Still without Devin Booker, the Suns slap the Cavaliers

Private Devin Bookermany could have thought that the Sun would fall in order. It’s not like that! On the contrary. Faced with CavaliersPhoenix played one of its best games of the season and won by a score of 126–113, which is flattering for Cleveland since the meeting was unbalanced in the series.

However, the start of the match is delayed. Grayson Allen sets the tone early with a 3-pointer, but Cleveland immediately responds by relying on Jarrett Allen, very comfortable in the paint. The Suns fumble a bit, take a timeout, then adjust. The additions of Jordan Goodwin and Oso Ighodar change the defensive energy, and Phoenix is ​​already starting to lay the foundations for what will be the difference all night long: constant pressure, steals and a high tempo. Despite everything, the first quarter ended with a narrow score: 26-25 for the Suns.

The second quarter confirms this dynamic. Jordan Goodwin, although erratic in recent weeks, produced a very high quality first pass with some award-winning shots that exploded the room. Cleveland is trying to keep up with him, especially thanks to Thomas Bryant behind the arc, but Phoenix is ​​gradually making progress. The ball circulates better, the Suns punish every opponent’s defensive assist and force more and more turnovers. When Royce O’Neal hit two 3-pointers in quick succession, the margin finally widened. At the break, Phoenix was leading 52–47, already with a clear hold on the match: 15 turnovers, 21 points scored behind these mistakes, and the nose of Donovan Mitchell.

Kenny Atkinson has been sent off

The turning point comes from the very beginning. A day after his career high, Dillon Brooks is entering that famous “Villain” mode that characterizes him so well. It makes a point, provokes, sets the tone. Phoenix had an impressive third quarter, almost perfect offensively. Shots are coming from everywhere, even after the moment of fear following Jalen Green’s fall. Cleveland tries to respond, the forces of Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill bring a few baskets, but nothing goes. Phoenix plays fair, fast and above all together. The third quarter ended with a real blow: 45 points from the Suns, a gap that increased to about twenty units (95-72) and the impression that the match was already over.

The last quarter will only confirm this impression. The Cavaliers, frustrated, are losing their tempers more than basketball. Technical fouls pile up, Kenny Atkinson is sent off in the first minute, and Phoenix calmly continues to press where it hurts. The Goodwin-Gillespie duo is still watering from behind the arc, the gap reaches 33 points, and the meeting is definitely going down the drain. Cleveland slightly reduced the score at the end of the match, but the outcome was no longer in doubt.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The Suns team. This victory is anything but trivial for Phoenix. Without Devin Booker, the team showed outstanding collective basketball, with seven players over ten points and devastating skill from the outside. Dillon Brooks finished as the leading scorer with 27 points, but the Cavaliers exploded due to an overall effort, aggressive defense and tempo management.

Mitchell choked. While some envision him in the MVP race, Donovan Mitchell went through hell in Arizona with 16 points and 8 turnovers!

Another scare for Green. Jaylen Green scored 11 points in 16 minutes to return after missing Phoenix’s last three games with a knee… This time, the former Rockets leader went down hard after contact with Jarrett Allen. Lying on his stomach for several minutes, Green suffered hip pain but returned to the game with the third quarter remaining. He then found Royce O’Neill for a successful 3-point shot, grabbed a defensive rebound and then made the game-winning shot in the corner to extend the deficit. Jordan Ott then warmed it up in the 4th quarter.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.