BBNBA: Devin Booker starting to look like old self, drops 37 in win
Devin Booker was on a roll and couldn’t be stopped Wednesday night in Charlotte. The Phoenix Suns cruised to a 105-91 victory behind Booker’s blistering 37-point night. It marked Booker’s highest-scoring outing since his return from a groin injury that kept him out for more than a month.
We got a glimpse of the man who can score at will on Wednesday night. Booker, who looks back to 100%, played 33 minutes in Charlotte. Keep in mind that this ex-Wildcat gem has dropped 50 or more points in two games this season. The Suns are 2-1 since the All-Star hiatus, but the momentum only continues to build in The Valley. Booker’s 37-point entree came with a mouth-watering appetizer of a Kevin Durant debut. A 34-29 Phoenix squad has earth-shattering expectations moving forward.
D Book is averaging 26.5 PPG, which sounds like All-Star numbers, but Booker was left out of the squad. His injury did come at a difficult time, however, I struggle to wonder how a player of his caliber was left off the NBA’s best. Despite the noise, Booker is still balling. He was dunking with ease and resorting back to his trademark fade in Wednesday’s win.
However, assists are what aided Booker to a Suns’ milestone in Charlotte. Booker moved to seventh all-time in assists for the Suns as the third quarter closed. He finished the game with seven assists and six boards. One of BBNBA’s finest continues to impress.
On the other bench, Nick Richards had a rather quiet night. Richards finished with two points and two assists in the loss. PJ Washington Jr. did not play due to a foot injury.
BBNBA battle in Miami
Tyrese Maxey didn’t disappoint after being back in the starting lineup for the Philadelphia 76ers. Maybe it’s that Miami heat or Maxey’s sniper-like instinct from deep, but goodness he was on fire last night. Maxey led all scorers with 27 points in 37 minutes played.
He shot a crisp 10-17 from the field and led Philly to a 119-96 victory in the Sunshine State. The Sixers are back in the win column after dropping their last two. They currently sit at 41-21 and are flirting with the top spot in the East, but are still 4.5 games back.
Philly took control of this game in the second quarter when they outscored Miami 37-15. After that, it was foot on the gas for Doc Rivers’ squad. Maxey made sure of that with a few triples down the stretch.
Bam Adebayo had a normal-for-him night with 20 points and eight rebounds. Tyler Herro has cooled off after his 33-point Saturday night. Herro finished with 11 points and six assists in Miami’s loss.
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While the 76ers prove to be juggernauts in the East, the same can’t be said for Miami. The Heat have struggled to find consistent form all season long. Adebayo has been spectacular for them this campaign, but I can’t sense that everything is clicking in the 305. Miami is currently seventh in the East and only two games above .500. Time’s ticking for a team that I think would love to avoid the likes of Milwaukee, Boston, or Philly in the first round of the playoffs.
Not to be forgotten
Hamidou Diallo is on a little bit of a roll as of late. The Pistons fell short Wednesday night 117-115 to the Bulls, but that didn’t come at the expense of Diallo getting his buckets. He finished with 19 points off the bench and recorded 28 minutes of action. Diallo went for 23 vs. Charlotte on Monday night — safe to say he must be feeling quite good as of late.
Despite not starting a single game this season, Diallo is being shown a significant role in the Motor City. He’s one of the best options that this young Detroit team has off the bench. While nobody expected the Pistons to be good this year, there is some promise within this young lineup. A Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey duo with the scoring threats of Diallo? Sign me up.
Elsewhere, checking in on the surging New York Knicks should be fun. The Knicks are scalding, winners of their last seven. Basketball on Broadway is proving to be a worthwhile ticket with New York at 37-27 and in fifth place in the East. Now how about that BBNBA basketball on Broadway?
Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley both kept their impressive play going on Wednesday night when the Knicks throttled cross-town rival Brooklyn 142-118. Randle added 21 points, eight boards, and eight assists. Quickley entered from his usual bench spot but still dropped 15 points in 22 minutes. Efficiency. The Knicks are a scoring machine with Randle coming in as the manufacturer. Randle cashed in four 3-pointers on eight attempts — a slight reminder after a rather disappointing 3-Point Contest that Randle is still cash from deep.
Other BBNBA notes
- Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt contributed to the Lakers’ 123-117 win in Oklahoma City. Gabriel was a menace on the glass, finishing with 10 boards and five points in Anthony Davis‘ absence. Vanderbilt, who has looked the part of a defensive wizard since being traded, had a solid night as well. Vando finished with seven points and four rebounds in the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t feature for OKC due to health and safety protocols.
- To more quiet nights in the Association. Former Kentucky teammates Shaedon Sharpe and TyTy Washington Jr. both had slim to add in each respective loss. Sharpe had two points in Portland’s loss to New Orleans, while Washington Jr. had no points in Houston’s loss to Memphis.
2/28/23 Statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 105-91 W @ CHA | 37 | 15-26 (3-7) | 6 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +9 | 33 |
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 119-96 W @ MIA | 27 | 10-17 (4-7) | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +11 | 37 |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 142-118 W vs. BKN | 21 | 7-15 (4-8) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +27 | 35 |
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 119-96 L vs. PHI | 20 | 8-13 (0-0) | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -17 | 29 |
| Hamidou Diallo (DET) | 117-115 L vs. CHI | 19 | 7-13 (0-2) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +14 | 28 |
| Immanuel Quickley (NYK) | 142-118 W vs. BKN | 15 | 6-12 (2-5) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 22 |
| Tyler Herro (MIA) | 119-96 L vs. PHI | 11 | 4-15 (1-5) | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 29 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL) | 123-117 W @ OKC | 7 | 2-5 (0-1) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 22 |
| Wenyen Gabriel (LAL) | 123-117 W @ OKC | 5 | 2-7 (0-0) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 22 |
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 105-91 L vs. PHX | 2 | 1-2 (0-0) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -12 | 19 |
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 121-110 L vs. NOP | 2 | 1-6 (0-2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 14 |
| TyTy Washington Jr. (HOU) | 113-99 L vs. MEM | 0 | 0-5 (0-4) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
| PJ Washington Jr. (CHA) | 105-91 L vs. PHX | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 123-117 W @ OKC | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 123-117 L vs. LAL | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Olivier Sarr (OKC) | 123-117 L vs. LAL | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kevin Knox II (POR) | 121-110 L vs. NOP | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nerlens Noel (DET) | 117-115 L vs. CHI | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Tonight in the NBA
7:00: Raptors @ Wizards
7:30 (TNT): 76ers (Maxey) @ Mavericks
8:30: Pacers (Jackson) @ Spurs (Johnson)
10:00 (TNT): Clippers (Boston Jr.) @ Warriors
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