Booker Leads Suns Past Rockets 102-99

Alperen Sengun had just tied it 95-95 at the free-throw line. Then Devin Booker took over. He scored seven straight points, capped by a drive to the rim, to put the Phoenix Suns up 102-95, and they held on to beat the Houston Rockets 102-99 at home on Saturday night, Arizona Sports reported. Booker finished with 24 points.

It was a duel with his old teammate. Kevin Durant had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, and NBA.com counted 17 lead changes in a grinder of a game. Phoenix has now won two straight for the first time this season.

A 19-Point Lead Disappeared

The Suns started on fire, shooting 76 percent in the first quarter and leading 35-23. The lead grew as high as 19, then the offense fell apart in the second quarter. Phoenix turned it over seven times in just over eight minutes, scored only 12 points in the quarter, and Houston ripped off a 20-3 run to tie it at halftime.

The Suns did not fold this time. They traded punches through the third, led 76-75 after three and got big minutes from the bench. Rookie Khaman Maluach had eight points and 10 rebounds and was plus-11 in 18 minutes. Ryan Dunn was plus-25 in 23 minutes with three steals.

Durant Had His Chances

Phoenix made Durant work for every look. He shot 5 for 14 and did a lot of his damage at the line. He hit a baseline leaner with 47 seconds left to cut it to three, then got a decent look at a tying three with 11 seconds to go and missed. Sengun was held to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, and Amen Thompson had 17 points, five offensive rebounds and four blocks.

Booker was not efficient, going 10 for 24 with three assists, three steals and four turnovers in 39 minutes. It did not matter. When the game was tied late, the ball went to him, and he delivered. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, both traded from Houston, got their first win against their old team. Houston was without Steven Adams and Clint Capela.

Spurs Come to Town

The homestand continues Monday against Victor Wembanyama and a San Antonio team riding an eight-game winning streak. That is a much bigger test for a defense that spent most of the early season near the bottom of the league.

Smacktok pick lean: Lean higher on Devin Booker points against the Spurs on Monday. He played 39 minutes, took 24 shots and was the guy Phoenix went to with the game tied late. If San Antonio’s length slows his shooting again, keep the lean on his shot attempts rather than efficiency.