PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - CJ McCollum scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 134-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
‘’That was crazy,’’ Billups said of getting soaked postgame. ‘’I knew I was in trouble when I saw everyone getting their cameras out. All I know is that water was cold as hell. We couldn’t find any room temperature water?’’
McCollum’s hot shooting set the pace for the Blazers to their first win of the season.
Damian Lillard finished with 19 points and eight assists, while Anfernee Simons pitched in 18 points off the bench. But the defense was what caught the coach’s eye.
‘’There were times where it was like we had six guys on the floor,’’ Billups said. ‘’People were just giving so many multiple efforts.’’
Devin Booker led the Suns with 21 points in the loss.
Lillard made his first 3-pointer of the season with 1:03 left in the second quarter after missing his first 11 attempts behind the arc. Portland led by 20 at halftime, with the only first half mishap coming when Norman Powell left the game with 5:43 remaining in the second quarter due to a left knee injury.
Nassir Little started the second half in Powell’s place.
Portland led by as many as 37.