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Phoenix Suns

Suns Dominate Jazz, 126-104, in Home Opener

The Phoenix Suns held their first home game of the season against the Utah Jazz. The Suns went into this game without two of their top three players.

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Bradley Beal and Devin Booker were both out for this match-up. This was the third straight game missed for Beal and second game missed for Booker. For the second straight game Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen were inserted into the starting lineup for Beal and Booker.

First Quarter

The Utah Jazz started the game off on a 4-0 run. The Suns responded by scoring ten straight points.

Phoenix was up 14-7 with 8:07 left in the first quarter. They were doing a great job of turning defense into offense. The Jazz had three turnovers in the first four minutes of the game which all led to points for Phoenix.

Utah was able to claw their way back into the game behind the scoring of Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton. Phoenix was up 18-16 with 5:08 left in the first quarter.

The first players off of the bench for the Suns was Drew Eubanks and Jordan Goodwin who came in for Jusuf Nurkic and Eric Gordon. Eubanks got a technical foul after being tangled up with John Collins.

The Suns would extend their lead during this time by going on 13-3 run.

The good play would continue for the Suns as they capitalized on the Utah’s strategy to double Kevin Durant. Phoenix lead 37-27 after the first quarter. Phoenix shot 57% from the floor and 50% from three in the quarter. Utah also shot the ball well. The Jazz shot 57% from the floor and 60% from three.

Second Quarter

The Utah Jazz got off to a great start in the second quarter, going on a 5-0 run. The run was ended by a Eric Gordon three point jumper. The Suns would maintain their lead behind the play of Jusuf Nurkic. They were up 46-38 with 6:48 left in the half.

It wasn’t just three pointers as the Suns scored on drives to the lane. post-ups, and pick and rolls.

Phoenix was up 57-45 with 2:53 left in the half. Eric Gordon was huge in the first half with his scoring.

Kevin Durant had a very efficient first half scoring 14 points on 4/6 from the floor and 6/6 from the free throw line.

The Suns were up 66-50 to halftime.

Players of the Half

Eric Gordon led all scorers with 21 points. Kevin Durant had 14 points and 5 assists. For the Utah Jazz Lauri Markkanen was their leading scorer with 12 points.

Key Stats of the Half

The Suns were having their best shooting game of the season by far in the first half. They shot 53% from the floor and 100% from the free throw line. Phoenix shot 13 free throws and the Jazz only shot four.

Third Quarter

The Utah Jazz stumbled out of the gates to start the second half as the Suns went on a 11-0 to start the third quarter. The run was briefly interrupted by a Markkanen three but Durant came right back with a three of his own.

The Suns continued the onslaught as the quarter went on. They were up 85-57 with 6:35 left in the quarter. Utah tried to slow down the Suns with a zone defense. It did not have an effect on Phoenix’s offense.

The Suns were doing a great job of scoring in transition. The Suns were up 15-2 in fast break points with 2:17 left in the third quarter. The third quarter was as one-sided as it gets. Phoenix outscored Utah, 40-28 in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Grayson Allen was the only starter in the game to start the fourth for the Suns. Allen and the bench continued to apply pressure on the Jazz. They were up 114-90 with eight minutes left in the game.

This game was busted open in the third quarter and there was no coming back for Utah. The Suns would go on to win 126-104.

Players of the Game

The Phoenix Suns won with a well-rounded effort from the entire team. The players who stood out were Kevin Durant who had 26 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Eric Gordon also had a very good game with 21 points. Grayson Allen chipped in with 17.

In the losing effort for Utah, Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points and Collin Sexton had 14.

Key Stats of the Game

Phoenix had their best shooting night of the season by far. They shot 51% from the floor and 92% from the free throw line.  After having more turnovers than assists against the Lakers in their last game. The Suns had almost triple the amount of assists to turnovers in this one. Suns had 31 assists and only 11 turnovers.

Up Next

The (2-1) Phoenix Suns are at home again on Tuesday, October 31st as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs come to town. The (1-2) Utah Jazz are on the road again on Monday, October 30th against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

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