Phoenix, Nov. 27 (BNA): There has been a lot of debate during the NBA offseason as to whether Deandre Ayton is worth a maximum contract.
On nights like Saturday, the answer is yes.
Ayton hit season highs with 29 points and 21 rebounds, Devin Booker added 27 and the Phoenix Suns held on to a narrow 113-112 win over the Utah Jazz, the Associated Press reports.
The Jazz led 81-78 after three quarters, but the Suns led 99-93 halfway through the fourth. The game remained tough through the final minutes, but Phoenix never lost the lead. On top of Ayton scoring and recovering, he also had a crucial steal in the closing minutes that helped thwart one last Jazz rally.
“I don’t know what to eat for Thanksgiving,” Booker said. “I should have been there.”
Ayton hauled his 21st recovery of the game on their final possession, resulting in Booker’s 3-pointer miss to keep the Jazz from their final possession. Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million deal during the offseason after the Suns matched an offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers.
“That guy would come into the gym at crazy hours, load up with (the coaches), so he could prepare for moments like this,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “It’s good to see the work pay off. It’s good to see him put up huge games against really good teams in back-to-back matches. That’s impressive.”
Ayton was the first player to have at least 28 points and 20 rebounds in a game for the Suns since Amari Stoudemire in 2007. He shot 11-of-19 from the field and added three assists and two blocks.
“I want to do more, I feel like I can do more,” Ayton said. “I just try to do what I can to contribute to my team.”
Oddly enough, the Jazz didn’t offend the Suns on their final possession, essentially letting them run out the clock. Utah coach Will Hardy said the last play did not unfold as the team expected and there were some misunderstandings.
“We wanted to get the ball out of Booker’s hands, and then the offense,” Hardy said.
Ayton scored a season-high for the second night in a row. He put in 28 points against the Pistons in a 108-102 win on Friday. Booker had a tough night shooting, hitting 8 of just 27 shots.
Utah was one of the NBA’s surprise teams in the first few weeks of the season, starting with a 10-3 record. Jazz only 3-7 since that point.
“One game and an extended period of the season doesn’t define your season,” said Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk. “You have to go through ups and downs. You learn adversity from it and come out better on the other side.”
The Suns are 11-1 at home this season and have won four straight games.
Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points for the Jazz. Colin Sexton added 20 points, while Lauri Markkanen had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz led 54-51 at halftime. Clarkson led the Jazz with 12 points, while Ayton had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Tip-ins
Jazz: G Leandro Bolmaro (concussion), G Mike Conley (left knee), F Rudy Gay (left hand) were not available. … three players scored in double digits off the bench. Malik Beasley scored 14 points, Nickel Alexander Walker scored 12, and Tallinn Horton Tucker added 10 points.
Suns: J. Landry Chamett is back after missing the previous seven games with a concussion. … Booker shot only 3 of 13 from the field in the first half. … hosted sell-out crowds for the thirty-eighth consecutive game. … Jock Landal only played five minutes in the game and it all came in the fourth quarter. Score four crucial points.
next one
Jazz: Host the Bulls on Monday.
Suns: In Sacramento on Monday.