MANILA – Phoenix Suns dominated the Los Angeles Lakers following a 113-100 triumph in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference first-round series on Thursday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Devin Booker recorded eight triples for season-high 47 points with 11 rebounds, while Jae Crowder connected six triples and ceased with 18 markers for the Suns.
Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson tallied 10 points each, while Chris Paul dished 12 assists to go with eight points as the Suns wrapped up the best-of-seven first-round series at 4-2.
The Suns – which entered the NBA playoffs for the first time in 11 years – will battle Denver Nuggets, which ousted Portland Trail Blazers in six games, in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.
The Suns ruled the opening round with Booker converting 16 points for a 27-10 start. Booker and Cameron Payne added more trifectas, making the lead swell to 36-14 after the first quarter.
Phoenix’s lead climbed to its largest at 48-19 in the second period on a three-point play by Bridges before Los Angeles clipped the deficit to 62-41 at the half.
Los Angeles rallied in the third period to cut Phoenix’s lead to 12 points via hits from Dennis Schroder, but conversions from Booker gave Phoenix some breathing room at 89-76.
The Lakers made its last push in the fourth quarter to come to within 101-90 on six straight points by Talen Horton-Tucker, but two late triples by Crowder secured the victory for the Suns.
LeBron James top-scored with 29 points with nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 and 19 points, respectively, for the Lakers.
Lakers star Anthony Davis tried to play through his groin injury but only lasted for five minutes and ended up scoreless, while Alex Caruso left the game in the second quarter due to an ankle injury.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 113 – Booker 47, Crowder 18, Bridges 10, Johnson 10, Paul 8, Ayton 8, Payne 7, Craig 3, Kaminsky 2, Carter 0.
LOS ANGELES 100 – James 29, Schroder 20, Caldwell-Pope 19, Matthews 12, Horton-Tucker 12, Morris 2, Harrell 2, Caruso 2, Kuzma 2, Gasol 0, Davis 0, Dudley 0, McLemore 0, McKinnie 0.
Quarterscores:
36-14, 62-41, 89-76, 113-100./PN
