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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 takeaways from their game against the Suns

ByDoug Patrick|
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 16: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 16, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 16: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 16, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Blazers
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 16: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 16, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns their fourth preseason game, 116-83.

The Portland Trail Blazers came into the Moda Center and took care of the Phoenix Suns just like they did last week on the road. After outscoring them by 21 in the first quarter, there was no looking back. Portland was in control from wire-to-wire.

Here are 5 takeaways from the Blazers’ dominant performance:

The first quarter belonged to Jake Layman

Throughout the preseason, Layman has displayed his confidence and aggressiveness. However, this didn’t always translate to the most impressive results. In the first three games, he averaged 7.3 points on 40 percent shooting.

Tonight was different. In the first quarter, he scored 18 points – as many as the entire Suns team scored.

He shot six-for-eight from the field and three-for-four from deep. He was everywhere on the floor, from hitting catch-and-shoots, to isolating his man in the high-post and shooting over him, to throwing down a dunk in transition.

Layman has started every preseason game of the season. Clearly, he’s using this opportunity to push for a prominent spot in the Blazers’ rotation. If he remains fearless on the floor and rolls this consistency into the regular season, he will be a major part of the Blazers forward rotation, both for his ability to space the floor and occasionally create for himself.

He ended the night with 28 points, four assists, and three rebounds.