The man you don’t expect, Josh Okogie, determines like no other in the suffered home success of the Phoenix Suns (38-32) over Orlando (28-42). A decisive triple 5′ from the end, that of 104-101 for the hosts, and an even more decisive block on Paolo Banchero’s triple attempt (18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) in the Magic’s last ditch effort to tie it up. The Suns, still without Kevin Durant, return to winning ways after three defeats in a row, with 19 points signed by Devin Booker, 16 points and 7 assists by Chris Paul and 18 points, shooting 7/12 from the field, with 5 assists for an excellent Cameron Payne coming off the bench. Important victory for Monty Williams’ men, complex in how it was achieved but demonstrative as regards the strong character of the team.
Phoenix: Booker 19 (7/17, 2/5 from three, 3/3 lugs), Payne 18, Ayton/Paul 16. Rebounds: Ayton 7. Assists: Paul 7.
Orlando: Fultz 25 (11/17, 0/1 from three, 3/3 tl), Banchero 18, Anthony 17. Rebounds: F. Wagner 10. Assists: Fultz 9.
Basketball, Nba: Okogie exalts Phoenix. Outside shots of Indiana, Denver and Sacramento
