PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker used one of the best scoring efforts of his career to score a season-high 58 points, almost single-handedly pushing the Phoenix Suns past the New Orleans Pelicans 118-114 on Saturday night.
It’s the second time this season that Buc has topped 50 points — he scored 51 in just three quarters against the Bulls on Nov. 30.
The effort was even more impressive as it brought the Suns back from a 24-point deficit in the second half. The three-time All-Star made 21 of 35 shots, including 6 of 12 3-pointers. He added five rebounds and five assists.
The Pelicans led 83–59 midway through the third quarter, but the Suns used a 25–6 run to expand that advantage to 89–84 in the fourth. Booker scored 20 points in the third, helping his team back into contention.
Phoenix tied it at 99l with 7:04 left on Josh Okogie’s free throw. Booker scored 25 consecutive points for the Suns before Okogie’s two free throws equalized everything he tossed towards the rim as the home crowd roared.
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The Suns were clinging to a 111–109 lead when Chris Paul made a crucial 3-pointer with 1:04 remaining. Paul finished with 18 points and eight assists.
The Suns won their second straight game while the Pelicans lost three games in a row.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 30 points and CJ McCollum added 27.
The Pelicans shot 67% from the field to lead 34–27 after one quarter. McCollum had 15 points, shooting 6 of 7, including three 3-pointers.
By halftime, New Orleans extended its lead to 63–46. Booker scored 22 points before the break on 8-of-13 shooting, but the rest of the Suns shot just 8 of 31 from the field.
Pelicans: F Brandon Ingram (bruised left toe) is out. … held a 48–34 advantage in points in the paint.
Suns: C Deandre Ayton (left ankle) missed the second game in a row. … F Cam Johnson (right meniscus tear), G Cameron Payne (right hamstring strain), G Duane Washington Jr. (left hamstring strain) are also out. … missed 13 3-pointers at one point during the first half. … Booker has a career-high 70 points, which he scored against Boston in 2017. … hosted the 42nd sold-out crowd.
Pelicans: Hosts Milwaukee on Monday night.
Sons: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
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