Devin Booker’s 20-point first quarter shows Jordan Ott’s confidence

PHOENIX— New year, still the same Devin Booker for Phoenix Suns. The latter is known for his scoring, which came to life in Friday’s 129-102 win over the Sacramento Kings.

After a brutal end to the team’s trip, they started the game without a problem. A lot of missed opportunities for easy shots, and they weren’t that active on both sides. Cutting, movement off the ball and overall activity was not there.

That’s where Booker comes in. He made 20 of his 33 in the first quarter while shooting 75% from the field. Many of his shots were hotly contested, coming off the screen and rolling, and he was extremely patient.

His season paved the way, but that was it The sun’s contagious energy in the last three quarters that won them the game. Either way, Booker’s scoring expertise showed why he’s one of the best in the league to do it.

The funny moment did happen when he was about to be replaced by Colin Gillespie. Booker waved at him, indicating that he did catching the rhythmand that’s exactly how he explained the end of his 20-point outing after the game.

“Tonight was just one of those nights where I just felt the game, if it was a little bit,” Booker said. “It’s good when the coach can trust you (and) Colin (Gillespie) can swallow a pill and sit on the bench. That’s what our team is.”

Jordan Ott credits Devin Booker for a 20-point first quarter

At any point in the game of basketball, you’re going to be looking for a spark; any spark. Some of that might come in the form of statistics; some of it in other areas.

On Friday, it was in the first quarter of Booker. When the arena looked dull and flat, his methodical shooting roused the weak Phoenix crowd.

That was it The Suns needed to get back into the gameand Jordan Ott knew it. Pacing up and down the sideline, he was the first to strike out Booker at the end of the opening frame.

Since his rookie season, Booker has had 29 quarters where he scored 20 or more points, third in the league. As Ott prepared to kick Booker out of the game, Booker demanded to stay in the game.

With great commitment from his guard, Ott left Booker inside and he landed a few more punches. First year coach didn’t seem upset a little about that.

“We came to an agreement, if he feels it’s coming, obviously he’s earned the right to really dictate it,” Ott said after the game.

If it weren’t for that, the Suns might not have pulled off a win over the Kings. They’ll have an even tougher challenge on Sunday as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder and try to avenge a 49-point blowout.