Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott pointed to possessions, paint defense and late-game execution after his team fell 114-110 to the Portland Trail Blazers in Tuesday’s Western Conference play-in game in Phoenix.
Ott opened his postgame breakdown by explaining the final possession, when Jalen Green got a look from three. “The goal is to get Book the ball and get our spacing around him. He drove it. Jalen’s got help. He made the right play. Got a pretty good look. Holiday got a great contest,” Ott said.
Portland’s Deni Avdija controlled the game with 41 points and 12 assists, and Ott made it clear the Suns knew exactly who they were trying to stop. “Give credit to him. 41 points, 12 assists. I thought he was phenomenal. His size, his strength, his ability to get to the free throw line in key moments. So, credit to him.”
Ott said Phoenix’s fourth-quarter approach was built around getting matchups it wanted, but the Suns could not keep the Blazers off the paint or off the glass. “It really came down to stops. I thought all night we really struggled to keep them out of the paint, which they’re elite at,” he said.
That rebounding battle mattered in a game decided by four points. “So, again, it comes down to we talk about possession game, lost a possession game, two four-point game, lost a possession game by three,” Ott said.
Phoenix also had trouble generating enough three-point volume, finishing 9-of-25 from deep while Portland hit 17 threes. Ott said the Suns still have to balance spacing with the mid-range game their scorers create. “There’s probably some windows that we missed them spraying the ball out for some high quality shots,” he said.
Still, he praised the shot-making that did come, especially from Jalen Green, who scored 35 points. “He was scoring all over the court, you know, he was getting in the teeth of their defense and being patient about it. And knocking down tough shots. He carried us well tonight.”
Ott also addressed the emotional reset needed before Friday’s next play-in opportunity. “Just, you know, the goal is get in. Just get in any way possible. It’s been our goal for a while. So, we got to move on. We got to move on. It sucks.”
The Suns now have one more chance to extend their season, and Ott said the response starts immediately. “Tomorrow will be taking care of your body, extending minutes. Take care of their body. We’ll watch this film.”
He also stressed the importance of playing at home again. “Massive. I mean, I think that’s the big key to getting the seven seed. You have two shots at this thing. On your home court,” Ott said.
