Booker relieves Phoenix
The magnitude of the score (124-104) certainly does not reflect the reality of the meeting between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder, a sort of clash of cultures between the first of the regular season and the penultimate of the Western Conference (18 wins) in the midst of reconstruction, but it reflects how precious Devin Booker’s awakening was for the Arizona franchise, which was playing its first game without its leader Chris Paul (broken right thumb).
When the locals, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 points), back from injury, and Australian rookie Josh Giddey (15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists), returned to 5 points on the edge of money-time (103-98), the rear had to raise his voice, bringing his own to a rather reassuring 21-6 final (including 9 points for Booker over this period of time).
«It’s a good thing to get rid of this gamecommented Suns coach Monty Williams, who feared the recovery after the break dedicated to the celebrations of the All Star Game played in Cleveland. I thought we were a little rusty, we managed to clean it all up and get used to Devin playing point guard (in place of Paul) at one point.»
12
Devin Booker had 12 assists against OKC to equal his season high. He also cracked six interceptions.
DeMar DeRozan for the Chicago Bulls
Business was more difficult to negotiate for the Chicago Bulls, leaders in the East (39 wins), and hung at home by the Atlanta Hawks (112-108). In order to get out of it and glean a sixth success in a row, Billy Donovan’s men relied, as often, on the efficiency of DeMar DeRozan, author of 37 points to 15 of 21 in shooting. His performance, accompanied by 20 points from Zach LaVine and a double-double from pivot Nikola Vucevic (12 points, 10 rebounds), made it possible to compensate for the 53 points scored by the European duo formed by Danilo Gallinari (26 points, 9 rebounds) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (27 points off the bench) while Trae Young was particularly discreet (9 points, 1 assist).
8
DeRozan has just had an eighth game with at least 35 points and 50% shooting success. This is his ninth straight game with at least 30 points. The last Bulls player to have achieved such a series? Michael Jordan, with ten matches, between December 25, 1990 and January 14, 1991.
«We are witnessing something historicunderlined the rookie Ayo Dosunmu about the performances of his leader. It is something that people will remember for a long time. And it won’t be equaled for a while.»
It must be said that the former San Antonio Spurs player has a knack for being decisive in hot moments. While Atlanta was leading 108-105, the winger scored a two-point basket in quick succession and then a second basket, foul as a bonus, 15 seconds from the buzzer. It’s hard to ask for more from a player who the media believed would bring nothing to this Chicago team this season…
