MIAMI — Devin Booker scored 23 factors, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a gradual begin to beat the Miami Warmth 111-90 on Wednesday night time in a matchup of the NBA’s convention leaders.
Booker, coming back from a four-game absence for virus-related points, flirted with a triple-double, ending with 9 assists and eight rebounds. Phoenix improved the NBA’s finest document to 53-13, and the reigning Western Convention champion Suns have now overwhelmed all different 29 groups this season — the primary time they’ve completed that since 2006-07.
Deandre Ayton had 19 factors on 9-for-10 taking pictures and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who bought 11 factors and 15 rebounds from JaVale McGee, and 11 factors apiece from Jae Crowder and Cameron Payne.
Duncan Robinson scored 22 factors for Japanese Convention-leading Miami, which misplaced for simply the third time in its final 15 video games.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro every scored 17 for the Warmth, which performed with out Jimmy Butler (sinus congestion) and misplaced key reserve Caleb Martin halfway by the second quarter to a knee damage.
The Suns had been down by 11 early, took a two-point lead on the half after which outscored Miami 34-19 within the third quarter to blow issues open. Booker capped the quarter with a protracted 3-pointer, the Warmth went 1 for 8 within the quarter from past the arc and it was 91-74 going into the ultimate 12 minutes.
Miami got here out flying, scoring 25 factors within the first 6 minutes — a burst fueled by 5 3-pointers. The Warmth had been 9 for 12 from the ground in that stretch, 5 for six from 3-point vary and completed the burst by making seven consecutive pictures.
That’s when Phoenix’s defence confirmed up.
The Warmth made 7 of their subsequent 21 pictures, Phoenix settled down and turned it right into a runaway within the third. An 18-7 run by the Suns pushed the margin to 80-65 late within the third and the lead ultimately swelled to 27 within the fourth.
TIP-INS
Suns: Phoenix outrebounded Miami 55-38. … The Suns must go 10-6 of their last 16 video games to publish the very best regular-season document in franchise historical past. The Suns had been 62-20 in 1992-93 and 2004-05. … Crowder bought launched final amongst Phoenix’s starters, a tribute Miami usually provides former Warmth gamers to make sure they get a correct and heat welcome. The followers obliged. … Phoenix improved to 5-3 with out Chris Paul (fractured thumb).
Warmth: It was the twenty first recreation Butler has missed this season; Miami is 13-8 with out its highest-paid participant. … Victor Oladipo, in his second recreation again after 11 months away recovering from leg surgical procedure, had 4 factors in 16 minutes. Don’t count on modifications to Oladipo’s minutes allotment anytime quickly, Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra stated. “I’m going to offer that very same reply for some time,” he stated. … Miami fell to 4-14 when scoring 102 factors or much less. When the Warmth rating 103 or extra, they’re 40-9.
WEIRD SWING
Phoenix allowed 25 factors within the first six minutes, a season-worst for that span. The Suns then allowed two factors within the subsequent six minutes, a season-best for that span. And the tone was set for the remainder of the night.
WEIRD POSSESSION
The Suns missed eight pictures — on one possession. Crowder missed a 3-pointer with 9:39 left within the second quarter, Aaron Vacation then missed a layup and McGee missed two putbacks and a tip-in attempt earlier than the ball was batted out of bounds by Miami. Landry Shamet tried a nook 3, had it blocked, bought the rebound, then tried a layup and bought that blocked out of bounds. Lastly, Crowder was approach off on one other 3-point attempt, and Miami lastly secured possession.
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Toronto on Friday night time.
Warmth: Host Cleveland on Friday night time.
