Jeff Hornacek has admitted that losing in the NBA is always tough after the Phoenix Suns were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Damian Lillard added a two-point basket with six seconds left to play, inflicting the third defeat of the season on the Suns.

The head coach told reporters: "When you're on the losing end it's always tough. I thought Eric [Bledsoe] got fouled, too much riding in the end, they went for a shot but then we had some tip opportunities that were right there, point blank.

"We were talking about how it was just like the Minnesota game the other night, Kevin Love had a tip in from point blank range and didn't finish it. That's the way it goes, you're going to win some of those close games and lose some.

"This is a very good team. They've been playing extremely well and for us to have a couple missed tips at the buzzer to win it, our guys are battling, and that's what we hope for at the start of the season, getting those chances."

The Suns host the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow.