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Suns fall to Blazers on Bayless’ late shot
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LAS VEGAS - Jerryd Bayless scored 17 fourth-quarter points and hit the game-winning jumper with 18 seconds left to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 74-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Vegas Summer League on Saturday.
The Suns jumped out to an 11-2 lead and held the Blazers to just 11 first-quarter points. Portland’s first field goal didn’t come until the 5:06 mark. Leading by as many as 13 points, the Suns led 21-11 at the close of the period.
The Suns led by 10 at the end of the first half after a solid second-quarter effort led by Alando Tucker, who tallied seven points in the period, and Vladimir Golubovic, who chipped in six points.
Bayless, a Phoenix St. Mary’s and University of Arizona product, came out strong for the Blazers in the second period, scoring all nine of his first-half points in the quarter.
The Blazers came out on fire after break, starting the second half on a 12-5 and cutting the Suns’ lead to three with 6:02 left in the quarter. Morris Finley connected on a jumper with 3:44 remaining to tie the score at 48-all.
The Suns buckled down and held a three-point lead heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter featured five lead changes and three ties, with the Blazers taking their first lead of the game on a Bayless jump shot with 8:15 to play.
Bayless guided the Blazers with a game-high 36 points. Tucker led the Suns with 18 points and added eight rebounds. D.J. Strawberry scored 15 points and rookie Robin Lopez chipped in with eight points and eight boards.
The Suns will close out their summer schedule at 3 p.m. today against the Washington Wizards.
BONUS SHOT: Robin Lopez was named to the USA Basketball Select Team on Saturday. Kevin Love (Timberwolves) was also named the team, which will remain in Las Vegas through July 24 to help the men’s senior national team prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
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