The Phoenix Suns (5-5) took down the Los Angeles Clippers (3-6) for the second straight time earning a solid 114-103 win on November 9.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game.
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Devin Booker PHX SG 21 PTS | 10 REB | 9 AST | 41.5 FPS
Booker had some trouble on offense, putting up his second-lowest scoring game of the season after averaging 30.3 points on 50.8% shooting from the field over his previous nine games. However, he compensated with his best rebounding performance and also recorded his fourth game this season with at least nine assists
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Ivica Zubac LAC C 21 PTS | 15 REB | 4 AST | 42.0 FPS
Big Zu finished with back-to-back 20-point, 10-rebound performances against the Suns in a highly efficient 18-for-26 shooting from the field and 8-of-10 from the line. This was the third time this season that he led the team in scoring and the seventh time in rebounding.
SCORING MACHINES:
Mark Williams PHX C 19 PTS | 7-9 FG | 5-5 FT | 30.2 FPS
Mark tallied his third-highest scoring game of the season, but his rebounding dipped to a season-low six rebounds after averaging 13 in his previous two games.
John Collins LAC PF 19 PTS | 8-12 FG | 2-3 3PT | 29.8 FPS
Collins has scored in double-digits for the seventh time in eight games and also set a new season best in points.
STAT SPECIALIST:
James Harden LAC PG 13 PTS | 3-4 FT | 13 AST | 29.5 FPS
Harden tallied his second-highest assist total of the season and also recorded his fourth double-double. However, he struggled offensively, shooting just 4-of-15 from the field, including 2-of-10 from deep — his worst shooting game this season.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Nic Batum LAC PF 3 REB | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 19.6 FPS
Batum started the season averaging 2.6 stocks but went five straight games without one before getting back on track today and leading the team in blocks.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Grayson Allen PHX SG 14 PTS | 5-12 FG | 4-7 3PT | 19.5 FPS
Allen took over in the fourth, knocking down 3 straight three-pointers to keep his team in the lead. He’s been red-hot this month, averaging 16.2 points while hitting four three-pointers in four consecutive games.
THE X-FACTOR:
Dilon Brooks PHX SF 16 PTS | 3 AST | 2 STL | 27.9 FPS
Brooks missed the last six games due to a groin injury but made an immediate impact in his return. He delivered his most efficient scoring performance and posted a season-best 6-of-7 showing from the line.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Royce O’neale PHX SF 12 PTS | 7 REB | 5 AST | 32.9 FPS
O’Neale came up big in back-to-back games against the Clippers. In their previous meeting, he knocked down 5-of-10 three-pointers for 17 points. This time, he delivered a well-rounded performance, finishing with his second-best marks in rebounds and assists this season.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Derrick Jones Jr. 7 PTS | 3-5 FT | 1 AST
Jones Jr. had scored in double figures in each of his previous four games, but he struggled offensively this time, shooting just 28.6% from the field and missing all four of his attempts from three.
