Portland 74, Phoenix 73 (F)

LAS VEGAS, July 19 – Jerryd Bayless scored 17 fourth-quarter points and hit the game-winning jumper with 18 seconds left to lead the Portland Trial Blazers to a 74-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns at the NBA 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, when Bernard Robinson connected on a shot underneath the basket. 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 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 game at 48-48, the first tie since the start of the game. The Suns were able to buckle down and hold on to a three-point lead heading into the final period.

In a hotly contested fourth quarter, featuring five lead changes and three ties, the Blazers earned their first lead of the ballgame on a Bayless jump shot with 8:15 to play.

Bayless guided the Blazers with a game-high 36 points. The Suns offense featured three players in double figures led by Tucker, who tallied a team-high 18 points.

Both teams will close out their summer schedule on Sunday. Phoenix will play their final game at 3 p.m. against the Washington Wizards and the Blazers will play the Hornets at 5 p.m. Both games will be played in the COX Pavilion.