The Phoenix Suns won two consecutive games for the first time since late January as they defeated the Chicago Bulls, 127-121, Wednesday before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at PHX Arena.
The Suns last won two straight during a three-game win streak when beating Brooklyn, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers from Jan. 22 to Jan. 27.
Devin Booker scored 13 of his game-high 41 points in the third quarter when Phoenix took its largest lead of the game, 87-66, with 4:44 left in the quarter.
Kevin Durant scored 26 points after a 14-point night in Monday’s win over Toronto. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White paced the Bulls (29-40) with 24 points each.
The Suns (33-37) now have the same record as Dallas (33-37) in battling for the 10th seed and final play-in spot in the Western Conference, but Phoenix won the season series, 3-1.
So, Phoenix has the head-to-head tiebreaker over short-handed Dallas, which lost to Indiana Wednesday.
The Suns continue their five-game homestand Friday against Cleveland (56-12). The Cavs have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but have lost their last three games.
Suns go up as many as 21 points, maintain lead entering 4th
The Phoenix Suns extended their lead in the third quarter in taking a 99-84 advantage going into the fourth.
Kevin Durant has a game-high 26 points while Devin Booker has 21 points.
Phoenix led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter.
The Suns are looking to win two games in a row for the first time since late January. The Suns took the first game of the series last month, 121-117, in Chicago. They are looking to have a more impressive victory over the Bulls in the rematch.
Suns withstand Chicago run, up double digits at half
The Phoenix Suns withstood a Chicago run to take their largest lead of 15 points as they are ahead, 63-51, at the break.
The Bulls pulled within three points midway through the third quarter, but Phoenix answered with a 19-7 run to take a 57-42 advantage with 2:05 left in the first half.
Durant has scored 17 points in the first half to go along with four assists. Nick Richards had contributed 14 points while Devin Booker chipped in eight.
Nikola Vucevic leads the Bulls with 11 points.
The Suns have scored 17 points off nine Chicago turnovers and have only committed four. The Bulls haven’t scored any points off Phoenix turnovers.
Phoenix is just a half game behind Dallas for the 10th seed and final play-in spot in the Western Conference as Indiana beat the Mavs on Wednesday.
The Phoenix Suns appear to be building off their largest margin of victory as they take a 31-22 lead over the Chicago Bulls after one.
The Suns have scored 12 points off six Chicago turnovers and only have two turnovers. The Bulls haven’t scored any points off the Phoenix turnovers.
Kevin Durant has 11 points after scoring just 14 in Monday’s win over Toronto.
The Suns led by as many as 11 points.
Budenholzer sticking with starting two-way player
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer started two-way player Collin Gillespie in place of an injured Bradley Beal in the second half of Sunday’s road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Beal strained his left hamstring in the first half Sunday, didn’t play Monday in the second of a back-to-back against Toronto and is out for Wednesday’s game versus Chicago.
Gillespie made his first career start Monday in place of Beal and is starting again Wednesday.
“Defensively, felt like we need to find ways as a team to be better,” said Budenholzer as the Suns are 26th in the NBA in defensive rating. “Again, we’re always talking about different combinations, different ways to use guys. He’s pesky, he gets up in, he picks up full court, get on the boards.”
Gillespie is starting with Devin Booker, rookie Ryan Dunn, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards while the Bulls are starting Tre Jones, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic.
Budenholzer also likes Tyus Jones, who has started 57 games this season, with the second unit and playing off Devin Booker.
Phoenix Suns guards Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and big Mason Plumlee are ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Beal remains out with a left hamstring strain and is scheduled for a re-evaluation Monday. Allen will miss a fifth straight game with a left foot strain. Plumlee is listed out with a left quad strain.
Chicago’s Lonzo Ball is out with a wrist injury, while Josh Giddey (ankle) is available after being listed as questionable.
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