Undermanned Suns Crush Hornets; Jalen Smith, Bismack Biyombo Deliver for Phoenix in Rout : NBA : Sports World News

The Phoenix Suns moved to inside a half-game of the Golden State Warriors within the Western Conference standings after recording an emphatic 133-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, January 2. It was an enormous bounce-back win for the Suns, who had misplaced three of their earlier 4 video games.

The Suns managed to tug off the victory regardless of being shorthanded on this encounter. They are within the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak, with 4 of their gamers at the moment within the league’s well being and security protocols.

Shorthanded Suns begin robust towards Hornets

Those who examined constructive for the coronavirus have been beginning heart Deandre Ayton, backup heart JaVale McGee, beginning ahead Jae Crowder, and reserve ahead Abdel Nader. Phoenix’s teaching workers was not spared, with head coach Monty Williams additionally sidelined due to COVID-19.

After the Suns’ morning shootaround, performing coach Kevin Young addressed their lack of physicality in Friday’s 123-108 loss to the Boston Celtics. The Suns’ gamers took Young’s message to coronary heart as they received off to a terrific begin towards the Hornets. They raced to a 36-27 lead after the primary quarter and prolonged their benefit to 73-47 on the halftime interval.

Devin Booker performed an enormous function within the Suns’ first-half explosion, scoring 20 factors throughout that interval. The Suns as a unit have been deadly from past the arc, flattening 10 of their 22 3-point makes an attempt. They continued their scoring assault within the second half, extending their result in 43 factors at one stage. Phoenix completed the sport with 17 3-pointers. The Suns additionally dominated the rebounding battle, recording a 52-35 benefit over the Hornets within the boards’ division.

It was not simply Booker who excelled for the Suns on this contest. Chris Paul offered the veteran presence within the Phoenix backcourt, racking up seven factors, six rebounds, and a game-high 16 assists. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson additionally thrived of their beginning roles, including 15 and 14 factors, respectively.

Related Article: Fred VanVleet Leads Toronto Raptors To Win Over New York Knicks; Randle Out With COVID-19

Smith, Biyombo step up massive time for Suns

However, the evening belonged to Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo, who delivered high quality minutes for the undermanned Suns. Smith stepped up massive time within the absence of Ayton, tying a career-high with 19 factors. He additionally was a drive down low, racking up 12 rebounds to put up a double-double.

The greater shock was Biyombo, who performed his first recreation of the 2021 season. The Suns signed the veteran massive man to handle their participant scarcity, and he duly delivered in his season debut, scoring 11 factors and grabbing six rebounds in 18 minutes of motion.

The Suns improved to 28-8 this season with the win over the Hornets. Charlotte remained in seventh place within the Eastern Conference standings with a 19-18 slate. The Hornets struggled with their outdoors shot towards the Suns, lacking 26 of their 35 makes an attempt from deep.

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