Chris Paul, Devin Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight win

Chris Paul was on the receiving finish of a tough shove within the last seconds from Minnesota’s Taurean Prince and gamers from each groups froze for a split-second, questioning how the 11-time All-Star would react.

Mainly, the Phoenix level guard did nothing. He waved off his teammates and walked to the free-throw line.

The Suns have been about to win — once more. That’s all that mattered.

Devin Booker scored 29 factors, Paul had a triple-double with 21 factors, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and the NBA-leading Suns received their ninth straight recreation, beating the Timberwolves 134-124 on Friday evening.

“Proper now, we’re in a great groove as a staff,” Paul mentioned. “We simply need to keep that approach.”

Cam Johnson — who has lately moved right into a beginning function with a number of key gamers are injured — hit back-to-back 3-pointers halfway via fourth to assist push the Suns previous the pesky Timberwolves. He completed with 23 factors. The 6-foot-8 ahead additionally had the help on two extra 3-pointers within the closing minutes — one by Landry Shamet and one other by Paul.

“He’s listening to us and simply taking pictures the ball,” Paul mentioned about Johnson. “Typically, he doesn’t understand how good he’s. We’re simply completely happy he’s on our staff.”

Phoenix performed with out starters Deandre Ayton (proper ankle sprain) and Jae Crowder (left wrist contusion) and key backups JaVale McGee (left knee soreness) and Cameron Payne (proper wrist sprain).

The Suns improved to 39-9, the most effective begin in franchise historical past. They moved to 30-0 when main after three quarters, utilizing the veteran savvy of Paul to take management in key moments. Phoenix hit 20 3-pointers to tie a season excessive.

The Suns are also one win away from clinching the highest spot within the Western Convention heading into the All-Star break. That might imply that Monty Williams could be a head coach within the All-Star recreation.

“We all know our foremost goal is to win a title, deliver a championship right here,” Booker mentioned. “However you possibly can rejoice the little issues going into it, together with the large issues. Getting our complete teaching workers there could be huge time.”

It was Paul’s 18th profession triple-double and third since becoming a member of the Suns final season.

The Suns had a 12-point lead late within the third quarter however needed to accept a 100-93 benefit going into the fourth after Anthony Edwards had a steal and made a 14-foot jumper on the buzzer. The Timberwolves minimize it to 3 factors at one level within the fourth however couldn’t get nearer.

“We may give you excuses all day however on the finish of the day nobody cares in regards to the labor,” Cities mentioned. “They solely care in regards to the child. We’ve to verify we acquired the job carried out as a result of that’s the solely factor folks care about.”

Edwards had 27 factors and a career-high 10 assists for Minnesota. Malik Beasley added in 26 factors off the bench, and Karl-Anthony Cities had 23. Beasley scored 18 factors within the fourth quarter.

“Our offense is clicking. We did an excellent job there,” Minnesota’s Chris Finch mentioned. “We acquired to get our protection again to the place it was for the majority of the season. I feel it’s a little unfastened proper now.”

The Suns pushed forward 40-32 after the primary quarter and took a 74-66 lead into halftime. Booker led all scorers with 20 factors earlier than the break, and Paul added 15 factors and 9 assists. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 16 factors.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Guards Patrick Beverley (proper ankle sprain) and D’Angelo Russell (left shin contusion) didn’t play. … Cities acquired a technical foul late within the second quarter for arguing with a referee.

Suns: Phoenix shot 10 of 19 (52.6%) from 3-point vary within the first half. … The Footprint Heart hosted a sellout crowd for the tenth straight recreation. … Paul wanted simply 9 photographs to get his triple-double. He was 4 of 5 on 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host Utah on Sunday.

Suns: Host Sam Antonio on Sunday.