Richardson has 42 and Suns take 2-1 series lead with 108-89 victory over Blazers

Suns go up 2-1 against Blazers with 108-89 victory

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jason Richardson scored a playoff career-high 42 points and the Phoenix Suns dominated from the start in a 108-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night that gave them a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.

The Suns led by as many as 31 points before Portland mounted a rally in the fourth quarter, closing within 91-80 after Rudy Fernandez hit three consecutive 3-pointers.

The burst came too late for the Blazers, who suffered a setback when starting forward Nicolas Batum aggravated a shoulder injury in the first half and did not return.

Phoenix dropped the opening game of the series 105-100 at home but rebounded with a 119-90 victory on Tuesday night. Game 4 is Saturday at Portland.