Portland Trail Blazers (5-2, second in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (6-1, first in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix seeks to build upon its five-game win streak with a victory against Portland.
Phoenix finished 7-6 overall and 39-13 in Western Conference action a season ago. The Suns averaged 107.6 points per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 36.3% from behind the arc last season.
Portland finished 27-55 overall and 11-41 in Western Conference action during the 2021-22 season. The Trail Blazers gave up 115.1 points per game while committing 21.1 fouls last season.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last matchup 113-111 in overtime on Oct. 22, with Damian Lillard scoring 41 points in the win.
INJURIES: Suns: Deandre Ayton: out (ankle), Ish Wainright: day to day (personal).
Trail Blazers: Trendon Watford: out (hip), Gary Payton II: out (core), Damian Lillard: out (calf), Olivier Sarr: out (wrist).
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The Associated Press
