Phoenix Dec. 20 (BUS): In Phoenix’s last game that beat Washington on Thursday night, eight players scored double goals. Devin Booker was back at work Sunday night – and they had nine.
Booker scored 16 points on his comeback from a hamstring injury and the NBA leader Suns hit a season high with a 137-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Sunday night, The Associated Press reported.
After missing seven games with a hamstring injury, Booker played 26 minutes and sat in the fourth quarter. The Suns were never late, led by 36 and improved to 24-5, half a game ahead of Golden State.
“I learned a few things from the sideline I tried today,” said Booker, who was 4 of 8 out of a 3-point range. “The machine keeps moving even in games where we’ve had people. Someone steps up and jumps right into that turn.”
The Suns made 20 from 41 3-point shots, also the highest season for this category, and fired 56.8% overall.
They dominated the paint behind Deandre Ayton, who scored 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Javale McGee, who led Phoenix with 19 points in 16 minutes off the bench. McGee made 9 out of 10 shots.
“Best Backup Center I’ve ever had,” said Eaton. “I feel very comfortable getting out of the game knowing this guy is on both ends of the earth. Same thing I do. It’s like I haven’t left.”
Michael Bridges scored 16 points, Andre Schmidt 15, Jay Crowder and Chris Paul 14 each, Cam Johnson scored 12 and Cameron Payne 11 with the Suns, who were 14-0 at home after losing the first two points. Elias Sports The Suns’ office had nine players score in double digits for the first time since April 21, 1991, against Portland.
“We have a ‘we score’ mentality,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “We score, we defend and I think when you play like that, it creates a lot of chances to hit the ball from distance or attack the paint.”
Miles Bridges scored 26 points for Charlotte, former Son Kelly Uber Jr. had 16, and Lamelo Ball scored nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but he was 2 of 12 from the field and 1 of 6 from behind the arc.
It started early when Phoenix had a 37-15 lead towards the end of the first quarter.
“We just wanted to focus and make them pay,” Booker said. “If they make any mistakes defensively, make sure we find the right person and shoot with confidence.”
As for Booker, Williams said, “He didn’t seem fanatical at all. He was sliding up and down the floor.”
Charlotte made only six shots in the quarter, and he shot 21%. The Hornets only converted one of their 11 3-point attempts. The ball was goalless in six shots per quarter.
“We were getting good shots in the first quarter, but we were missing out,” said Miles Bridges. “We were letting our attack dictate our defence. We still have to come out ready to go.”
Virus fears
Hornets striker Cody Martin was put into the NBA’s health and safety protocol on Sunday, but no other players were affected. Three league matches were postponed on Sunday.
“Everyone is trying to do their best,” Williams said. “We want to train and play but we all deal with it. It affects everyone. Every time you press an update, there is a new person in the protocol. It is unfortunate but we have dealt with it as well.”
The game is played with two game officials. Zack Zerba and Eric Dalin, originally scheduled, have been suspended from the game. He was joined by Brent Barnacki, the other scheduled referee, NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who lives in the Phoenix area.
training teams
Williams and Hornets coach James Borrego worked together as assistants with San Antonio, and Borrego was on Williams’ staff in New Orleans.
“I learned a lot from Monty,” Borrego said. “He is a great leader, a great guy. I am happy with him where his program is.”
As for Williams, he believes Borrego doesn’t get enough credit for Charlotte’s playing better this season.
“You don’t hear him talk about it as much as it should be.” Williams said.
next one
Hornets: In Utah on Monday night.
Suns: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.