Suns Crush Blazers 127-110 in NBC's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday Showdown

The Phoenix Suns didn’t just win—they announced themselves as a force in the Western Conference, routing the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game, part of NBA on NBC's 'Coast 2 Coast Tuesday', tipped off at 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time and drew a late-night crowd both in the arena and on Peacock, NBC’s streaming arm. What followed wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement. The Suns, now 9-6, looked like a team finding its rhythm, while the Blazers, falling to 6-8, continue to struggle with consistency despite flashes of brilliance.

A Night of Stars and Struggles

Shooting guard Devin Armani Booker led the Suns with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals—his usual calm efficiency under pressure. But it was Collin Gillespie, the underrated point guard acquired in the offseason, who sparked the offense with another 19 points, hitting four of nine from deep. Meanwhile, Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe put on a scoring clinic, dropping a game-high 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting, but it wasn’t enough. The Blazers’ defense, porous all night, let the Suns shoot 52% from the field and 41% from three. Even with Sharpe’s heroics, Portland couldn’t contain the Suns’ ball movement, which resulted in 28 assists compared to Portland’s 19.

It was a night of contrasts. The Suns, who entered the game 1-4 on the road, looked right at home in a hostile environment. The Blazers, despite the electric energy of the 19,393 fans packed into the Moda Center, couldn’t sustain momentum. After a 12-2 run in the third quarter pushed Phoenix ahead by 15, Portland’s offense stalled. Their leading scorer, Deni Avdija, managed just 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and the team’s bench contributed only 22 points—far below their season average of 38.

The Bigger Picture: Playoffs on the Line

This wasn’t just another win. For the Suns, it was a bounce-back after three straight road losses. For the Blazers, it was their fourth straight defeat—and their seventh in the last nine games. With the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting at 15-1 atop the West, and the Nuggets and Timberwolves hot on their heels, every game matters. Portland, now 8.5 games out of the top seed, is slipping out of playoff contention. The Suns? They’re right in the mix. And with two more meetings scheduled—February 3 in Portland and February 22 in Phoenix—they’re building a psychological edge.

Historically, the Suns have dominated this rivalry. According to Sportstwo.com, the all-time series stands at 134 wins for Phoenix, 114 for Portland. Last season, the teams split their four matchups 2-2. This year, the Suns took the first swing—and it was a hard one. NBC Insider called it a “tone-setter,” and rightly so. With both teams vying for a top-six seed in the West, these games could decide who gets home-court advantage in the first round.

Behind the Scenes: Broadcast, Venue, and Business

The game was televised nationally on NBC and streamed exclusively on Peacock, as part of the network’s new “Coast 2 Coast Tuesday” initiative—a clever scheduling move to spotlight West Coast teams in primetime Eastern slots. The Moda Center, owned by Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, buzzed with energy, but the broadcast’s commentary noted how “viewers wouldn’t be blamed for firing up Peacock and taking it to bed.” That’s the reality of late-night NBA games: they’re not always about the crowd—they’re about accessibility.

Behind the scenes, the NBA’s headquarters at 645 Fifth Avenue, New York continues to refine its media partnerships. This game was one of 15 national broadcasts scheduled for NBC this season. Peacock, headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is betting big on NBA streaming, especially with younger audiences who prefer on-demand viewing over cable.

What’s Next? The Road to February

Phoenix heads into a three-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Their next big test? A back-to-back against the Denver Nuggets on November 25 and 26. Portland, meanwhile, returns home for three straight, starting with a clash against the Golden State Warriors. But the real story is February. The February 3 game in Portland will be another NBC broadcast—and it could be the most crucial of the season. If the Blazers win, they stay alive in the playoff race. If the Suns win again? It might be curtains for Portland’s postseason hopes.

And here’s the twist: Portland’s roster still has talent. Sharpe, 22, is becoming a star. Brooks and O’Neale bring grit. But without consistent defense and ball movement, they’re a team with potential but no momentum. The Suns? They’ve got Booker, Gillespie, and a coaching staff that’s finally figured out how to maximize their depth. This win wasn’t luck. It was execution.