Suns melt down in 4th in Portland

The Phoenix Suns let one get away Thursday night in Portland, squandering a 15-point 4th quarter lead in a 105-102 loss to the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.

Former St. Mary’s High School and University of Arizona star Jerryd Bayless spearheaded the effort for the Blazers, scoring a career-high 29 points, including 16 points in the 4th quarter.

Brandon Roy added 27 for Portland. Amare Stoudemire had 27 to pace Phoenix and Grant Hill added 20.

The loss was the Suns’ 17th straight in games televised on TNT.

In all, the Suns led for 37:15 of the ball game, including the entire the first 19:34 of the second half, but Bayless’ reverse layup with just under 4 minutes to play gave the Blazers a 94-92 lead, one that they would not relinquish.

The Suns are now 17-9 on the season, and have fallen under .500 (8-9) on the road. Portland improved their record to 16-11.

Phoenix returns home for their longest homestand of the season to this point, a 4-gamer, starting with the Washington Wizards on Saturday night at U.S. Airways Center.

Highlights from NBA.com/TNT

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