Booker stars as Suns beat Heat to seal NBA play-off berth
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Devin Booker returned from a four-game absence to power Phoenix over Miami 111-90 on Wednesday in a matchup of conference leaders, clinching an NBA play-off berth for the Suns.
Booker, back after being sidelined by COVID-19 protocols, scored a game-high 23 points, passed off nine assists, pulled down eight rebounds, made two steals and blocked two shots for the visitors, who improved to a league-best 53-13.
The triumph was important to the Suns, who lost 100-123 to Miami at Phoenix on January 8.
“They came to our home court and kicked our ass so we wanted to make a statement here,” Booker said. “We knew it was going to be a hard game but I like how we played.”
Mikal Bridges added 21 points for Phoenix while Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Duncan Robinson led Miami with 22 points. The Heat were without star Jimmy Butler, out with sinus congestion.
The Suns stretched their lead in the Western Conference to 8.5 games over Memphis by dispatching the top club in the Eastern Conference, the Heat falling to 44-23.
Phoenix, which lost last year’s NBA Finals to Milwaukee, improved to 22-0 this season when keeping an opponent under 100 points and became the first team to secure a post-season berth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to spark the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks over visiting Atlanta 124-115.
It was the sixth victory in a row for the Bucks, who pulled within two games of the Heat for the conference lead at 42-25. Trae Young led the Hawks with 27 points and 11 assists.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic of Serbia struck for 38 points and 18 rebounds to power the Denver Nuggets over host Sacramento 106-100 despite 32 points from the Kings’ De’Aaron Fox.
Houston rookie Jalen Green scored a season-high 32 points to power the Western Conference doormat Rockets to a 109-100 overtime home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers despite a triple double from LeBron James.
Turkish rookie Alpern Sengun scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who had seven players in double figures.
James delivered 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for the Lakers while Russell Westbrook scored 30 points to lead Los Angeles, which fell to 28-37 at ninth in the Western Conference.
