Booker, Durant Shine as Suns Handle Cavs

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant propelled the Phoenix Suns to victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Apr 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribble against Cleveland / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- On a night when the Phoenix Suns needed production from their stars - they got it.

The Suns led wire-to-wire in their 122-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Devin Booker paced all scorers with 40 points and eight assists while Kevin Durant chipped in 32 points with six rebounds and seven assists.

Though Bradley Beal's numbers weren't flashy, he still posted a respectable 7-6-7 stat line in the victory. The Suns shot over 50% from the field (50.6%) and three-point land (54.5%).

Phoenix improves to 45-31 on the season and temporarily puts them as the No. 6 seed in the West with six games left on their schedule.

With Grayson Allen (hip soreness) out, the Suns turned to Royce O'Neale in the starting lineup. O'Neale's 17 points was the highest he's scored in the last 16 games.

The Suns jumped out to a 34-20 lead after one quarter of play thanks to 13 early points from Booker, who continued his hot shooting from Monday's 52-point outing against the New Orleans Pelicans. Phoenix also benefited from Cleveland's 2-11 poor shooting from downtown.

The Cavaliers couldn't shake their sloppy style of play in the second as Phoenix's lead climbed to nearly 30 points before the first half came to a close. Cleveland didn't have a single scorer in double digits while the Suns featured four players all having 12 points or more.

True to Suns fashion, Phoenix took their foot off the gas to begin the third quarter as the Cavaliers opened action with a 19-2 run before Frank Vogel called a timeout. That break proved to be pivotal for Phoenix, as the Suns found their footing and saw their lead extended back to 20 points. Despite their strong start to the quarter, Cleveland trailed 98-77 heading into the final period of play.

Both squads went on respective runs to begin the fourth, though the Suns managed to keep Cleveland at bay until the final buzzer sounded.

It was a much needed victory for a Suns team that has struggled to maintain consistency in recent form. Winning the first of a four-game home stand against the East's third-seeded team in the fashion they did proved there's still scary potential for Vogel's squad.

The Suns are back in action on Friday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.