BBNBA: Devin Booker, Suns cruise to Game 1 victory

A trio of former Wildcats picked up their first win of the postseason on Sunday. Devin Booker helped lead the Suns to a double-digit win while the boys down in Miami needed just a little bit of help. Let’s dive in.

Sunday’s Results

(1) Heat 115 – (8) Hawks 91 (MIA leads 1-0)
(2) Celtics 115 – (7) Nets 114 (BOS leads 1-0)
(3) Bucks 93 – (6) Bulls 86 (MIL leads 1-0)
(1) Suns 110 – (8) Pelicans 99 (PHX leads 1-0)

Booker and Paul lead the way in Phoenix

The redemption tour is off and running for Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. Looking to reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year, the Suns handled their business in their opening game by securing a 110-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Sunday’s game was a tale of two halves. Devin Booker came out firing, leading Phoenix to a double-digit lead at halftime. He finished with 25 points on 8-19 shooting while also adding eight rebounds and four assists.

Chris Paul took over late in the win, finishing with a game-high 30 points on 12-16 shooting from the field while dishing out 10 assists and grabbing seven boards. The first action in Phoenix’s redemption run towards the Finals is off to a roaring success.

"You gotta stay the course. As soon as you let up, teams will make a run on you."@CP3 joined the Inside crew after his big performance in Game 1. pic.twitter.com/DVZ45mFqx6

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 18, 2022

Former ‘Cats struggle in Miami win

Might as well get the stinker out of the way first, right?

Overall, the Miami Heat walk away happy with their opening performance in the playoffs. The Heat grabbed a 24-point win over Atlanta and reminded everybody why they got the one seed to begin with. That’s with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro struggling on the night.

Adebayo only took five shots in his 28 minutes of action on Sunday, missing four of them. He finished with six points and six rebounds while turning the ball over four times. It’s an uncharacteristic night from the big man but shouldn’t worry anybody as the playoffs roll on.

Herro just could not get his shot going tonight. The guard went 3-11 from the field on the night and 0-4 from deep. He finished with six points and five assists while also turning the ball over five times. The Heat ended up getting the win so it doesn’t matter, but these two are going to have to get back to their form if Miami has aspirations of making a deep playoff run.

We have to ask too: is Kevin Knox a playoff performer? We say this in total jest, but the former ‘Cat put up 10 points in five minutes off the bench for the Hawks.

Statistics

Player	Result	Points	FG (3PA)	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers	Minutes	+/-
Devin Booker (PHX)	110-99 W vs. NOP	25	8-19 (4-8)	4	8	1	0	1	41	7
Kevin Knox (ATL)	115-91 L @ MIA	10	3-5 (2-4)	2	0	1	0	3	5	6
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	115-91 W vs. ATL	6	1-5	6	5	1	1	4	28	27
Tyler Herro (MIA)	115-91 W vs. ATL	6	3-11 (0-4)	5	5	2	0	5	23	6

Today in the NBA

7:30 p.m. (TNT) (5) Raptors @ (4) 76ers (Maxey) (PHI leads 1-0)

8:30 p.m. (NBA TV) (5) Jazz @ (4) Mavericks (UTA leads 1-0)

10:00 p.m. (TNT) (6) Nuggets @ (3) Warriors (GSW leads 1-0)