40Grant picks
00:46:41up his
00:46:42third.
00:46:43Jalen Green
00:46:43shoots two.
00:46:50And he gets
00:46:51the first
00:46:51stay tuned
00:46:52for the
00:46:52half,
00:46:53presented by
00:46:53AT&T as
00:46:54we watch
00:46:55this again.
00:47:02And Green
00:47:03will get
00:47:03another try.
00:47:04Here's
00:47:05Shaden Sharp
00:47:05coming in.
00:47:08We have
00:47:08the 31
00:47:09and a
00:47:09.2
00:47:10to go
00:47:10in the
00:47:11first half.
00:47:14Winner
00:47:14here will
00:47:15face the
00:47:15number two
00:47:16seed
00:47:16San Antonio
00:47:17Spurs.
00:47:19We'll have
00:47:20that 62
00:47:20win season
00:47:21in the
00:47:22first round.
00:47:23That'll
00:47:23begin this
00:47:24weekend.
00:47:2520 seconds
00:47:26to go.
00:47:26The
00:47:26difference
00:47:27is seven
00:47:27seconds.
00:47:28Game
00:47:28clock
00:47:28and shot
00:47:29clock.
00:47:30Avdia
00:47:30and
00:47:31Booker
00:47:31there.
00:47:32Quick
00:47:33clicks
00:47:33again.
00:47:34Inside.
00:47:36Kamara.
00:47:37Got it.
00:47:41Final
00:47:41seconds.
00:47:43The lead
00:47:44is seven
00:47:45for the
00:47:46visiting
00:47:46Portland
00:47:47Trailblazers.
00:47:48Green
00:47:48three.
00:47:49As he
00:47:50fired.
00:47:51Count it.
00:47:52With one
00:47:53second to
00:47:54go in the
00:47:54first half.
00:48:00on the
00:48:02Blazers and
00:48:03Kamara.
00:48:04Number two.
00:48:06Kevin, we
00:48:07may have to
00:48:07bookmark this
00:48:08play from a
00:48:11momentum
00:48:11perspective.
00:48:12Going into
00:48:13halftime if he
00:48:14completes this
00:48:14four-point
00:48:16opportunity.
00:48:17You find
00:48:18yourself only
00:48:19down by three
00:48:20points when you,
00:48:21a couple minutes
00:48:22ago were down
00:48:23double-digits
00:48:24momentum in
00:48:25Portland's
00:48:25way just to
00:48:27shift
00:48:27everything.
00:48:29Dean
00:48:29Green.
00:48:32It's a
00:48:32four-point
00:48:33play.
00:48:33He's got
00:48:3422 points
00:48:35and the
00:48:35buzzer
00:48:35sounds.
00:48:37And that
00:48:37ends the
00:48:38first half.
00:48:39And it
00:48:39was a
00:48:39thriller.
00:48:40At one
00:48:41point,
00:48:41Portland
00:48:41led by
00:48:4214.
00:48:42The
00:48:43half
00:48:43presented
00:48:43by
00:48:43AT&T
00:48:44coming up
00:48:45with
00:48:45Taylor
00:48:45Rooks,
00:48:46Blake
00:48:46Griffin,
00:48:47Dirk
00:48:47Nowitzki,
00:48:48and
00:48:48Udonis
00:48:50Haslam.
00:48:51It's a
00:48:51big-time
00:48:52scoring.
00:48:52The Suns
00:48:53end the
00:48:54half on
00:48:54a 14-5
00:48:56run.
00:48:59The
00:48:59winner
00:48:59to the
00:49:00playoffs.
00:49:00The
00:49:01loser
00:49:01is still
00:49:01alive.
00:49:02He'll
00:49:02host
00:49:03another
00:49:03chance
00:49:03on
00:49:04Friday.
00:49:05Take
00:49:05a break
00:49:06and take
00:49:06you to
00:49:07our
00:49:07studios.
00:49:07You're
00:49:08watching
00:49:08the NBA
00:49:09play-in
00:49:10tournament
00:49:10on
00:49:11Prime.
00:49:14The
00:49:15Half
00:49:15presented
00:49:16by
00:49:16AT&T.
00:49:20Halftime
00:49:20in
00:49:21Phoenix
00:49:21and
00:49:21the
00:49:21Blazers
00:49:22lead
00:49:22the
00:49:22Suns
00:49:2365-62.
00:49:24The
00:49:24winner
00:49:24tonight
00:49:24gets
00:49:25the
00:49:257-seed
00:49:26in
00:49:27the
00:49:27West.
00:49:27Welcome
00:49:28on
00:49:28in.
00:49:28I'm
00:49:28Taylor
00:49:28Rooks
00:49:29with
00:49:29Dirk
00:49:29Nowitzki,
00:49:29Blake
00:49:29Griffin,
00:49:30and
00:49:30Udonis
00:49:30Haslam.
00:49:31While
00:49:31we're
00:49:31at
00:49:31the
00:49:32break
00:49:32in
00:49:32Phoenix,
00:49:32we
00:49:33have
00:49:33got
00:49:33to
00:49:33get
00:49:34to
00:49:34the
00:49:34game.
00:49:34Everybody
00:49:35is
00:49:35still
00:49:35talking
00:49:36about
00:49:36the
00:49:36East
00:49:379-10
00:49:38elimination
00:49:38matchup
00:49:43quarter
00:49:43where
00:49:44there
00:49:44was
00:49:44an
00:49:44unfortunate
00:49:46news
00:49:46for
00:49:47the
00:49:47Heat.
00:49:47We
00:49:47see
00:49:47LaMelo
00:49:48drive in
00:49:49and as
00:49:49he loses
00:49:50his balance,
00:49:51takes
00:49:51Bam's legs
00:49:52out from under
00:49:52him,
00:49:53Bam goes
00:49:53down really
00:49:54hard.
00:49:55The
00:49:55refs did
00:49:55not take
00:49:56another look
00:49:57at this.
00:49:57Bam would
00:49:58head to
00:49:58the locker
00:49:58room and
00:49:59eventually
00:50:00be ruled
00:50:01out.
00:50:03In
00:50:04the fourth
00:50:04quarter now,
00:50:05about 13
00:50:06on the
00:50:06clock,
00:50:06Hornets
00:50:06down
00:50:07three.
00:50:08Kobe
00:50:09White
00:50:09puts up
00:50:09a
00:50:09desperation
00:50:10catch
00:50:10and shoots
00:50:10three.
00:50:11He
00:50:11was
00:50:11huge
00:50:12in this
00:50:12one,
00:50:12guys.
00:50:15Look at
00:50:16UD's
00:50:16face.
00:50:18Sick.
00:50:19Sick.
00:50:21That was
00:50:22a
00:50:22O.D.
00:50:23He
00:50:23down five.
00:50:24I was surprised
00:50:26on that one,
00:50:26too.
00:50:29No hard
00:50:30feelings,
00:50:30guys.
00:50:30Sorry,
00:50:31UD.
00:50:31Final moments
00:50:32of the game,
00:50:33Hornets down
00:50:33one.
00:50:34Tough drive.
00:50:35Tough drive.
00:50:37Tough drive.
00:50:38Damian Mitchell
00:50:39here then gets
00:50:40his shot blocked
00:50:41by Miles.
00:50:42Oh,
00:50:43Miles.
00:50:43Gageous and
00:50:44the Heat are
00:50:45eliminated.
00:50:46The Hornets stay
00:50:47alive in the play-in
00:50:49tournament,
00:50:49winning an absolute
00:50:50thriller.
00:50:52Huge block.
00:50:52Huge block.
00:50:54You all right,
00:50:54UD?
00:50:55UD?
00:50:56Can't complain.
00:50:57You can't complain,
00:50:57UD?
00:50:58Now,
00:50:58Eric Spolstra,
00:50:59after the game,
00:51:00spoke about that
00:51:01play involving
00:51:02LaMelo that ended
00:51:03with Bam getting
00:51:04injured.
00:51:06That's a shame.
00:51:07You know,
00:51:07he should be
00:51:08penalized for that.
00:51:09I don't think that
00:51:10belongs in the game.
00:51:11You know,
00:51:11tripping guys,
00:51:12you know,
00:51:13shenanigans.
00:51:14Somebody has got
00:51:15to see that.
00:51:16And that,
00:51:17you know,
00:51:18he should have been
00:51:18thrown out of the game,
00:51:19you know,
00:51:19for that.
00:51:21I don't know him from,
00:51:22you know,
00:51:23anyone.
00:51:24I just,
00:51:24there's no place
00:51:25in the game for that.
00:51:28Now we hear Spoh's
00:51:29reaction there.
00:51:30Wanted to say that
00:51:31on the podium
00:51:31after the win,
00:51:32LaMelo apologized
00:51:33to Bam saying,
00:51:34I apologize on that one.
00:51:36I got hit in the head,
00:51:37did not know where I was,
00:51:38but I'm going to check
00:51:39on him and see if he's
00:51:40okay and everything.
00:51:41I mean,
00:51:42your reaction to both
00:51:42Spoh and LaMelo,
00:51:44UD?
00:51:44Spoh's a guy who does
00:51:45not give the team
00:51:46excuses.
00:51:47He does not make
00:51:47excuses,
00:51:48so if this is something
00:51:49he brought up,
00:51:50he definitely feels like
00:51:51this has a direct
00:51:51impact on the game,
00:51:52and I feel like it does
00:51:53as well.
00:51:54I'm not a guy that
00:51:55gives guys opportunities
00:51:56to take the easy way out,
00:51:57but when you give up
00:51:5825 second chance points
00:51:59and your best rebounder
00:52:01is out of the game,
00:52:02the guy when he comes
00:52:02out of the game,
00:52:03you actually fall to
00:52:0329th in rebounder
00:52:05percentage,
00:52:05so you needed Bam
00:52:06in this game to go
00:52:07against this team
00:52:08who attacks the boards
00:52:09the way they do,
00:52:09so if you look at this
00:52:10game and how close it was,
00:52:11you take away those
00:52:1225 points,
00:52:12so you either cut him
00:52:13in half on that
00:52:14offensive rebounder
00:52:15and you win that game.
00:52:16Yeah,
00:52:16it is super unfortunate,
00:52:17and it isn't a
00:52:19basketball play.
00:52:19I'm also curious
00:52:20what the refs would
00:52:21have called if they
00:52:22had called it.
00:52:24We've seen some
00:52:25trips.
00:52:26I'm thinking of it
00:52:26in B last year
00:52:27in the first round
00:52:28against Mitchell Robinson
00:52:29pulling him down
00:52:29to the ground.
00:52:30It was a flagrant one,
00:52:31so I don't know.
00:52:32I mean,
00:52:32it definitely doesn't
00:52:33have a place in the game,
00:52:34but I don't know
00:52:34if he would have
00:52:35got kicked out.
00:52:35Yeah,
00:52:36I hate that we did
00:52:36not see Bam
00:52:37all the way in this one,
00:52:38but what a game
00:52:39by the Hornets
00:52:40and specifically
00:52:41Kobe White.
00:52:42Yeah,
00:52:43this game was crazy.
00:52:44UD had him
00:52:45as his X-Factor
00:52:46and he just made
00:52:47one big shot
00:52:47after the next.
00:52:48Khan didn't have
00:52:50it going today,
00:52:50so Kobe White
00:52:53stepped up.
00:52:54Missed North Carolina
00:52:55basketball player.
00:52:56One big shot.
00:52:57You brought it up
00:52:58before the game.
00:52:59I did.
00:52:59I shouldn't say
00:52:59nothing.
00:53:00One big shot
00:53:00after the next.
00:53:01This was obviously
00:53:02the biggest attire
00:53:02to send it to OT,
00:53:04but incredible
00:53:05picking up the slack
00:53:07for Khan
00:53:08and really LaMelo
00:53:09who didn't shoot
00:53:09the ball well either,
00:53:10so Kobe was there.
00:53:12Miles Pritchett's
00:53:12incredible,
00:53:13so that was
00:53:14a nuts game.
00:53:15Now,
00:53:15back and forth,
00:53:16both teams had it
00:53:17won,
00:53:17lost it again.
00:53:18Incredible game.
00:53:19Yeah,
00:53:19and the Hornets
00:53:20will play the losers
00:53:20of Sixers Magic.
00:53:22That game coverage
00:53:22begins tomorrow
00:53:23at 7 Eastern
00:53:24right here on Prime.
00:53:25All right,
00:53:25time for Court Connection
00:53:26presented by AT&T
00:53:28in Phoenix.
00:53:30Vinnyadia in Phoenix.
00:53:31Oh, my goodness.
00:53:32Throwing it up.
00:53:32Hi.
00:53:33Did you see his head?
00:53:34Jump over him.
00:53:35Oh, my goodness.
00:53:36The half presented
00:53:37by AT&T.
00:53:38Thank you,
00:53:39the only one
00:53:39used to be able
00:53:40to do that, Blake.
00:53:40Yeah, not anymore.
00:53:42These are gold ligaments.
00:53:43Oh, the lefty layup.
00:53:44We're at the break
00:53:45in Phoenix.
00:53:46The Blazers lead
00:53:47the Sun 65-62
00:53:48and the winner
00:53:49earns the seventh seed
00:53:51in the West.
00:53:51The second half
00:53:52is coming up
00:53:53right after this.
00:53:55That's great.
00:53:59The half
00:54:00is presented
00:54:01by AT&T.
00:54:03Connecting changes
00:54:03everything.
00:54:28From Phoenix,
00:54:30you're watching
00:54:30the SoFi NBA
00:54:32play-in tournament
00:54:33on Prime,
00:54:34exclusively on Prime.
00:54:36Beautiful night
00:54:38here on the Valley
00:54:38of the Sun.
00:54:39Jim Jackson,
00:54:40Kevin Harlow.
00:54:41We're going to check
00:54:41in with Allie Clifton
00:54:42in just a second.
00:54:43The three-point shooting.
00:54:44The statistics
00:54:45pointed one way,
00:54:46but in this game,
00:54:48in the first half,
00:54:49at least,
00:54:49they've gone
00:54:50the complete opposite way.
00:54:51This is one of those
00:54:53things, too,
00:54:53where shot quality,
00:54:55shot selection,
00:54:56sharing the basketball
00:54:57means something,
00:54:58in particular on the road
00:54:59because this is a team
00:55:01that shoots
00:55:0442 three-point shots
00:55:05a game,
00:55:06makes 14.
00:55:07Right now,
00:55:07they're 12 for 28.
00:55:08So that just tells you
00:55:09a lot about
00:55:10why we're at the point
00:55:12where they're
00:55:12a three-point shooting team
00:55:14and they're up right now,
00:55:1665-62.
00:55:17It's because,
00:55:18of course,
00:55:18the separation between that
00:55:20early in the game.
00:55:21The ability now
00:55:22to attract defense.
00:55:24Denny Obdia
00:55:25is going to do that.
00:55:26Now you've got to get
00:55:26off the ball.
00:55:27Shade and Sark
00:55:27attacks to close out
00:55:29sidestep bam
00:55:29in the corner.
00:55:30Drew Holiday
00:55:31inside,
00:55:32two feet in the paint.
00:55:33You get it outside,
00:55:35Thibel,
00:55:35and then Obdia
00:55:36not known as much
00:55:37off the dribble
00:55:38to catch and shoot.
00:55:40Able to do it again.
00:55:41Attracting defense,
00:55:42making shots,
00:55:43but then the ability
00:55:44to step back.
00:55:45Drew Holiday
00:55:46very aggressive
00:55:47as well from behind
00:55:48the three-point line.
00:55:49That was a look at
00:55:50tonight's
00:55:50points in the bank
00:55:52presented by
00:55:53SoFi.
00:55:54So,
00:55:55Drew Holiday
00:55:55has 14 points
00:55:57on nine shots.
00:55:59He's looked terrific
00:56:00in his 17 minutes
00:56:01on the floor.
00:56:02Moments ago,
00:56:02Allie caught up
00:56:03with the terrific
00:56:04veteran guard,
00:56:05the Blazers.
00:56:07Thanks so much,
00:56:08Kevin.
00:56:08Drew wants a 14-point lead.
00:56:10What allowed the Suns
00:56:11to cut it to three?
00:56:12I think they just
00:56:13made plays down the stretch
00:56:14in the end of that
00:56:15second half.
00:56:16But we've got to come out,
00:56:17stop fouling on threes,
00:56:18and just make good plays,
00:56:20solid defensive play.
00:56:21Obviously,
00:56:21Jalen and Devin
00:56:22combined for 38.
00:56:23What's the defensive
00:56:24balance that's required
00:56:25to slow them down
00:56:26in the second?
00:56:27It's going to be a team effort.
00:56:28We know that they like it
00:56:29from the three-point line
00:56:30into the mid-range.
00:56:31They also draw fouls,
00:56:32so we've got to come out
00:56:33here and be competitive.
00:56:34Drew, appreciate the time.
00:56:35Thank you.
00:56:35Kevin.
00:56:37Green for the Suns
00:56:38at 12 in the second.
00:56:4012 points for Abria,
00:56:42and here is the way
00:56:44the bracketing looks so far.
00:56:47The winner here
00:56:47will play two-seed San Antonio,
00:56:49a 62-win season for them.
00:56:53They were just
00:56:54absolutely phenomenal
00:56:55and exceeded
00:56:56what the preseason
00:56:57projections were for them,
00:56:59including Phoenix and Portland.
00:57:01Those are three teams
00:57:02that at the beginning
00:57:04of the year,
00:57:04they thought the win totals
00:57:06would be much less,
00:57:07and they were completely wrong.
00:57:09Charlotte,
00:57:10can you throw Charlotte
00:57:10in there as well?
00:57:12With regards to teams
00:57:13that have kind of
00:57:15overachieved
00:57:15through the course
00:57:16of the season,
00:57:17kind of found their rhythm,
00:57:19right going into
00:57:19All-Star break
00:57:20and post-All-Star break.
00:57:22The beauty of it, too,
00:57:23is I'm going to go back
00:57:24to Drew Holiday
00:57:25setting the tone, okay?
00:57:26He's been there,
00:57:27done that,
00:57:28won a championship.
00:57:28This is a man
00:57:29that came out
00:57:31aggressive on offense.
00:57:32Look,
00:57:33he already has
00:57:33nine field goal attempts.
00:57:34He only attempts
00:57:3513 throughout the season,
00:57:36so I think he's kind of
00:57:38quietly set the tone
00:57:39on how he wanted
00:57:40his team to play,
00:57:41which was aggressive early.
00:57:46Hey, Kevin,
00:57:46you've got to stop
00:57:47hanging on the rim, man.
00:57:48Right now,
00:57:48they're just on the rim
00:57:50right now.
00:57:50That is a problem,
00:57:51and now they're going to
00:57:53try to level it off
00:57:54as you are watching
00:57:56the engineers
00:57:57with the leveler
00:58:00and trying to find
00:58:02the right field.
00:58:03I don't know
00:58:04if they felt like
00:58:05one of the players
00:58:06complained,
00:58:06if the coach pointed that out,
00:58:08or the official,
00:58:08but someone noticed it,
00:58:10and here is the
00:58:11correction being made.
00:58:13So Portland,
00:58:13in this first half,
00:58:15plus 24 points
00:58:16on threes,
00:58:18and Portland's bench,
00:58:19here's another factor
00:58:20in this game.
00:58:21The bench of the Blazers
00:58:22is plus 15
00:58:24through the first half.
00:58:26All hands on deck mentality,
00:58:28but that's what you have
00:58:29to have as a young team,
00:58:32you know,
00:58:32with some veterans
00:58:33sprinkled in,
00:58:34but your core
00:58:36is a little bit younger
00:58:36that hasn't been
00:58:37in this situation,
00:58:38so valuing the basketball,
00:58:40being able to have
00:58:41production across the board,
00:58:43and taking high-quality shots,
00:58:45not taking shots
00:58:46that lead to fast-break
00:58:48opportunities
00:58:49for the Phoenix Suns.
00:58:50And to your point
00:58:51about the turnovers,
00:58:52the Blazers averaged
00:58:5319 turnovers
00:58:55in their three games
00:58:57this season
00:58:58against the Phoenix Suns,
00:58:59and they commit
00:59:00as many turnovers
00:59:00as any team in the league.
00:59:02They only had four,
00:59:03four Portland turnovers
00:59:05in that first half,
00:59:07but they miss a shot here
00:59:08that never even hit the rim,
00:59:10a turnover,
00:59:11and so that's number five,
00:59:13and Brooks
00:59:14trying to get some space,
00:59:15and a foul called
00:59:17on Drew Holiday,
00:59:17who is defending,
00:59:18and they have been
00:59:19going at it
00:59:20pretty much
00:59:20all game long.
00:59:21Now they have two
00:59:23ferocious defenders
00:59:24to take pride
00:59:25in playing
00:59:26one-on-one defense.
00:59:30Williams on top,
00:59:31Brooks will try
00:59:32to set the screen,
00:59:33Green with the terrific
00:59:34scoring first half,
00:59:35on the fly,
00:59:36bumped,
00:59:37but no foul,
00:59:38Avdia the other way,
00:59:40and they get it out of the wing,
00:59:42and here comes Holiday.
00:59:43He'll try to penetrate
00:59:44with the fake,
00:59:45and a lot of congestion
00:59:46in the paint,
00:59:47and torn away by Brooks.
00:59:48What time that spin
00:59:49perfectly
00:59:50to get the steal,
00:59:51and that time,
00:59:52Green in transition,
00:59:53once again,
00:59:54schooled to Henderson.
00:59:56Henderson fouled in
00:59:57by Brooks
00:59:57as he was flying.
00:59:59I'll tell you what,
01:00:00a lot of
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