BBNBA: Devin Booker drops 58 in Suns win

Devin Booker scored more points by himself than the Kentucky Wildcats did as a team on Saturday as he put up 58 in the Phoenix Suns’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Of course, Kentucky mustered a puny 53 in total against UCLA. That is either really impressive or really disheartening depending on which way you want to look at it. The right answer is probably both.

Booker’s 58 marks the most points ever scored in the Footprint Center, the Suns’ arena that has undergone a slew of name changes since it first opened in 1992. The previous record belonged to Gilbert Arenas, who dropped 54 in 2006.

Booker shot an incredibly efficient 21-35 from the field, including 6-12 from deep, but ironically left five points on the table at the free throw line. The career 87% free throw shooter was just 10-15 from the charity stripe, channeling his inner Kentucky in that regard.

This is the second time Book eclipsed the 50-point mark this season, having scored 51 against the Bulls back in November. The timing couldn’t have been better for the Suns, who used Booker’s scoring output to erase a 24-point second-half deficit and secure their second-straight win. The former first-place team in the West is trying to find its swagger again, coming off a recent five-game losing skid during which time Booker averaged just 14 points per game (or didn’t play).

After the game, Booker said, “Once I get it going a little bit, shooting over a hand is the right play.”

Chris Paul agreed. “It’s unreal. I’ve had the opportunity to play with a lot of greats — Blake Griffin, James Harden, and now Book. Sheesh, you just try not to get caught watching.”

Herro, Adebayo help propel Heat to victory

While Booker put on his masterpiece performance in the desert, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo gave Mexico a show of their own. The Heat bested the San Antonio Spurs 111-101 as part of the NBA’s Mexico City games, giving Miami their fourth straight win.

Bam had his usual 22 points and 13 rebounds while Herro put up a casual 21 points, seven assists, and six boards. The Heat also have Jimmy Butler back, who led all scorers with 26, as they look to return to the top-tier caliber where they sat most of last season.

On the opposite side of the scoreboard, Keldon Johnson did what he could for the San Antonio Spurs, but his team-leading 22 points were not enough to overcome the Heat. The Spurs have now lost seven of their last 10 games and appear to be settling in near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, as Johnson appears to need more help than he is currently getting.

Other BBNBA Notes

• John Wall received his third start of the season for the LA Clippers in their win over his former squad, the Washington Wizards. Wall had an off-shooting night, finishing with nine points on just 2-10 from the field, but dished out a team-high six assists. Brandon Boston Jr. pitched in two points for the Clippers as well.
• TyTy Washington played 15 minutes for the Houston Rockets in their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and put up six points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Kentucky fans miss him. Shaedon Sharpe scored four points for Portland; Kentucky fans do not miss him.
• Jarred Vanderbilt failed to get on the scoreboard in the Utah Jazz’s blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He did, however, lead his team in rebounding with six in just 21 minutes of action.

10/17/2022 Statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	MIN	+/-
Devin Booker (PHX)	118 – 114 W vs. NOP	58	21-35 (6-12)	6	5	0	0	2	42	+11
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	111-101 W vs. SAS	22	11-18 (0-0)	13	3	1	0	4	36	+29
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	101-111 L vs. MIA	22	6-14 (3-5)	2	3	1	0	2	33	+1
Tyler Herro (MIA)	111-101 W vs. SAS	21	6-16 (3-9)	6	7	2	0	4	38	+11
John Wall (LAC)	102-93 W vs. WAS	9	2-10 (1-4)	3	6	0	1	3	28	+1
TyTy Washington (HOU)	95-107 L vs. POR	6	3-6 (0-2)	3	2	1	0	0	15	+6
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	107-95 W vs. HOU	4	2-7 (0-2)	3	1	1	1	1	21	-12
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	102-93 W vs. WAS	2	1-1 (0-0)	1	0	1	0	0	7	+6
Jarred Vanderbilt (UTA)	97-123 L vs. MIL	0	0-4 (0-1)	6	3	1	1	1	21	-5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	115-109 W vs. MEM	DNP – Back

Today in the NBA

3:00: Magic @ Celtics
5:00: Knicks (Randle, Quickley) @ Pacers (Jackson)
6:00: Nets @ Pistons (Knox, Noel, Diallo)
6:00: Warriors @ Raptors
7:00: Bulls @ Timberwolves (Towns)
8:00: Hornets (PJ Washington, Richards) @ Nuggets (Murray)
9:30: Wizards @ Lakers (Davis, Gabriel)