Booker scores 30 as Suns force 25 turnovers, beat Hornets 101-96

Devin Booker scored 30 points and the Phoenix Suns forced 25 turnovers to beat the Charlotte Hornets 101-96 on Thursday, November 12, after Charlotte rallied from 17 down.

Booker made 12 of 20 shots and added 7 assists and three steals. His two free throws in the last 10 seconds put the game out of reach.

Phoenix (5-6) led 87-86 when the final five minutes began and outscored Charlotte 14-10 the rest of the way. The game had 18 lead changes and was tied six times.

The Suns won the first quarter 28-22 and led 48-31 midway through the second. Charlotte's largest lead of the night, five points, came in the first quarter.

Charlotte (4-8), playing without Brandon Miller because of a right hip strain, won the third quarter 26-17 and stayed within a possession for much of the fourth. Phoenix took the fourth 29-20.

Royce O'Neale's free throw in the final half-minute cut the Suns' lead to 97-95. Miles Bridges made two free throws with 18.4 seconds left for 99-95, and Booker made two more with 9.9 seconds left for 101-95. Moussa Diabate's free throw closed the scoring.

Coby White led Charlotte with 21 points in 20 minutes. Naz Reid scored 16 on 6-of-18 shooting, and Diabate grabbed 13 rebounds. The Hornets' bench scored 35 points, 13 from Christian Anderson and 11 from Grant Williams.

Charlotte grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and shot slightly better from the field, but kept giving the ball away. Phoenix had 11 steals and committed only seven turnovers.

Dillon Brooks added 15 points for the Suns, and Collin Gillespie scored 13 off the bench. Bridges finished with 11 points and made all five of his free throws.

Up next

Hornets: at the LA Clippers on Sunday, November 15.

Suns: home against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, November 15.