LOPEZ A GOOD FIT FOR SUNS

With a veteran team, the Suns don't have to rush 7-foot center Robin Lopez, allowing the No. 15 overall pick in the draft to adjust to the NBA game.

But that doesn't mean there still aren't expectations, and Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr said Lopez should be able to fit right in with three-time All-Star forward/center Amare Stoudemire.

"That's one of the reasons we drafted him," Kerr said. "Robin plays very well without the ball. He got used to playing without it at Stanford because (twin brother) Brook had the ball down on the blocks. Robin got to work the weak side, got a lot of offensive rebounds and putbacks and kept balls alive, that kind of thing. We feel like he can fit in very well. We've got plenty of guys who can score, but he can help get the ball back and help us defensively quite a bit with his shot blocking and his energy."

Lopez averaged 16 points and 7.7 rebounds in three Summer League games before today. He had six points and five rebounds at halftime against the Trail Blazers.

"He's got a long way to go, but we're happy with his progress so far," Kerr said.

Phoenix led the Blazers 40-30 at halftime, thanks mostly to Alando Tucker's 13 points. Portland's Jerryd Bayless, the Summer League's leading scorer at 27.7 points per game, had nine first-half points.