THE Suns have found their cruising speed for some time, and even the absence of Kevin Durantcoupled with the longer-standing one of Bradley Bealdid not endanger the series of victories of Phoenix has new York. On the floor of Madison Square Garden, the teammates of a super Devin Booker (28 points and 11 assists) have indeed, in two stages, secured a 7th success in a row.
“In two stages”, because the Suns first led by 15 points in the first half, before gradually being caught up in the score by the eye-catching Knicks after returning from the locker room. Finally, the outcome was in favor of the Arizona troops in the final second of the match, when “Book” air-conditioned the “MSG” with a huge 3-point shot on the muzzle of RJ Barrett And Julius Randlewho came to form a two-person hold, in front of a stunned New York bench.
Author of an XXL performance (35 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 interceptions), Jalen Brunson had equalized with a cool mid-range shot, just before this stab from the Suns superstar, which spoiled the party. After a final timeout, the Knicks leader almost equalized a second time, but his shot, well taken, narrowly missed the front of the circle before the buzzer sounded.
To remember
– The Knicks swallowed up in rebounding. Usually so dominant on the rebound, thanks in particular to the gluttonous Mitchell Robinson and his understudy Isaiah Hartenstein, but also to Josh Hart on the outside, the Knicks were dominated in this sector by the Suns (59 against 52). Particularly on the offensive rebound (18 against 13), and this offered several points on second chances to the Phoenix players, like the pivots Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks who each grabbed 4 offensive ends in the Knicks paint.
– Eric Gordon, the firefighter on duty. Without Kevin Durant or Bradley Beal, another Suns player had to put on the Robin costume in Gotham to give a helping hand to the Suns Batman, Devin Booker. Very quickly, it appeared that this role was assumed by Eric Gordon, holder, who was indeed successful in attack: 25 points at 6/9 behind the arc, and in particular 3 winning shots in the first quarter alone. At 34 years old, the former Clippers, Pelicans and Rockets still has very good remains when it comes to his offensive arsenal.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
