Booker, Paul lead Suns to 117-113 OT win over Jazz
PHOENIX (AP) Deandre Ayton kept bouncing up and down in the lane, tipping rebounds off missed shots to his Phoenix teammates on the perimeter. Devin Booker wasn't having a great night shooting, but kept chucking the ball toward the rim anyway.
Then there's Chris Paul, the Suns' veteran point guard who is a constant whirlwind of discussion and dribbling that never stops.
''Teams struggle with our energy,'' Ayton said.
On a night that the Suns were far from perfect, that energy carried them to yet another win. Booker scored 35 points, Paul added 29 and Phoenix beat the Utah Jazz 117-113 in overtime Wednesday night in an entertaining matchup between the top two teams in the NBA.
The Suns scored the first five points in overtime and never trailed again. Booker had a couple of clutch mid-range jumpers to keep the Jazz behind and Paul made a 3-pointer with a minute left that pushed Phoenix ahead 114-108.
Utah pulled to 114-112 on Mike Conley's layup with 21 seconds left, but could never tie it. Paul hit two free throws with 7.8 seconds left to finally seal it and wrap up the season series with a game left. Phoenix has won seven in a row.
''It was real intense,'' Booker said. ''I thought both teams played hard, defended really well.''
The Suns pushed ahead 100-96 in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Jae Crowder with two minutes left. Donovan Mitchell made a contested 3-pointer with 10.4 seconds left for Utah to tie it at 102.
Booker's 3 at the buzzer was off the mark. If the Suns were deflated, they didn't show it.
''That's just part of the game,'' Suns forward Cameron Johnson said. ''We've seen crazier things. We had to get ready in overtime and get back after them.''
Said Paul: ''I think we did a good job of weathering the storm.''
Mitchell led Utah with 41 points. Bojan Bogdanovic added 20 points, and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 18 rebounds.
''We know what we can be,'' Mitchell said. ''We know we have work to do as well.''
The Jazz bounced back from an 11-point halftime deficit to take a 78-77 lead going into the fourth quarter after Mike Conley rattled home a jumper at the buzzer. It was a bruising game and the Suns had a 61-45 rebounding advantage that helped them win despite a mediocre shooting night.
Ayton added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson had 11 points and made 3 of 5 3-pointers off the bench.
''With games like this, we really get a chance to show our depth,'' Paul said.
Utah scored just one basket in the first five minutes, giving Phoenix time to build a 13-2 lead. The Jazz recovered quickly, jumping ahead 21-20 at the end of the first quarter.
But the Suns had another push in the second, building a 51-40 halftime advantage.
SURPRISING TOP TWO
It was a matchup between two unexpected Western Conference heavyweights that have played even better than expected so far this season. The Jazz lead NBA at 38-13, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Suns (36-14).
Both teams have taken advantage of relatively good health while rivals - like the L.A. Lakers and LeBron James - have dealt with injuries to key players.
The Suns are trying to stop a playoff drought that's lasted more than a decade. Phoenix has beaten Utah twice this season, which clinches the three-game season series in case of a tie in the standings.
PACK 'EM IN
The Suns raised the crowd capacity to 5,500 fans for the first time this season. That's about 30% of the 18,000-plus seats at newly-renovated Phoenix Suns Arena.
''It sounded like a full house,'' Ayton said.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Utah had won nine straight games before having its streak snapped on Monday in a loss to Dallas.
Suns: F Abdel Nader (right knee soreness) was unavailable and has missed the past eight games. Recently-acquired Torrey Craig has taken most of the playing time with Nader unavailable.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host Portland on Thursday night.
Suns: At Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Rudy Gobert vs. Deandre Ayton (Chris Paul gains possession) | |||
11:43 | Devin Booker misses three point jump shot | |||
11:39 | Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
11:32 | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point alley-oop dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists) | 2-0 | |
11:08 | Mikal Bridges misses two point layup | |||
11:08 | Jazz defensive rebound | |||
10:47 | Donovan Mitchell misses two point step back jump shot | |||
10:43 | Deandre Ayton defensive rebound | |||
10:37 | +2 | Deandre Ayton makes two point jump shot (Chris Paul assists) | 2-2 | |
10:26 | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | |||
10:25 | Jae Crowder defensive rebound | |||
10:19 | Devin Booker misses three point jump shot | |||
10:15 | Royce O'Neale defensive rebound | |||
10:07 | Donovan Mitchell misses two point floating jump shot | |||
10:05 | Deandre Ayton defensive rebound | |||
9:59 | +2 | Chris Paul makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 2-4 | |
9:47 | Rudy Gobert turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
9:24 | +3 | Chris Paul makes three point jump shot (Devin Booker assists) | 2-7 | |
9:08 | Bojan Bogdanovic offensive foul (Charge) (Jae Crowder draws the foul) | |||
9:08 | Bojan Bogdanovic turnover (offensive foul) | |||
8:49 | Devin Booker turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
8:40 | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | |||
8:38 | Chris Paul defensive rebound | |||
8:27 | +2 | Chris Paul makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 2-9 | |
8:06 | Bojan Bogdanovic misses three point jump shot | |||
8:04 | Devin Booker defensive rebound | |||
7:59 | Mike Conley shooting foul (Devin Booker draws the foul) | |||
7:59 | +1 | Devin Booker makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 2-10 | |
7:59 | +1 | Devin Booker makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 2-11 | |
7:48 | Mike Conley misses two point floating jump shot | |||
7:46 | Devin Booker defensive rebound | |||
7:39 | +2 | Devin Booker makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 2-13 | |
7:21 | Royce O'Neale misses three point jump shot | |||
7:19 | Devin Booker defensive rebound | |||
7:12 | Devin Booker turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
7:12 | Jazz 60 second timeout | |||
6:54 | +2 | Bojan Bogdanovic makes two point turnaround jump shot | 4-13 | |
6:34 | Deandre Ayton misses two point turnaround hook shot | |||
6:30 | Derrick Favors defensive rebound | |||
6:19 | Donovan Mitchell misses three point jump shot | |||
6:17 | Jae Crowder defensive rebound | |||
6:07 | Chris Paul misses two point fadeaway jump shot | |||
6:03 | Derrick Favors defensive rebound | |||
6:00 | +2 | Donovan Mitchell makes two point layup | 6-13 | |
5:46 | Chris Paul misses two point fadeaway jump shot | |||
5:44 | Derrick Favors defensive rebound | |||
5:30 | +2 | Bojan Bogdanovic makes two point driving layup | 8-13 | |
5:15 | Devin Booker misses two point fadeaway jump shot | |||
5:12 | Royce O'Neale defensive rebound | |||
5:01 | Derrick Favors misses two point jump shot | |||
5:00 | Jae Crowder defensive rebound | |||
4:52 | +2 | Deandre Ayton makes two point alley-oop layup (Chris Paul assists) | 8-15 | |
4:39 | Deandre Ayton blocks Donovan Mitchell's two point floating jump shot | |||
4:37 | Jazz offensive rebound | |||
4:30 | Derrick Favors turnover (bad pass) (Mikal Bridges steals) | |||
4:24 | Deandre Ayton misses three point jump shot | |||
4:22 | Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
4:17 | Royce O'Neale misses three point jump shot | |||
4:14 | Jae Crowder defensive rebound | |||
4:09 | Royce O'Neale blocks Cameron Payne's two point layup | |||
4:09 | Joe Ingles defensive rebound | |||
4:04 | +3 | Bojan Bogdanovic makes three point jump shot (Joe Ingles assists) | 11-15 | |
3:46 | Devin Booker turnover (bad pass) (Derrick Favors steals) | |||
3:42 | Derrick Favors turnover (bad pass) (Cameron Payne steals) | |||
3:39 | +2 | Cameron Payne makes two point jump shot | 11-17 | |
3:33 | Mikal Bridges personal foul (Donovan Mitchell draws the foul) | |||
3:26 | +3 | Donovan Mitchell makes three point jump shot | 14-17 | |
3:11 | Devin Booker misses two point jump shot | |||
3:10 | Dario Saric offensive rebound | |||
3:08 | +2 | Dario Saric makes two point putback layup | 14-19 | |
2:52 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
2:50 | Dario Saric defensive rebound | |||
2:40 | Royce O'Neale shooting foul (Dario Saric draws the foul) | |||
2:40 | Suns 60 second timeout | |||
2:40 | Dario Saric misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
2:40 | Suns offensive rebound | |||
2:40 | +1 | Dario Saric makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 14-20 | |
2:24 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
2:19 | Cameron Payne defensive rebound | |||
2:13 | Cameron Payne misses two point jump shot | |||
2:11 | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | |||
2:04 | +2 | Joe Ingles makes two point driving layup | 16-20 | |
2:04 | Dario Saric shooting foul (Joe Ingles draws the foul) | |||
2:04 | Joe Ingles misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
2:04 | Jazz offensive rebound | |||
1:53 | Joe Ingles misses three point step back jump shot | |||
1:46 | Devin Booker defensive rebound | |||
1:45 | Jump ball. Devin Booker vs. Georges Niang (Dario Saric gains possession) | |||
1:26 | Cameron Payne misses two point jump shot | |||
1:20 | Georges Niang defensive rebound | |||
1:12 | +3 | Jordan Clarkson makes three point jump shot | 19-20 | |
0:50 | Devin Booker misses two point jump shot | |||
0:47 | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | |||
0:38 | Georges Niang misses three point jump shot | |||
0:35 | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | |||
0:35 | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point putback layup | 21-20 | |
0:26 | Devin Booker offensive foul (Off the ball) (Mike Conley draws the foul) | |||
0:26 | Devin Booker turnover (offensive foul) | |||
0:08 | Jordan Clarkson offensive foul (Off the ball) (Cameron Payne draws the foul) | |||
0:08 | Jordan Clarkson turnover (offensive foul) | |||
0:02 | Devin Booker turnover (bad pass) (Rudy Gobert steals) | |||
0:00 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:45 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
11:43 | Dario Saric defensive rebound | |||
11:23 | Dario Saric misses two point reverse layup | |||
11:21 | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | |||
11:15 | +2 | Mike Conley makes two point floating jump shot | 23-20 | |
11:00 | Cameron Johnson misses two point floating jump shot | |||
10:58 | Dario Saric offensive rebound | |||
10:57 | Jevon Carter misses three point step back jump shot | |||
10:52 | Georges Niang defensive rebound | |||
10:37 | Jordan Clarkson turnover (lost ball) (Cameron Johnson steals) | |||
10:34 | Georges Niang shooting foul (Torrey Craig draws the foul) | |||
10:34 | Torrey Craig misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
10:34 | Suns offensive rebound | |||
10:34 | +1 | Torrey Craig makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 23-21 | |
10:09 | Mike Conley misses two point floating jump shot | |||
10:05 | Cameron Johnson defensive rebound | |||
9:55 | +2 | Chris Paul makes two point jump shot | 23-23 | |
9:39 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
9:37 | Georges Niang offensive rebound | |||
9:36 | Torrey Craig blocks Georges Niang's two point putback layup | |||
9:36 | Jevon Carter defensive rebound | |||
9:28 | +3 | Cameron Johnson makes three point jump shot (Torrey Craig assists) | 23-26 | |
9:07 | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point jump shot | 25-26 | |
8:53 | Chris Paul misses three point jump shot | |||
8:51 | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | |||
8:42 | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | |||
8:39 | Torrey Craig defensive rebound | |||
8:35 | Georges Niang shooting foul (Cameron Johnson draws the foul) | |||
8:35 | +1 | Cameron Johnson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 25-27 | |
8:35 | +1 | Cameron Johnson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 25-28 | |
8:22 | Georges Niang misses three point jump shot | |||
8:20 | Cameron Johnson defensive rebound | |||
8:20 | Mike Conley personal foul (Cameron Johnson draws the foul) | |||
8:11 | +2 | Chris Paul makes two point jump shot | 25-30 | |
7:54 | Donovan Mitchell misses three point jump shot | |||
7:52 | Cameron Johnson defensive rebound | |||
7:46 | +2 | Chris Paul makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 25-32 | |
7:32 | Jordan Clarkson misses three point jump shot | |||
7:29 | Dario Saric defensive rebound | |||
7:23 | Chris Paul turnover (lost ball) (Jordan Clarkson steals) | |||
7:20 | Cameron Johnson blocks Jordan Clarkson's two point layup | |||
7:19 | Jazz offensive rebound | |||
7:01 | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving jump shot | |||
6:59 | Mikal Bridges defensive rebound | |||
6:51 | Jevon Carter misses three point jump shot | |||
6:47 | Derrick Favors defensive rebound | |||
6:43 | Cameron Johnson personal foul (Donovan Mitchell draws the foul) | |||
6:43 | Suns 60 second timeout | |||
6:32 | +2 | Donovan Mitchell makes two point jump shot (Derrick Favors assists) | 27-32 | |
6:09 | +2 | Devin Booker makes two point driving layup (Dario Saric assists) | 27-34 | |
5:56 | Donovan Mitchell misses two point driving layup | |||
5:56 | Dario Saric defensive rebound | |||
5:51 | +2 | Devin Booker makes two point layup | 27-36 | |
5:32 | +2 | Bojan Bogdanovic makes two point driving jump shot | 29-36 | |
5:10 | Chris Paul misses three point step back jump shot | |||
5:07 | Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
4:58 | Jordan Clarkson misses two point floating jump shot | |||
4:52 | Derrick Favors offensive rebound | |||
4:52 | +2 | Derrick Favors makes two point putback layup | 31-36 | |
4:43 | Derrick Favors shooting foul (Devin Booker draws the foul) | |||
4:43 | +1 | Devin Booker makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 31-37 | |
4:43 | +1 | Devin Booker makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 31-38 | |
4:29 | Bojan Bogdanovic misses two point floating jump shot | |||
4:25 | Mikal Bridges defensive rebound | |||
4:17 | Derrick Favors blocks Deandre Ayton's two point hook shot | |||
4:14 | Derrick Favors defensive rebound | |||
3:58 | Cameron Payne shooting foul (Bojan Bogdanovic draws the foul) | |||
3:58 | +1 | Bojan Bogdanovic makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 32-38 | |
3:58 | Bojan Bogdanovic misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
3:55 | Jae Crowder defensive rebound | |||
3:48 | Devin Booker turnover (traveling) | |||
3:36 | Bojan Bogdanovic misses three point jump shot | |||
3:33 | Mikal Bridges defensive rebound | |||
3:25 | Jae Crowder misses three point jump shot | |||
3:24 | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | |||
3:08 | Donovan Mitchell misses two point floating jump shot | |||
3:03 | Cameron Payne defensive rebound | |||
2:58 | +3 | Cameron Payne makes three point jump shot | 32-41 | |
2:47 | Mike Conley turnover (bad pass) (Deandre Ayton steals) | |||
2:40 |