Barring an earthquake, the Suns will have three selected to the All-Star Game. Chris Paul and Devin Booker of course, but also Monty Williams since by winning 134-124 at home against Minnesota, the Suns maintain the gap at the top of the Western Conference, and a small victory is now enough for Phoenix to send his coach at the All-Star Game on February 20.
Last night, the two teams had decided to leave the defenses in the locker room, and it was Devin Booker and Bismack Biyombo who were the first to strike to allow the Suns to score 40 points in the first quarter. Despite four absentees, including two holders, the Suns unfold their basketball, and Chris Paul delights with his accuracy.
First, he makes the young Jalen Smith take advantage of his caviars for the “and-1”, then, then, we leave him a whole side, and he plants a 3-pointer with the board. At the break, Phoenix retains an eight-point lead (74-66) and Chris Paul is already at 15 points and 9 assists.
Back from the locker room, it doesn’t defend any more, and it’s a bit like Karl-Anthony Towns against the rest of the world. While the Suns find many solutions, and Devin Booker takes himself for Rajon Rondo with this fake pass in the back, the Wolves only respond from inside. On his own, he allows the Wolves to return to contact (88-86), but the Smith-Shamet duo responds with a 12-2 to take a 12-point lead (100-88).
We think it’s over for Minnesota but Malik Beasley is unleashed, and he and Edwards bring Wolves to -4 with six minutes remaining (112-108). But as in the 3rd quarter, a little boost is enough for the Suns to widen the gap. This time, it’s Cam Johnson who sets the Wolves defense on fire, and Phoenix takes the lead (126-113). In two minutes, the Suns killed the game, and they pocket a 9th victory in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Phoenix flies over the NBA. Number 1 in the NBA, the 2021 finalist has the best record in its history with 39 wins and 9 losses. Even the Suns of the mid-2000s had never posted such a record. What impresses is that the Suns remain on nine straight wins while they miss Ayton, Crowder, McGee and Payne.
– The Suns don’t mess up. Unlike other franchises, the Suns aren’t one to squander a big lead and get robbed in the final quarter. Every time the Suns have led late in the 3rd quarter, they’ve won, and that’s happened 30 times this season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Chris Paul. A “triple-double” with only nine shots taken. That says a lot about the ease and accuracy of the Suns point guard, who finished with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. His duet with Bismack Biyombo still enjoyed himself on simple pick-and-roll.
✅Suns shooters. 20 3-pointers tonight for the Suns on 39 attempts. Monty Williams’ players tied their season record, and like Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, Devin Booker and Cam Johnson hit the mark from afar. Especially when Wolves were trying to get closer.
✅Anthony Edwards. What if he was the boss of Wolves? A full game with a career passing record, and a “buzzer-beater” at the end of the 3rd quarter. It is a permanent danger and facing the defense of Mikal Bridges, he knew how to be collective.
✅ ⛔Karl-Anthony Towns. Average game for Wolves star inside, unable to get rid of two-man low post or dangerous wide. On the other side of the field, he suffered against the aggressiveness of Bismack Biyombo. We will remember all the same that he held the team at arm’s length in the 3rd quarter.
THE FOLLOWING
Phoenix (39-9) : reception of the Spurs on Sunday.
Minnesota (24-25) : reunion with the Jazz on Sunday.
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