While waiting for the return to business of Deandre Ayton, but also of Jae Crowder, the Suns did the job without shaking last night against San Antonio (115-110). Chris Paul (20 points, 19 assists, 8 rebounds) and Devin Booker (28 points) have been faithful to the position, as has Mikal Bridges (26 points) who achieved his best mark of the season.
Trailing for most of the game, Phoenix managed to regain the upper hand in the last quarter, thanks to the contribution of Cam Johnson and two consecutive shots “clutches” from Devin Booker. Despite the heroic resistance of the Spurs, Phoenix therefore pocketed a 40th victory this season, the 10th in a row, which ensured Monty Williams and his staff to represent the Western Conference at the next All Star Game in Cleveland on February 20.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Suns accelerate in the 4th quarter. Led from start to finish, by 8 points after the first quarter and even 12 before the start of the last, the Suns never panicked against these eye-catching Spurs. In fact, Phoenix even erased his disbursement in just over 3 minutes! Cam Johnson played a central role with 9 quick points including a huge dunk in a 14-0 to turn things around. And it was Devin Booker who gave it a layer with two consecutive 3-pointers to pass in front 1 minute from the end of the match. “I just know he’s not afraid to take those shots”, smiled Monty Williams after the victory.
– Spurs far better than stooges. Without three of its usual holders, Derrick White (at rest), Dejounte Murray (left knee) and Jakob Poeltl (back), San Antonio will have given the best team in the West a hard time until the end. In front of the scoreboard at the start of each quarter, the Spurs will have been able to count on great performances from Doug McDermott (24 points) but also Lonnie Walker IV (22 points) or even Tre Jones (15 points, 9 assists). “No player has really been bad”, enjoyed Gregg Popovich. “They played together, they played physical and they had good rhythm. They played with confidence against a big team. Of course, I would have preferred fewer errors and victory in the end, but it’s hard to ask for more than they gave in this match. “
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Chris Paul. On his way to his 12th career All-Star Game, Chris Paul still had a great game last night. In fact, he placed a 4th straight game at 20 points or more, adding a whopping 19 assists (season record) but also 8 rebounds. In great shape at the end of January, CP3 is at 6 “double-double” on its last 7 outings…
✅ Devin Booker. Not particularly brilliant on shots at the start of the match, with a 3/10 in the first quarter in particular, Devin Booker set the record straight in the “money time”, with two 3-pointers in quick succession to come back in front. With 13 of his 28 points scored in the 2nd half, and this at 5/8 on shots including 3/4 from 3-pointers, he finished better than he had started.
✅ Doug McDermott. Without Dejounte Murray, and with an awkward Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, the Spurs were able to count on a gala Doug McDermott. A little more in difficulty in January, Dougie McBuckets was yesterday in a very good rhythm, finishing with 24 points at 9/15 on shots including 6/9 at 3-pointers.
⛔ Devin Vasell. Gregg Popovich said after the game that none of his players had played badly, but that’s quickly forgetting Devin Vassell’s nightmare evening, at 7 points and 7 rebounds, but 2/12 on shots. The young Spurs winger went through it, it happens. And Pop protects him, normal! Especially since it had a very good month of January.
THE FOLLOWING
phoenix (40-9): Brooklyn reception Tuesday night.
San Antonio (19-32): reception of Golden State this Monday evening.
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