The shorthanded Suns beat the league-leading Celtics and catch Jayson Tatum in a bad shooting night.
Despite having a weak reserve and a shaky bench Phoenix Suns used a strong fourth quarter to earn the road win 106-94 over the Boston Celtics on Friday night 3 February (Saturday 4 February Manila timing).
The Celtics beat the Suns 29-17 during the 3rd quarter. The Celtics were trailing 74-73 in the final 12 minutes However, Phoenix started the fourth quarter with a an 8-2 run. The Celtics never scored more than six points for the remainder of the game.
Mikal Bridges was the leading scorer for Mikal Bridges led the Suns with 25 points. Mikal Bridges led the Suns with. Chris Paul scored 15 to include 8 assists and six rebounds, as did Dario Saric (14 points 13 rebounds in the game’s highest score) along with Deandre Ayton (14 points 10 boards) each recorded double-doubles.
In addition to the absence of Devin Booker, who hasn’t been playing since Christmas due to a groin strain and groin strain, the Suns were also without Cameron Johnson (knee), Cameron Payne (foot), and Landry Shamet (foot).
Boston’s Jaylen Brown was the top scorer with 27 points, and 8 rebound. Jayson Tatum was not able to make the most of his shooting night, registering just 3 of 15 from the floor to scoring 20 points. Derrick White added 19 points.
The Celtics fell to twenty seven at home. This was their first loss in their home by double-digits in the season.
Boston scored 10-of-38 (26.3 percent) from three-point range , and made 15 errors. Phoenix scored 12 of 32 (37.5 percent) from the outside and gave up the ball just nine times.
While the Suns failed to make the first nine shots, they had a lead of 24-20 after just one quarter. Phoenix lost 7-0, but an Ayton layup put Phoenix Suns up on the board with just 7:35 remaining in the period. It was the beginning of a 12-0 run which led to Phoenix an advantage it wouldn’t give up.
The Suns lead in the second quarter by 20 after Paul hit a three-pointer in the final three minutes remaining in the second quarter however, Boston was able to respond by launching an 11-0 run to brought the deficit down to 53-44. Phoenix was leading 57-44 at the half.
Tatum did not score until he hit the triple with 3:35 to go in the second half, and was only able to score six points in the opening half.
