Booker scores 52 as Suns eclipse Pelicans
Devin Booker produced a 52-point masterpiece as the Phoenix Suns eclipsed the New Orleans Pelicans 124111 in the NBA on Sunday.
Booker boosted Phoenix’s hopes of overtaking New Orleans for an automatic playoff berth with a dazzling performance on the road at the Pelicans’ Smoothie King Centre.
The Phoenix win, which ensured the Minnesota Timberwolves have clinched a playoff spot, leaves the Suns just one win behind sixth-placed New Orleans.
As things stand, Phoenix is now 44-31 and on course for the Western Conference play-in tournament.
However New Orleans (45-30) face a nerveracking finale to the regular season, knowing that one slip could be fatal.
All five of Phoenix’s starters posted double digit points totals, with Kevin Durant finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Jusuf Nurkic adding 19 points with 19 rebounds.
Zion Williamson led the New Orleans scoring with 30 points while Trey Murphy added 21.
Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser both scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics romped past the Charlotte Hornets 118104 in North Carolina.
Boston, which has already secured top spot in the Eastern Conference, was stung by the Hornets in a surprise upset defeat earlier this season.
But despite trailing early, there was little chance of a repeat defeat after the Celtics cut loose to open up a commanding 19-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
Hauser’s 25-point contribution off the bench included seven threepointers, while starters Kristaps Porzingis (20), Derrick White (19) and Al Horford (15) also made double figures.
The Pacers improved to 43-33 to remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference just ahead of seventh-placed Miami (4133), which is on track to finish in the play-in tournament.
Brooklyn is all but eliminated from postseason contention.
The Nets are 29-47 and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing 10thplaced Atlanta (34-40).