The Portland Trail Blazers picked up a nice win against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night (Oct. 28), as Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 48 points and 15 assists. The duo led the Blazers to a second win over the Suns in the first two weeks of the 2017-18 NBA regular season, with this one a little closer than the 48-point win to open the season. Though it was 114-107, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicates.

Seven Blazers players scored in double-figures, including all five starters. Each of the starters finished with at least five rebounds as well, showing that rebounding continues to be one of the strengths of the Blazers.

The best stat line belonged to Lillard, who finished with 25 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. The team wasn’t too impressive from the field, though, shooting just 44 percent for the night.

Good defense for Blazers

In addition to out-rebounding the Phoenix Suns 53-46, the Portland Trail Blazers also held their opponent to just 42.5 percent shooting from the field. That defense didn’t do too much to stop Devin Booker, though, as he finished with 34 points on just 11-of-19 shooting from the field. Booker is emerging as a star in the NBA and could be getting wasted on a team that continues to flounder in the Western Conference.

One of the storylines that continues to come out of Phoenix is the drama that surrounds Eric Bledsoe.

The franchise is trying to trade Bledsoe following some off-court drama between the franchise and its star guard. It’s a tough point of the NBA season to try to make a deal that will benefit the team, but the front office is trying to find the right return package. It could end up being future draft picks, as teams are reluctant to deal young players.

Updated NBA standings

After the win over the Suns, the Trail Blazers are the first-place team in the Northwest Division at 4-2. The Blazers are just ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3), Utah Jazz (3-3), and Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3). Overall, the Blazers are tied for fifth place in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors.

The team is exceeding expectations when compared to the rest of the conference through the first two weeks.

The next game for the Portland Trail Blazers comes on Monday night (Oct. 30) when they host the Toronto Raptors (3-2). Game time is 7 PM PT and it should be a good test for the Blazers. The Raptors are another team talented at the guard positions, with point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan routinely among the best players in the Eastern Conference.