Devin Booker helps Suns demolish Pistons

Devin Booker scored 30 points in 30 minutes and the visiting Phoenix Suns rolled past the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday, January 16 (Monday, January 17, Manila time).

Booker made 11 of 18 field goal attempts and sat out the fourth quarter. Cameron Payne had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while fellow reserve JaVale McGee supplied 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Phoenix’s Landry Shamet added 11 points and Chris Paul had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Mikal Bridges also scored 10 points for the Suns, who own the league’s best record and have won six of their past seven games.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, the top pick in the 2021 draft, was ejected after being assessed two technicals during the third quarter. The second technical came after he pointed toward a Suns player after dunking, which the officials interpreted as taunting. Cunningham scored 21 points in 25 minutes.

Cory Joseph also had 21 points and added 7 assists, and Trey Lyles contributed 18 points and 6 rebounds.

Suns center Deandre Ayton departed in the first quarter after sustaining a right ankle sprain.

Booker erupted for 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting as the Suns grabbed a 64-54 halftime lead. Payne also was a major factor, contributing 12 points while making all but 1 of his 6 field goal attempts. Cunningham kept his team in striking distance with 13 points.

Booker scored 15 points during a wild opening quarter that ended with Phoenix up 39-35. The Suns had a 10-4 run in the last 3:13 of the second quarter, which included 2 Payne three-pointers.

Paul and McGee scored the first two baskets of the third quarter and Phoenix maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way. A 6-0 spurt by the Suns, which included 3 points apiece from Paul and McGee, made it 79-60.

Booker hit 2 free throws with five minutes left in the quarter to nudge the Suns’ lead to 87-67. Booker reached the 30-point mark with 3:28 left in the quarter. The Suns carried a 103-82 lead into the fourth and also scored the first 5 points of the final quarter. – Rappler.com