Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (1) and Deandre Ayton (22) defend against Cleveland Cavaliers’ Cedi Osman (16) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland. Phoenix won 134-118 in overtime.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Cedi Osman, right, his fouled by Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in overtime of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland. Phoenix won 134-118 in overtime.
Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love, center, tries to get past Phoenix Suns’ Torrey Craig, left, and Deandre Ayton, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (1) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton, left, drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns’ Dario Saric in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff yells instructions to players in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland. Phoenix won 134-118 in overtime.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao watches in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland. Phoenix won 134-118 in overtime.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro (35) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton (22) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, left, drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Phoenix Suns’ Jevon Carter, left, fouls Cleveland Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, right, passes against Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Not themselves for long stretches and struggling with a team going nowhere, the Suns finally showed up in overtime.
“We stayed the course,” Chris Paul said. “We came out and put the game away.”
Devin Booker scored 31 points, Paul added 23 and 16 assists and Phoenix scored the first 15 points of OT to outlast the under-manned Cleveland Cavaliers 134-118 for their fifth straight win, keeping the Suns even with Utah atop the Western Conference standings.
Mikal Bridges made two 3-pointers, dunked, had a block and assist in the opening minutes of overtime and Phoenix outscored Cleveland 20-4 in the extra five minutes.
“We punched them first, jumped out to that lead and kept going,” said Bridges, who scored 22 and made four 3-pointers.
The Suns (47-18) are tied with Jazz for the West’s best record.
Phoenix let a late lead in regulation slip away to Cleveland, which was missing six players, including starting point guard Darius Garland, with injuries but battled one of the NBA’s best teams for 50 minutes before wilting.
“We ran out of gas,” said Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who only had a seven-man rotation. “Our guys gave us what they had. Phoenix made us pay for some mistakes early in OT.”
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.