NBA-best Suns overcome 17-point deficit in 4th to beat Jazz

Updated Apr. 9, 2022 12:25 a.m. ET

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Devin Booker scored 33 points and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 111-105 on Friday night.

Deandre Ayton sealed the victory off a pass from Chris Paul with 18.4 seconds left. Ayton had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul had 16 points and 16 assists to help the Suns extend their franchise record with their 64th victory.

Mikal Bridges added 18 points, capping a 14-0 Phoenix run in the fourth quarter to tie it at 98. His dunk and three-point play with 46 seconds remaining gave the Suns a 107-102 lead.

The Jazz didn’t score a field goal – nine straight misses — for almost seven minutes in the fourth quarter. Utah has lost 16 games where it held double-digit leads this season. The Suns outscored the Jazz 36-13 in the fourth quarter.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points for Utah. Slowed by Bridges, Donovan Mitchell had 18 points on 7-of-21 shooting. Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

After both teams had rested stars in their previous games, this one looked like a playoff preview with some brilliant execution at times and extraordinary effort.

Showing why these squads rank at the top in offensive efficiency, there were amazing baskets until the Suns suddenly clamped down.

The Suns long ago wrapped up the top seed in the NBA — and why they look like the team to beat.

The Suns finished with a franchise-record 32 road wins and become the first NBA team since 1969-70 New York Knicks to finish with a better road winning percentage than every other team’s home winning percentage. The Jazz are currently in the fifth spot in the Western Conference but could possible fall to sixth on the final night of the season.

Jordan Clarkson beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to give Utah a 92-75 lead entering the fourth quarter, where the Jazz have been one of weakest finishers among playoff teams and the Suns have been the best.

BOOOOO-ZER HONORED

Carlos Boozer, who was a two-time All-Star with the Jazz, was honored during the third quarter to a standing chorus of Boooos — as was the custom in his 2004-10 Utah career. The Jazz haven’t been back to the Western Conference Finals since Boozer led them there in 2007.

TIP-INS

Suns: A pocket of Suns fans chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" when Booker shot free throws. … Officials reversed a foul call on Danuel House guarding Booker on a jumper in the third quarter, ruling Booker created the contact with a leg kick. … JaVale McGee got a technical in the fourth period.

Jazz: Grammy award winner Olivia Rodrigo, who filmed the High School Musical and her “Drivers License” music video in Utah, sat courtside in a Jazz jersey. … Mitchell led a rousing ovation for House after a number of hustle plays in the third quarter. … The Jazz had 33 free throws attempts to the Suns’ 15 attempts from the line.

UP NEXT

Suns: At Sacramento on Sunday.

Jazz: At Portland on Sunday.