Die Macht » referee could award Knights fullback Jake

PHOENIX -- In need of a go-to guy at the end of a tight game, the Phoenix Suns turned to Eric Bledsoe, and the veteran guard delivered. Both times.Bledsoe dropped in a rainbow 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, giving the Suns a 118-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.He had also scored a go-ahead basket with 1.1 seconds left in regulation.Bledsoe finished with 20 points, his only 3 of the night being the game-winner. The shot, made over the outstretched arms of Blazers star guard Damian Lillard, gave the Suns their first win of the season.I wanted the ball, Bledsoe said. I was just going to get whatever they gave me. The shot was there, I took the shot and just took it with confidence, and you live with the results.The Suns, who made 6 of 10 shots and both free throws in overtime, got 27 points from T.J. Warren and 18 from Alex Len while center Tyson Chandler had 18 rebounds.Phoenix outscored Portland 62-38 in the paint. The Blazers played the second of back-to-back games after a home loss to Golden State on Tuesday.The Suns went ahead by six points with 38.5 seconds left in overtime, but the Blazers tied it at 115 when Lillard scored and was fouled with 6.4 seconds.Lillards 27 points led the Blazers, with C.J. McCollum adding 24.We played good defense, he just made a tough shot, Lillard said.I dont know what Bledsoe shot from the field (7 of 20) but Ill take that shot every day of the week, McCollum said.Bledsoes layup with 1.1 seconds left in regulation gave the Suns a 103-101 lead, but after a timeout, Mason Plumlee inbounded to Meyers Leonard for a layup at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.To be in two overtime games (this season) against playoff teams, theres no better experience for such a young group, Suns coach Earl Watson said. Today was the first time I really felt like we actually became a family.The Blazers took a 90-83 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Suns came back to take a 93-92 lead on Warrens running bank shot with 2:47 to play.Suns guard Devin Booker, who missed Mondays game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a toe injury, returned to the starting lineup and finished with 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting.Portland led for much of the second quarter and went ahead 50-43 on Maurice Harkless 3-pointer with 4:07 left. The Suns responded by going on a 10-0 run capped off by Bledsoes layup and free throw and led 57-53 at halftime.The Suns took a 76-73 lead into the fourth quarter.TIP-INSBlazers: C Festus Ezeli remains out with a left knee injury. ... No Blazer saw more time on the court than Lillards 40 minutes.Suns: The Suns had been one of the most turnover-prone teams in the NBA, averaging 16 per game entering Wednesday. They committed only 12 against the Blazers.KNIGHT FLIERThe play that energized the Suns comeback late in regulation time was Brandon Knights one-handed throwdown over Turner with 5:41 left in the fourth. It brought the Suns bench and the crowd to its feet.That was a huge play, Len said. Hes just getting healthy ... so now you can see when we get him back, he has athleticism, his bounce back.`DAME TIMELillard is the first NBA player to score 27 or more points in each of his teams first five games since Kobe Bryant did so with the Lakers at the outset of the 2005-06 season. Lillards 163 points in the seasons first five games are the most ever by a Blazer to start a season.FOCUS ON DEFENSEWatson believes the Suns can be a top defensive team in the NBA at some point this season. He said analytics showed they were 13th in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions before Mondays games.We know were going to get better. We understand we just played three of the top four teams in the NBA (Oklahoma City, Golden State, Clippers) so the sample size is too soon to judge, Watson said before Wednesdays game. We believe we can end up top seven easily.CULTURAL CELEBRATIONThe Suns celebrated Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday, to honor their Latino fan base Wednesday night. They wore their purple Los Suns jerseys, a group of mariachis played the national anthem and fans received calavera, or skull head, bobbleheads.UP NEXTBlazers: At Dallas on Friday night.Suns: At New Orleans on Thursday night. Khalil Mack Womens Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Anthony Miller Youth Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. https://www.bearssportsgoods.com/Womens-Ha-Clinton-Dix-Inverted-Jersey/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Tom Waddle Youth Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Richard Dent Youth Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will ask the NRL for clarification of the obstruction rule after he and skipper Cameron Smith were left confused over Newcastles first try on Sunday.Bellamy said he couldnt see how, under the current interpretation of the obstruction rule, the video referee could award Knights fullback Jake Mamo with a first-half try.Mamo slipped through a gap in the Storm defence in the 21st minute and dotted down to level the scores.On-field referee Henry Perenara sent the try upstairs for a possible obstruction and replays appeared to show Mamo take the pass from halfback Trent Hodkinson inside lead runner Mitch Barnett.But after much deliberation the bunker gave the green light.Smith argued the point with Perenara and was mercilessly booed by Knights fans.They said that Cooper made a bad defensive read, Smith said afterwards.Weve been told that those sweep runners out the back cant receive the ball inside thhose punch runners or block runners.ddddddddddddI thought that was the case today.I was just a little bit confused.Bellamy agreed with his skipper and said he would be following the decision up with the NRL.There has been some tries earlier in the year where if you catch the ball on the inside of your lead runner its no try, Bellamy said.I know we got one disallowed against the Warriors and there were a few others. If that interpretation has been changed, wed like to hear about it.Ill ask - hopefully we can get an explanation that satisfies everyone.Knights coach Nathan Brown said he thought Mamos effort was a try.I thought it was definitely a fair try, simply because (Mitch Barnett) had drifted out and Cooper ran to him, Brown said.It is Coopers decision.If he doesnt run to him there is no space. ' ' '