San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Paul’s milestone helps lead Suns’ 16th straight win
A chance to match franchise history and take a spot atop the NBA is waiting for the Phoenix Suns.
They have loftier aspirations than those, but want them anyway.
“Obviously, everybody knows the ultimate goal is the chance to win a championship,” Suns guard Chris Paul said. “But if you don’t enjoy the small victories throughout the regular season, then what the hell are you doing?”
Devin Booker scored 30 points, Paul had 22 and the Suns extended their winning streak to 16 games with a 113-107 victory over the host Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.
Paul added eight rebounds and five assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points, 10,000 assists and 5,000 rebounds.
Phoenix overwhelmed the Eastern Conference leaders early, never trailing and leading by as many as 22 points while moving within a victory of matching the longest winning streak in franchise history.
The Suns will try to do that Tuesday night at home against the Warriors (17-2) in a matchup of the top two teams in the NBA.
“I’m looking forward to it, man,” Booker said. “Obviously not a make it, break it. It’s not a playoff game, but we know it’s going to be high-energy, two best records in the NBA. It’s going to a high-intensity, fun game.”
Phoenix improved to 17-3, its best record through 20 games since having the same mark in 2004-05.
Timberwolves 121, 76ers 120: D’Angelo Russell scored 35 points and had a decisive steal and assist in the final seconds of the second overtime in visiting Minnesota’s victory over Philadelphia.
The 76ers’ Joel Embiid had 42 points and 14 rebounds in his return to the lineup after missing nine games because of COVID-19 protocols.
Wizards 120, Mavericks 114: Bradley Beal scored 26 points, Kyle Kuzma had 10 of his 22 in the fourth quarter and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored the clinching four points in the closing seconds in Washington’s victory in Dallas.
Knicks 99, Hawks 90: Alec Burks scored 23 points, Evan Fournier added 20 and New York snapped host Atlanta’s sevengame winning streak.
Cavaliers 105, Magic 92: Darius Garland had 26 points and 11 assists as host Cleveland won.
Rockets 146, Hornets 143: Christian Wood had 33 points and 16 rebounds as host Houston beat Charlotte in overtime.
Heat 107, Bulls 104: Kyle Lowry scored 19 points and Jimmy Butler added 18 as visiting Miami beat Chicago.
Jazz 127, Pelicans 105: Donovan Mitchell had 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to help host Utah top New Orleans.