By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Phoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers 113 -103 to grab their sixth straight win and ninth overall through the last 10 games.
Mykal Bridges (23 points), Bismack Biyombo (21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists) and Chris Paul (18 points, 16 assists) took care of business for the Suns on offense while star Devin Booker had a bad shooting night (5-23 from the field for 11 points). Phoenix led up to 20 points, 81 – 61 late in the third period.
Goga Bitadze was the top performer for the Pacers after finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. His team was without Domantas Sabonis (ankle) and Caris LeVert (sore calf). The latter had been the Pacers’ leading scorer with 30 points in a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite these absences, Indiana managed to cut their 20-point deficit to six, 105 – 99 with four minutes to play. Five straight points by Cameron Johnson put the Suns up by double figures once more and the Pacers never became threatening in the rest of the match.
The Milwaukee Bucks were hot despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and overpowered the Sacramento Kings 133 – 127 behind 34 points, six rebounds and five assists courtesy of Khris Middleton. Jrue Holiday pitched in 26 points for the winning squad.
Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 24 points.
Darius Garland had 24 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 94 – 87. Cedi Osman scored 10 off the bench while Lauri Markkanen added nine points.