The Phoenix Suns remain the team of the hour and have also won the top game at the Brooklyn Nets with ease. Against the top favorites from the east, the backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker stood out again, the Suns won 113: 107, which caused displeasure among the Nets fans.
Brooklyn Nets (14-6) – Phoenix Suns (17-3) 107:113 (BOXSCORE)
Second evening of a back-to-back, plus an away game for the leaders of the Eastern Conference. There was much to suggest that the Phoenix Suns’ 15-game winning streak in Brooklyn would end, but last year’s finalist taught everyone better. Devin Booker (30 points, 9/18 FG) and Chris Paul (22, 9/19 FG) took the Nets apart over 42 minutes using every trick in the book, transforming jump shot after jump shot.
In addition, Mikal Bridges (13, 7 steals) made an outstanding game, JaVale McGee (10, 10 rebounds) dominated in his minutes in the zone. Brooklyn, on the other hand, seemed strangely lethargic, 20 ball losses represented a new negative record for the season. A throw rate of almost 50 percent was not enough, also because the Nets only took 23 threes (7 hits). Kevin Durant recorded 39 points (13/28 FG), 9 rebounds and 7 assists in just under 45 (!) Minutes, James Harden (12, 4/15 FG, 14 assists, 7 TO) had an evening to forget for a long time. LaMarcus Aldridge (18, 8/12 FG) scored well, but was again and again the victim of the Suns Guards in defense.
Phoenix Suns surprise colorless nets
Phoenix started with the confidence of a team that hasn’t lost in a month. The Suns quickly led by 21: 8, all field goals were jumpers, with Booker having the hot hand. Brooklyn, on the other hand, seemed unfocused; both Durant and Harden were too casual in their actions. The Suns cooled down a bit, but the hosts continued to search for their rhythm and after twelve minutes were behind with 20:34.
The Sun reservists were also causing trouble for Brooklyn. McGee dominated the board, Cameron Payne brought more speed. Meanwhile, Bridges was everywhere and was annoying Harden with his defense. The Suns forward had already collected 5 steals in the middle of the second quarter. Thanks to Aldridge, however, the Nets established something like offense, the Suns’ jumpers no longer fell. The guests remained without points for over six minutes, Brooklyn used this to a 15-0 run before CP3 put an end to it. Despite the drought, the Suns were still double-digit ahead at break (56:46).
After the move, Harden continued to collect assists, but his own scoring was nonexistent. Even after switches against Ayton, the guard could not create any space. Booker was awake on the other side. He and Paul kept looking for Aldridge in switch situations and punished this mercilessly.
Nets comeback comes too late
Phoenix extended the lead to over 20 points, and at the beginning of the final section after Harden’s 7th loss of the ball, there were even boos in the Barclays Center. After all: The Nets did not give up, especially Durant put another exclamation mark with seven points in a row. Five minutes before the end, the hosts were suddenly back to 10 points and the mood in the hall tipped in the other direction again.
And Brooklyn was getting closer. The Suns didn’t succeed anymore, especially James Johnson as center did his thing against the Guards terrific. Patty Mills had the chance to cut it to -4, instead Jae Crowder saved another screwed-up Suns possession with a putback to make it 110: 101 with one minute left on the clock. It was the Dagger, and the Suns subsequently played it down with ease.
With the 16th success in a row, everything is set up for the big showdown on Wednesday night. Then at 4 a.m. German time, the Suns receive the Golden State Warriors, who currently have one less defeat in their books. Almost three hours earlier, the Nets are also in action, they have their Manhattan neighbors, the New York Knicks, as guests.
.
