In their second meeting of the NBA season, Devin Booker scored fifty-two points against the New Orleans Pelicans, and the visiting Phoenix Suns tightened the Western Conference playoff race with a 124-111 victory on Monday night.
With 20 more points from Kevin Durant, 19 rebounds and points from Jusuf Nurkic, and 13 points from Bradley Beal, the Suns closed the gap on the Pelicans to one game for the sixth and final conference position, which is assured a trip to the playoffs. With one game left, the Suns, who had upset the home Pelicans 123-109 when Booker had initially scored 52 points on January 19, had secured the season series. On Sunday, the clubs will square off in Phoenix.
The NBA-Leading Celtics, Who Finished 4-2 Had 20 Points More From Kristaps Porzingis
For New Orleans, Trey Murphy III scored 21, CJ McCollum scored 15, and Zion Williamson scored 30 points. Hornets 104, Celtics 118. Boston won in Charlotte to cap off a strong road trip led by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 25 points, and Sam Hauser, who hit seven 3-pointers off the bench. The NBA-leading Celtics, who finished 4-2 on their final multi-game trip of the regular season, had 20 points more from Kristaps Porzingis. Outside the arc, they outscored the Hornets 57-39. Charlotte, which lost for the eighth time in nine games, was led by starting guard Grant Williams with 23 points and forward Miles Bridges with 26 points. The Trail Blazers 103, Magic 104
