DEVIN Booker poured in 12 of his team-high 30 points during a 48-point, first-quarter explosion Sunday night (Monday in Manila) that sent the host Phoenix Suns to a 140-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a matchup of possible first-round playoff opponents.
Deandre Ayton also contributed 10 points to the first-quarter flurry that put the Lakers in a 26-point hole and paved the way to a seventh loss in their last nine games despite a game-high 31 points from LeBron James.
Ayton finished with 23 points for the Suns, who successfully rebounded from a 117-112 home loss to the Toronto Raptors. In beating the Lakers for the third straight time this season by a total of 57 points, the Suns went from a 6-2 deficit to a 16-6 lead behind a pair of Booker 3-pointers.
James went for 31 points and team-highs in rebounds with seven and assists with six. The 30-point game was his 28th of the season. Carmelo Anthony had 18 points, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk 13 apiece, and Austin Reaves 10 for the Lakers, who lost despite outscoring the Suns 48-36 on 3-pointers.
In other games, it was the Pelicans 130, Rockets 105; Nets 110, Knicks 107; Sixers 116, Magic 114 (OT); Clippers 106, Pistons 102; Mavs 95, Celtics 92; Hawks 131, Pacers 128; and Grizzlies 125, Thunder 118.
Pelicans 130, Rockets 105
Jonas Valanciunas had 32 points and 10 rebounds as host New Orleans ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over Houston.
Jaxson Hayes added 21 points, Naji Marshall had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Jose Alvarado had 16 points, 10 assists and six steals, Willy Hernangomez scored 12 points and Devonte’ Graham 10 for the short-handed Pelicans.
Jalen Green scored 17, David Nwaba added 15, Jae’Sean Tate returned from a two-game absence due to a sore left ankle to score 14 and Josh Christopher scored 13 to pace the Rockets. Leading scorer Christian Wood returned from a three-game absence due to illness and had eight points – 10 below his average – but he added a game-high 12 rebounds.
Nets 110, Knicks 107
Kevin Durant highlighted a season-high 53-point performance by hitting the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 56.3 seconds remaining as host Brooklyn edged New York.
Durant made 19 of 37 shots and his biggest hoop snapped a 103-103 tie. After Goran Dragic’s defense forced New York’s Julius Randle into a turnover, Durant spotted up from the left wing opposite New York’s bench and cleanly hit a 3-pointer over RJ Barrett.
Durant finished one shy of his career high and added nine assists. He also broke the franchise record held by John Williamson (1978) for points in a game against the Knicks.
