NBA: Suns hand Hornets tenth straight loss

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Bryce McGowens (7) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation, Friday, Dec. 29 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photograph/Rick Scuteri)

PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 35 factors and the Phoenix Suns, with Bradley Beal again on the court docket, beat Charlotte 133-119 on Friday night time handy the Hornets their tenth consecutive loss within the NBA.

Kevin Durant, coming off a triple-double at Houston on Wednesday night time, had 21 factors and 11 assists, and Booker had seven assists. Booker was 10 of 18 from the sector, going 5 of seven from 3-point vary. Phoenix shot 60% (18 of 30) from behind the arc.

“It’s a game-changer, being at full power,” Booker mentioned. “The offense was transferring, the ball was hopping round and we had been getting the most effective out there shot.”

Beal, who missed the earlier 5 video games due to a sprained proper ankle, contributed 4 assists within the first quarter, when the Suns went forward for good. He completed with seven assists, six factors and three rebounds in half-hour.

“It’s simply good to be again on the ground,” Beal mentioned. “We acquired the win and end the sport, that’s all I cared about tonight.”

Jusuf Nurkic had 24 factors and 16 rebounds for the Suns and Eric Gordon scored 21 factors — all on 7-of-12 3-point capturing. Grayson scored 16 factors.

“That’s what we wish, that’s the great thing about it,” Beal mentioned concerning the well-rounded scoring. There’s loads of threats on the market, guys who’re very versatile. We will shoot the ball very well.”

Devin Booker tonight 🔥

35 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 5 3PM, W pic.twitter.com/StHLB9ZKYE

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2023

The Suns gained back-to-back video games for the primary time since a seven-game profitable streak ended Nov. 29. Since then, Phoenix had been 3-9.

“I liked his ground recreation tonight,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned about Beal. “Quite a lot of occasions (in coming back from damage) guys will generally tend to power, however he let the sport come to him. We have now a staff that’s selfless. We have now an opportunity to be particular.”

The Hornets, once more taking part in with out LaMelo Ball (proper ankle sprain) and Gordon Hayward (left calf pressure), had been led by Terry Rozier with 42 factors on 14-of-21 capturing, together with 8 of 11 from 3-point vary, and a team-high eight rebounds. Rozier was one in need of his profession excessive. Rookie Brandon Miller scored 20 factors. Charlotte final gained Dec. 8 at dwelling in opposition to Toronto.

Cody Martin and P.J. Washington every had 13 factors for the Hornets, who had been coming off a blowout loss on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Miles Bridges had 11 factors and 7 rebounds.

“With that effort, that strategy, actually not a very good second half (Thursday)) night time, getting in right here late, guys taking part in huge minutes final night time. I used to be happy with them,” Charlotte coach Steve Clifford mentioned. “We simply couldn’t cease them.”

In Phoenix’s thirty first recreation of the season, it was simply the second time that the Suns’ “Large 3” of Booker, Durant and Beal performed a full recreation. They performed collectively in a Dec. 13 dwelling loss to Brooklyn. Beal was injured within the Suns’ subsequent recreation in opposition to New York.

Josh Okogie (sprained proper ankle) was the one member of Phoenix’s common rotation to take a seat out Friday.

The groups mixed for 41 3-pointers and had been 31 of 32 from the free-throw line.

Rozier’s profession excessive is 43 in opposition to New Orleans in 2021.

NEXT SCHEDULE

Charlotte: At Denver on Monday night time.

Phoenix: Hosts Orlando on Sunday.