Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns shoots the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, February 13, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo / Matt York)
There are big wins during the regular season and then wins that mimic playoff basketball.
So it should come as no surprise that Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker played his best game of the season when the level of play was so high in the 120-111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
“This is what I was hoping for. Playing competitive basketball night after night, ”he said. “So, it’s been five years keeping my head down, staying trapped and watching the tunnel vision, trying to play the right way in everything for those moments here. So, I don’t want to look back. “
Booker had 36 points, so we got used to seeing him where he was a resistant 36
He has now scored at least 30 points in three consecutive games, reaching his expected form exclusively in the NBA.
The 76ers arrived in Phoenix completely committed to a Saturday complaint at 1 pm. The Suns were ready for that, exchanging shots until they finally pulled away, shooting 61% of the field through strong offensive execution.
Since the jump in the first quarter, Philadelphia has done the best defense work for Booker we’ve seen in a while. Booker started 2 of 7 on the field, being checked by Ben Simmons, one of the best defenders on the planet.
Booker managed to find some rhythm with Danny Green defending him to open the second half, and to steal a line from the man himself, he didn’t look back from there.
The two-guard All-Star made 12 of his last 16 shooting attempts. Phoenix managed to lose just five points in the first quarter, when the return of the Suns ‘main reserves once again proved to be a decisive part of the Suns’ victory.
The margins will decide the games played at this level, and one of them was the minutes of Philadelphia’s MVP candidate Joel Embiid against the second Suns unit. That’s where backup 5 Dario Saric was immense in his first game in over two months.
“Dario is not going to back off from anyone, man,” said Booker.
Saric, who played with Embiid for two seasons, got the better of Embiid on both ends with the skill of someone who has trained against a guy countless times. The Croatian knew the angles of how to attack and defend Embiid. It may have been the biggest difference in the game.
“I know very well what he will do, where I can find him in one place and that kind of thing,” said Saric.
Coach Monty Williams called Saric “a warrior” and admitted that you couldn’t expect him to block Embiid’s shot.
Saric had that block plus 15 points, two rebounds, four assists and four steals. In 20 minutes, he was 18 years old.
“Dario is one of the best guys to play … We value what he does. I know he does … He’s so cerebral, makes the right moves and (is) a great teammate, man ”, said Chris Paul.
Embiid got his, with 35 points and eight rebounds, but those were the segments of the game that the 76ers should win and they don’t. The momentum of that first change in the bench in the second half took Suns even higher to close with a draw at the end of the first half.
Booker and Paul helped or scored on 20 of the Suns’ first 22 points in the third quarter. Booker had 16 of his 36 points in that third, including a 12-point stretch from the Suns. And then it was the bank again.
Saric overcame Embiid especially in the second half. The minutes between them were tied in the first half, a great victory for the Suns, and Phoenix had an extra-5 in the first 5:30 of the fourth period with Saric in Embiid before Deandre Ayton finished the game.
At this point, Phoenix was nine and that’s where it was certainly good for Suns to have Paul and Booker perform at their best. The pair scored or helped 16 consecutive points in the last five minutes.
Booker’s 33-foot dagger to place Phoenix at 14 with 1:55 left was one of the icy variety.
It wasn’t just Saric off the bench. The group as a whole had 49 points, including four from Cameron Payne on his return, 11 via E’Twaun Moore, nine from Cam Johnson and eight more contributed by Jae Crowder.
“So good, man. We are deep. I feel like we have 15 depths, ”said Booker. “Everyone can play. Everyone is ready to go. “
The Suns (16-9) can beat the NBA elite, like the 76ers (18-9), even with some important players out if they have other pieces ready to pick up their teammates. It happened on Saturday, with two of its top four players playing badly.
Ayton couldn’t find a way to impact the game. In 27 minutes, he had 11 points and six rebounds.
And if something felt strange watching the final minutes, it was probably Mikal Bridges’ lack on the court. The ultra-reliable wing had a rare rest, scoring four points, two rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes. Williams went with Crowder and Johnson over Bridges and titleholder Frank Kaminsky to end the game.
Although the team has played well with Kaminsky in recent games and it is wise for Williams not to interrupt the flow, the team will receive better contributions elsewhere, and Williams was not afraid to back down with more options. Kaminsky played only 11 minutes.
Paul had 18 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
The Suns have now won five consecutive games and eight of the last nine. In three of the last four, they have beaten the 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. The Eastern Conference Finals will certainly include at least one of these teams and perhaps even both.
It’s the best basketball move Phoenix has seen from its team in a decade. The high expectations for Suns this year now being met and even surpassed should not be let out of the mind.
If someone isn’t going to let that happen, that’s the face of the franchise.
Booker missed a three-point shot when he was in the middle of a tear in the third quarter and, going out of time, screamed and took some frustration out of the basket near the bank. He knew the level of basketball played, how important each shot can be.
He wants to prosper in this more than anyone. He did on Saturday, and he will only get better at that.