Booker, Beal lead Suns past Jazz in NBA Cup opener

On By Littum

game

Devin Booker scored 15 of his 31 points (11-of-20, five 3s) in the final quarter to propel Phoenix Suns to a 120-112 victory at Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

This was both teams’ first game in the NBA Cup Western Conference Group B, the league’s tournament of the season.

Bradley Beal had the Suns’ most complete game on both ends of the floor with 24 points (4-of-7 from deep), four assists, two steals and two blocks.

Mason Plumlee contributed a solid 15 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and a block in replacing the Suns’ injured starting big Jusuf Nurkic (ankle). Kevin Durant’s replacement (calf), Ryan Dunn, had eight points. Dunn’s freshman teammate Oso Ighodaro had his season-high 12 rebounds, six points and two blocks, and Grayson Allen chipped in 15 points (four 3s, 50% FG) off the bench.

John Collins had the Jazz’s high with 29 points and 11 boards.

The Suns held the lead from eight minutes into the first quarter and then took control of the game after pushing the widest margin to 18 in the second quarter.

The Suns will next face the Sacramento Kings in the second of their four-game road trip and the second of back-to-back games, Wednesday at 20. Phoenix lost to the Kings at home on Sunday, 127-118.

Grayson Allen scored seven of his 15 points to hold Phoenix up, 87-79, over Utah to close the third, keeping a hot hand from 3-point range and going 4 of 6.

Devin Booker has 16, Bradley Beal 17 for Phoenix.

After being down by 15 early in the period, the Jazz went on a 21-2 run to cut the lead to six after four minutes, but Allen’s shot extended the lead again.

Bradley Beal scored five of his team-high 13 points (3-of-5 from deep) in the second quarter for Phoenix, which took a 64-49 halftime lead.

The Suns went on a 12-0 run early in the second quarter, highlighted by back-to-back 3s by Grayson Allen (eight points). That surge extended the Suns’ biggest lead to 18. They’re shooting a stunning 58.5%, including 9-of-17 from 3, and are outscoring the Jazz 13-3 in the open floor.

In addition, the Suns had 9 blocks, one shy of tying their franchise record for blocks in a half.

Utah’s top scorer is still John Collins with 13 points.

Booker, suns in front after the 1st quarter

Phoenix leads Utah 33-21 after the first period.

Devin Booker scored nine points and dished out three assists to lead Phoenix’s offense. After a narrow early margin, the Suns got hot on a pair of 7-0 runs around the midpoint of the quarter, including the second that got their biggest lead at 12, which was capped by Booker’s 3 at 2:43.

The Jazz’s John Collins has a team-high nine points.

Starting lineups

The Suns have Mason Plumlee make his first start to replace center Jusuf Nurkic (out, ankle). Rookie forward Ryan Dunn is out for Durant (calf) for the second straight game. Tyus Jones, Booker and Beal round out their starting five.

Jazz second-year guard Keyonte George (foot) will start after being upgraded to available. Collin Sexton is in the backcourt with George, Lauri Markkanen at the four, rookie swingman Cody Williams and John Collins in the middle.

Suns, Jazz injury reports

In addition to Durant, Suns starting big Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) is questionable and backup point guard Collin Gillespie (ankle) is out.

Jazz starting guard Keyonte George (foot) is questionable. Their top shot blockers Walker Kessler (hip), Jason Preston (personal) and Taylor Hendricks (right leg surgery) are out.

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