New Suns ‘Big 3’ nail first win together, rout lowly Hornets

Devin Booker scored 35 points and four Phoenix scorers posted at least 21 points as the Suns earned back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month with their 133-119 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Friday (Saturday, December 30, Manila time).

Phoenix shot 46-of-74 from the floor, including 18-of-30 from 3-point range, on a balanced offensive night. Kevin Durant had 21 points and 11 assists and Jusuf Nurkic added 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Eric Gordon chipped in another 21 points off the bench for his second consecutive game scoring at least 21.

Friday also marked the return to the lineup of Bradley Beal, sidelined since sustaining an ankle sprain just minutes into a game on December 15. Beal finished with six points but added seven of Phoenix’s 34 assists.

Friday’s contest was just the third this season in which Phoenix had Beal, Booker and Durant in the lineup, and the Suns’ first win with the three together.

Grayson Allen scored 16 points to round out Phoenix’s double-figure scorers, while Chimezie Metu added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Phoenix’s 133 points matched its season high in regulation this season.

The Suns’ balance fueled an almost-wire-to-wire victory and a lead that grew to as many as 20 points in the third quarter.

Terry Rozier tried to rally the Hornets, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor in the second half as part of his 14-of-22 night. Rozier scored 42 points, one shy of matching his career high, and added a team-leading eight assists.

Brandon Miller added 20 points while Miles Bridges finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The Hornets suffered their 10th loss in a row and are 0-3 at the midway point of a six-game road trip. – Rappler.com