On a series of five consecutive victories, the Suns were nevertheless in danger among Grizzlies, since they had to deal with the absence of Kevin Durant, bothered by his foot. This forced Devin Booker to do more in scoring (40 points, 5 rebounds, 4 interceptions), in order to allow his team to achieve a sixth consecutive success (110-89).
Supported mainly by Eric Gordon (20 points) and author of his best outing of the season, “Book” is notably at the origin of the 14-0 which allowed Phoenix to break away just before halftime. Memphis not succeeding, despite Derrick Rose (17 points), to make up for the deficit by around ten points to get back on track after two defeats in a row…
A major success, which helps the Suns get closer to one of the two “best second” places and therefore qualification for the quarter-finals of theIn-season tournament.
TO REMEMBER
– The 14-0 that changes everything. End of second quarter, 49-48 Memphis. When suddenly, Phoenix inflicted a 14-0 which gave them a very comfortable lead and on which Frank Vogel’s men would capitalize throughout the second half. Devin Booker, Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen and Keita Bates-Diop: these were the players who punished the Grizzlies’ failures, upside down for four minutes and who can blame themselves, because they were generally equal – if not more– with the Suns the rest of the time.
– Devin Booker brings Phoenix closer to qualification. The Lakers are untouchable at the top of Group A, but the Suns performed well by winning for the third time in four games in this In-season tournament. And this, with a nice scoring differential. Enough to put pressure on the teams in groups B and C in the West, while the Lakers must regret seeing Devin Booker’s very fit teammates on the verge of finding them in the quarter-finals of this NBA Cup. Because the best team in the West will quite simply face the “best second” in the West, in a week…
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.
