Adjusting to life without Chris Paul is still a work in progress for the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns enter Sunday’s home contest against the Utah Jazz trying to avoid their first two-game losing streak since late December.
On Friday, Phoenix dropped its second game without Paul in the lineup, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 117-102. The Suns had been surging before their All-Star point guard fractured his thumb Feb. 16 against Houston.
Phoenix, which boasts the NBA’s best record at 49-11, had won eight straight games and 19 of 20 contests before falling to the Pelicans. New Orleans took advantage of Paul’s absence and jumped out to a 95-81 lead after three quarters.
Devin Booker has taken over point guard duties while Paul heals. Booker did well in his adjusted role during a 124-104 victory over Oklahoma City on Thursday, collecting 25 points and 12 assists against the Thunder. Booker racked up 30 points against New Orleans on Friday, but he had only five assists.
It wasn’t enough to overcome CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, who combined for 60 points against the Suns’ defense.
“We just have to find ways,” Booker said. “Every game is going to be a new learning experience for us. It will take a collective group, a whole unit.”
A winner of seven of its past eight, Utah is starting to resemble the team many expected to be a contender atop the Western Conference.
The Jazz outlasted Dallas for a 114-109 victory on Friday, when Donovan Mitchell led the way with 33 points, making a career-high seven 3-pointers. Rudy Gobert chipped in 14 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks to help Utah complete its comeback.
“When you narrow it down, we did what we were supposed to do,” Mitchell said.
Utah went through its own struggles before the NBA All-Star break when Mitchell and Gobert each missed several games because of injuries. With their two All-Stars healthy, the Jazz are playing at a high level again. Mitchell is giving the team a boost with his efficient offense and Gobert is turning back opponents with strong defense.
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year made a statement on Friday, guarding Mavericks star Luka Doncic effectively on switches. Although he scored 23 points, Doncic made just 8 of 24 shots from the field and missed three attempts in the final two minutes with Gobert smothering him.
“Gobert is such a good defender,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “When he’s switching, he’s as good as anybody standing in front of guards.”
Utah and Phoenix met twice last month, with the Suns winnig both games: 115-109 win in Arizona on Jan. 24 and 105-97 in Salt Lake City two days later.
Booker averaged 38.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in the two victories and his efficient shooting kept Utah’s defense on its heels for four quarters.
–Field Level Media
