The Phoenix Suns (19-14) hosted the Sacramento Kings (8-26) at Mortgage Matchup Center Friday.
The Kings were running a three-game losing streak, while the Suns had won four of their five last matchups.
“As a team, we start figuring things out,” Devin Booker said. “That’s how you want it to be; you want to get better as the season progresses. I think we’ve done that; we’ve took steps in many directions in a positive way.”
The Suns sat seventh in the Western Conference, pushing closer for a playoff spot rather than a play-in spot.
As for the Kings, not only did they sit 14th in the West, but they were 3-15 when travelling away from home.
The Kings were also one of four teams to not hit double digit wins in the NBA Season entering the game and both Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (ankle) were ruled out.
LaVine averaged 20.2 points per game, the most for the team.
As for Phoenix, they were without Jalen Green (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (knee) was on Game-Time Decision.
“These guys have improved, and that’s good for us,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said.
“When we get everyone back and healthy, then that’s going to be our job to figure out what’s best for the group. The injuries are going to help us in the end by learning more about these guys.”
The Suns had Dillon Brooks, who had seemingly become a locker room leader, and Booker, who were both averaging more than 21+ PPG.
“That helps me as a coach tremendously,” Ott said regarding Brooks and Booker’s competitiveness. “I can’t help but just notice it. Their fire, it comes out in different ways, but you know they both have it, and it’s a big piece of what we’re doing. The ability to go out and play hard every night stems from your best players.”
Booker led the team in assists with 6.3 assists per game and was coming off a 32-point performance against the Cavaliers.
It also helped that most of the Suns’ starting lineup consisted of players averaging 10+ PPG, regardless of position.
As for the Kings, while Keegan Murray was a solid player with 14.2 PPG, Sacramento found them relying on veterans, such as DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook, who were also averaging more than 14+ PPG respectfully.
Westbrook led the team in rebounds and assists, with 6.6 rebounds per game and 7 APG.
Regardless, if Phoenix wasn’t careful, the game could turn into a classic trap game.
There was no reason to overlook the Kings.
Before the game started, however, Grayson Allen was ruled out of the game.
“He did yesterday,” Ott said when asked if Allen participated in 5-on-5 practices. “That’s a big step, and then it was just the response back, which was great, so we’re right there.”
Royce O’Neale replaced Allen in the starting lineup.
“It’s not just about one guy,” Booker said. “It’s everybody that we’ve plugged in and that says a lot about our team, when people can be out and you can still be successful.”
Early in the first quarter, Brooks was given a technical foul after he spoke with a referee after he had committed a foul.
Entering the second quarter, the Suns held a 32-29 lead, but they’d been a one-man show.
Booker had a whopping 20 points in the first quarter alone.
“Just the intent,” Ott said. “Take what the defense was showing him. He had a good stretch early; he could feel it. Just his overall ability to do whatever he wanted inside the arc and outside the arc. When your best player plays like that it sets a great tone.”
“We take a lot of pride,” Oso Ighodaro said regarding the bench players. “Coming in, changing the game. We take a lot of pride in sharing the ball and just playing. We’ve kind of found our identity as a second unit and we just want to impact games.”
Murray also had a hot start as he had 11 points for Sacramento.
Entering the second half, it was still a close game, as the Suns held a six-point lead.
While Brooks had been quiet, Booker had 27 points and was coming to life when he was on the court.
Mark Williams of the Suns was on track for a double-double, as he had eight points and six rebounds.
“I think we just have a great versatile group,” Ighodaro said. “I think we all have our strengths and our weaknesses. I think we’ve really pushed each other, just competing against each other.”
Murray had 16 points for Sacramento and led the team with five rebounds.
The Suns’ bench had nine points compared to the 20 the Kings bench had.
“We talked about our bench,” Ott said. “Really trying to come in and impact the minutes that they had. We talked about that pregame, they can get you through some of those dry spots.”
Entering the fourth quarter, the Suns held a solid 97-83 lead.
Booker was focused heavily by Sacramento in the third quarter, limiting him to six points in the quarter, but that allowed more buckets for the rest of the team.
Brooks and Williams flourished, as Brooks had 18 points entering the fourth, while Williams had 15 points, and was one rebound away from a double-double.
“Books’ (Booker) ability to get where he wanted early,” Ott said. “I thought Dillon (Brooks) there in the third quarter was able to get to his spots. We take what the defense gives you.”
Murray was also on track for a double-double, as he had 23 points and eight rebounds.
With seven minutes left in the game, it looked out of reach for the Kings, and the Suns held a 110-90 lead.
Phoenix didn’t blink and won 129-102.
Booker finished with 33 points and five assists, which both led the team.
“It was a big day,” Booker said. “It’s been a long time coming. Tonight was one of those nights, just feeling out the game, had it going for a little bit.”
Williams didn’t get his double-double as he was pulled from the game due to Phoenix’s large lead.
Murray did get a double-double, and finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Phoenix jumps to 20-14 while the Kings fall to 8-27.
The Suns face the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday.
