Suns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
Sources: Texans restructure Eric Murray, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Cameron Johnston’s contracts
The Texans, in need of some salary-cap space heading into the season, created a total of $2.832 million in total cap savings by restructuring veteran safety Eric Murry, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnson’s contracts, according to league sources.
Sources: Texans restructure Ka’imi Fairbairn, Cameron’s Johnston’s contracts in salary-cap maneuver
The Texans, in need of some salary-cap space heading into the season, created nearly $2.1 million in total cap savings by restructuring veteran kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnson’s contracts, according to league sources.
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George scores 39 points, Clippers hold off Suns 112-107
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)PHOENIX – Paul George scored 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 112-107 on Sunday night after nearly blowing a 31-point lead in a matchup of two of the Western Conference's top early season teams. At 5-2, the Clippers are tied with the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for the West lead. George was 7 of 10 from 3-point range and Los Angeles was 17 of 29 overall. Chris Paul, who played six seasons for the Clippers, had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Los Angeles opened the second quarter with 15 straight points to make it 50-24.
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Booker, Bridges lead new-look Suns past Mavericks 106-102
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Phoenix. At least for the first game, the Suns' revamped backcourt performed almost exactly as hoped. Booker scored 22 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and Phoenix edged the Dallas Mavericks 106-102 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams. “I like guys who are willing to take the shots,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. Luka Doncic cut the Suns' lead to three with a dunk but after a Booker miss, Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and Phoenix closed out the victory.
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Suns top Mavs to finish 8-0 in bubble, but fail to advance
Devin Booker scored 27 points and Phoenix beat the Dallas Mavericks 128-102 on Thursday to finish as the only team to win all eight games seeding games. Dario Saric scored 16 points and Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson each added 15 for the Suns. Booker scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting before the break. SUNS DNAThe Suns averaged 122 points in the eight games. Suns: Either season over or will be in a play-in game against Memphis on Saturday.
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Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Booker became the Suns' career leader with his 91st 30-point game, breaking a tie with Walter Davis. Phoenix pulled away late after leading only 105-102 following back-to-back baskets by Alec Burks, who led the 76ers with 23 points. The Suns continued their high-scoring play in the bubble after averaging 120 points in the first six games. The 76ers also were without Joel Embiid (left ankle), Tobias Harris (sore right ankle) and Al Horford (sore left knee). 76ers: Play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
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Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro each had 25 points to lead the Heat. The Suns continued to thrive as the only undefeated team and biggest surprise in the Disney bubble. Led by Booker, Phoenix had wins over Washington, Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana before beating Miami. Three free throws by Robinson cut the Suns' lead to 115-112 before Miami's Bam Adebayo was called for goaltending on a shot by Booker. Led by its backcourt scoring from Herro and Robinson, Miami quickly led by double figures at 19-8.
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Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115
“I’m happy for him, but he’d be the first one to tell you we’re not done," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said of Booker. “This is a fun team to be a part of and we’re having fun with it," Booker said. “This whole experience ... we just wanted to come down here and make some noise and that’s what we’re doing." Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points and George added 23. WILLIAMS RETURNSLou Williams had seven points, six assists and six rebounds in 21 minutes in his restart debut after missing the first two games.
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Booker, Rubio help Suns race past Giannis-less Bucks
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives as Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX, Ariz. – Devin Booker scored 20 of his 36 points in Phoenix's 47-point first quarter and the Suns beat the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks 140-131 on Sunday night,The Bucks played without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo because of a minor knee sprain. “It’s the highest form of respect for me,’’ Booker said of the box-and-one defense the Bucks attempted. He credited his teammates with foiling it, as six Suns players scored in double figures. “You could just tell right from the start of the game,’’ Booker said.
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Oubre scores career-high 39, Suns top Rockets 127-91
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kelly Oubre Jr. was one of many Phoenix Suns players who had their names floated in trade rumors over the past week. The good vibes continued several hours later when the Suns played one of their best games of the season in a 127-91 victory over the Houston Rockets. Oubre scored a career-high 39 points and Devin Booker added 33. He shot 14 of 19 from the field, including 7 of 9 from 3-point range. ... Houston shot just 34% from the field against the Suns, including 11 of 48 (23%) on 3-pointers.
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George, Leonard team to help Clippers overpower Suns 120-99
Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr., right, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers are one player short of finally fielding their entire team. George scored 24 points, Leonard added 20 and the Clippers returned home after two weeks away to beat the Phoenix Suns 120-99 on Tuesday night. They were only missing JaMychal Green after having George and Leonard in and out of the lineup since the season began. “We just couldn't figure out the Clippers' zone," Suns coach Monty Williams said.