PHOENIX SUNS

Devin Booker’s game-winner for Suns downs Clippers

Aug 4, 2020, 3:40 PM | Updated: 3:58 pm

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker directs his teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Los Ange...

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker directs his teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers' Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

(Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Devin Booker scored 35 points with six three-pointers and added eight assists as the Phoenix Suns held off the Los Angeles Clippers, 117-115, to move to 3-0 in the Orlando bubble.

His buzzer shot wasn’t just thanks to a lucky bounce of a loose ball that gave the Suns one last attempt.

It was downright difficult.

Center Deandre Ayton tracked the loose ball caused by a Mikal Bridges steal with seconds expiring and found point guard Ricky Rubio on the wing, who wasted no time giving it to the player that had carried Phoenix all day long.

Booker blew by a trap well above the three-point arc and jump-stopped in his sweet spot from about 15 feet out when encountered by help defense. But even giving the Clippers defenders time, he pivoted twice and hit a fadeaway that put him on his back as the ball went through the rim and the game in favor of Phoenix.

Ayton added 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Rubio contributed another 18.

With the win, Phoenix (29-39) jumped the Sacramento Kings in the standings and sit a game behind the Portland Trail Blazers (30-38) and San Antonio Spurs (29-37), who are in a fight for the No. 9 seed at present.

The Suns are a half-game behind the No. 11 seed New Orleans Pelicans (29-38).

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