PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns had their All-Star backcourt on the courtroom and enjoying properly. As for the Utah Jazz, their All-Star backcourt was injured and on the bench.

The outcomes have been predictable.

Devin Booker scored 31 factors, Chris Paul had 12 factors and 9 assists and the Suns pulled right into a tie for the perfect report within the NBA by cruising previous the Jazz 121-100 on Friday evening.

Phoenix is definitely atop the NBA, by advantage of holding the tiebreaker over the Jazz.

Two nights after clinching their first postseason spot in 11 years, the Suns saved rolling and by no means trailed after the opening minutes.

Booker shot 13 of 19 from the sphere, hitting three step-back jumpers late within the third that introduced roars from the group. The third one got here in entrance of the Suns’ bench and was over Utah’s 7-foot heart Rudy Gobert. Ayton and Bridges have been celebrating so onerous with Booker that they nearly forgot to let him again on protection.

“That’s simply having enjoyable with it man,” Booker stated, grinning. “Not everybody has a vibe like this, an power like this. It’s an ideal surroundings to get higher in.”

Mikal Bridges added 18 factors. Deandre Ayton had 11 factors and 9 rebounds.

The Suns and Jazz each have a 45-18 report. In the event that they’re tied on the finish of the season, Phoenix would declare the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention playoffs as a result of they swept the three-game season sequence.

The Jazz have been led by Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 22 factors. Utah has misplaced three of its final 4 video games.

“I believe our physicality wasn’t there,” Gobert stated. “These guys are good however I really feel they have been somewhat bit too comfy. Our offense affected our protection, too. Once we flip the ball over or take a foul shot they have been in a position to run on us. Then they get going and get confidence.”

Utah was enjoying with out their All-Star backcourt of Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell. Conley was out due to a good hamstring, whereas Mitchell has a sprained ankle. With out them on the ground, Phoenix flourished.

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“These are powerful video games to play in emotionally,” Suns coach Monty Williams stated. “You’re ramped as much as play in opposition to the perfect group within the league they usually sit a couple of guys, you may have a letdown. However we dealt with enterprise tonight.”

The Suns took a 25-point lead by halfway via the second quarter when Cameron Payne‘s 3-pointer made it 50-25. The Jazz managed to chop the deficit to 68-52 by halftime.

Booker led the Suns with 16 earlier than the break, whereas Bridges had 13. Bogdanovic had 15 for the Jazz.

The Jazz pulled inside 70-57 within the third quarter, however couldn’t get any nearer. The Suns had their lead again as much as 96-72 by the beginning of the fourth and eased to the win.

“We didn’t execute the best way we needed to,” Utah coach Quin Snyder stated. “In video games like this when sure gamers usually are not in a position to play, your margin for error is basically small.”

One motive the Suns have been among the many NBA’s greatest groups is their greatest gamers have stayed wholesome. Ayton and Bridges have performed in all 63 video games this season. Paul has performed in 62 and Booker’s been obtainable for 59.

They’ve needed to combine and match some with their second unit. Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, Abdel Nader and Payne have all missed chunks of time.

“We have now a tricky group,” Williams stated. “They work actually onerous to allow them to play via bumps and bruises of the season.”

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Suns simply prime shorthanded Jazz, now tied for greatest report in NBA initially appeared on NBCSports.com