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The Phoenix Suns accelerated in the 4th quarter to afford the 106-97 victory.
Frank Kaminski was able to make up for the fact that Dario Saric missed the game by helping to keep the game close, while the starting lineup behind Deandre Ayton for the Suns were able to come in and finish the job.
The Suns went on a 26-6 run in the fourth to reverse the margin, similar to their 37-7 run in the fourth quarter a week ago over the Pelicans.
The Suns are now 21-11 on the year, while the Bulls are down to 15-17.
First half
In the first four minutes to start the game, the Suns looked to Ayton to get the ball early with a small growl from veteran point guard Chris Paul. Hitting the ball four of the first 11 possessions hopes to spark some urgency on Ayton’s part.
The Bulls’ early turnovers gave the Suns a chance to build on a lead totaling four in the first quarter.
Mr. First Quarter himself, Devin Booker, continued the trend of leading the Suns in big shooting attempts and points shooting 5-11 from the field with 10 points.
Mikal Bridges did what he did best to reach the rim, finishing the quarter with five points. In Saric’s absence, coach Monty Williams will look for that contributor off the bench early.
To clean up the mistakes, the Bulls managed to tie the game at 26 apiece after the Suns were able to take an 11-point lead.
It became the Thaddeus Young match against Frank Kaminski early in the second quarter, as they traded blow for blow. It sounds like a boring game, but could the passion of scoring on each other show they have a history together? They must have shared a girlfriend at one point maybe. The two would reach the bench in the eighth minute of the second with Frank at six points and Young at eight.
Still continuing to fight beyond the arc, the Suns started the game 1-8 and the Bull 3-13.
To close the first half, the Bulls started a 9-0 run, taking their lead to 42-48. After a Suns timeout, Paul and Booker were able to get to the line, which you don’t see too often from the Suns. But unable to gain traction on the Bulls after that, the Suns entered the tunnel halfway down 58-46.
Key statistics for the Suns at half-time:
- Suns gave up 30 points in the paint
- ZERO turnover
- 10 points from the bench
- 1-10 of 3
- Bounced 22-15 without giving up an offensive rebound
Second part
Ayton was the priority for the Suns to start the second half. Get him the ball, leading to next to nothing. It took the offended Suns in other directions. Get to Booker and Bridges’ free throw line hitting a three to try and start the attack.
Next, back to Ayton. In the 7th minute into the 3rd quarter, the Suns were able to reduce the lead to seven. Ayton fed the ball over and over to bring it to 14 points. When the mid-range game and the 3-point game don’t play out, the next action was to feed the inside.
The Suns managed to put together a 13-2 run, but the three-ball didn’t fall. The Bulls managed to knock down more than two threes to extend the lead to 12. He’s the Bulls’ mystery man – Luke Kornet tackling 3 of 3 of 3.
The bench including Abdel Nader and Frank were able to come in and chain an 11-0 run helping the Suns close the gap. A little more Suns ball movement and mistakes (including some Billy Donavan tech) by the Bulls’ defense added to the help.
Frank started the 4th quarter with his 13th point and a big block at the other end. The battle between Frank and Young tasted like more blood. A jersey exchange after the match could have taken place.
Ayton replaced Frank in the heat of the moment and the Suns fed the big man. All hits from the first half and the third quarter led
The Suns led at 6:14 in the 4th quarter with a crash by Cam Johnson 89-87.
Even with the referees’ disrespect for Booker again, the emotions were subdued just enough that he lacked technique. The focus on finishing the Bulls on the defensive side and inside the paint completed the comeback as Ayton was fed and shots started to fall.
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