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PHOENIX (AP) — Josh Okogie had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Mikal Bridges added 22 points, and the shorthanded Phoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers 112-107 on Saturday night for a second straight win.
Indiana had a chance to equalize on the final possession, but Buddy Hield missed a rushing three-pointer with two seconds remaining. The Pacers lost despite TJ McConnell completing his triple-double of 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Phoenix and their ragtag roster led 87-83 in the fourth quarter. The Suns were again missing a large portion of their staring lineup, which includes the All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, starting with his center Deandre Ayton due to non-COVID-19 illness. I missed
Both teams struggled to score in the fourth quarter.
The Suns took a 102-94 lead with 2 minutes and 49 seconds remaining, but the Pacers were 4 on one possession when Phoenix’s Saven Lee was called for a flagrant foul after elbowing Hield in the face. Earned points. Hield hit both free throws and Benedict Maturin made a layup after the Pacers held possession for a flagrant foul.
The Pacers eventually pulled 104-101, but Phoenix’s Ish Wainwright responded with a corner 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining to give the Suns a cushion.
The Suns won despite shooting 41.8% from the field. The Pacers’ shooting percentage was just 37.5%.
Indiana were without leading scorer Tyrese Haliburton, who missed six games in a row. The Pacers are on a seven-game losing streak.
The Suns had a 59-57 lead at halftime. Bridges led the Suns with 14 points, while Bismack Biyombo had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Maturin, who played for the University of Arizona during his college days, scored his 12 points with the Pacers.
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Pacers: Halliburton wore the jersey of San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy while sitting on the bench. Haliburton and Purdy both played for Iowa State.
Suns: Paul, Booker, Ayton, F Cam Johnson, G Cam Payne and G Landry Shamet all played. … salute to his team, the Suns, who won the Western Conference Championship in 1992-93. They lost to the Bulls in the NBA Finals in six games, which was attended by several players including 11-time All-Star Charles He Barkley, who was MVP that season. … ushered in the 49th consecutive sell-out crowd.
next
Pacers: Host Chicago on Tuesday night.
The Suns: Host Memphis on Sunday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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