Devin Booker, NBA's Last Two Minute Report, divided on final game

MIAMI – Devin Booker wanted to see the NBA’s “Last Two Minute Report” on this topic.

He probably won’t agree with this.

The report revealed that the Pelicans’ Herb Jones made “minor contact” with the Phoenix Suns’ star guard’s right arm on the final play of Thursday’s 126-124 loss to the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (5-18). made it the right non-call.

“Jones (NOP) extends his hand toward the ball and minor contact occurs with Booker’s (PHX) right arm after he returns his dribble to his left hand.”

Suns guard Grayson Allen said after the game that he thought Jones was “holding” Booker’s arm, but added, “That’s good defense, too, because no one saw it.”

The Suns (12-9) continue their three-game road trip on Saturday against the Miami Heat (10-10) in their first straight game. They crown the game on Sunday against the Orlando Magic (16-8).

Phoenix has already played both teams at home, beating the Heat 115-112 and losing to the Magic 109-99.

The play in question Thursday centers on Booker, who scored a team-high 28 points on 6 of 20 shooting.

Booker received an inbound pass from Royce O’Neale at the top of the 3-point line.

Instead of continuing to the right, Booker tried to cross Jones but lost the ball. Booker got the ball back, took the 3-pointer, but Jones blocked the shot and Trey Murphy III denied it too.

After the game, Booker felt in hindsight that he should have continued, but thought Jones would steer him away from that path. When crossing back to the left, “marginal contact” occurred.

“I should have been given a chance,” Booker said. “I could have done better, but we’ll see what the two-minute report says.”

The Last Two Minute Report also said that there was either the correct call or non-call on all 17 plays reviewed, including Jones’ final block against Booker when Murphy III charged.

“Both Jones (NOP) and Murphy III (NOP) are in a legal guard position during Booker’s (PHX) jump shot attempt. “Murphy III jumps vertically and absorbs the contact initiated by Booker.”

The Pelicans ended their nine-game break snapping a two-game winning streak for the Suns.

“They just guarded it well,” Suns rookie Oso Ighodaro said. “They swapped everything. Herb set to Book. A lot of contact, but we still have to play through it. The game doesn’t come down to the last play.”

The Suns gave up 45 points in the third quarter and trailed 99-93 after building a 63-54 lead at halftime. Brandon Ingram scored 21 points in the third half alone, fueling the comeback. New Orleans shot 7 of 9 from 3 in the quarter.

“That’s what stands out to me,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game. “We have to be able to defend for 48 minutes. We have to do it for four quarters. Obviously it’s thanks to them. Ingram had a great quarter. They were hot. That’s obviously the game.” turned around.

The Suns were without Kevin Durant as he will miss the three-game road trip with a sprained left ankle he suffered in the second quarter of Tuesday’s win over San Antonio.

“Kevin is doing well,” Budenholzer said before Thursday’s game. “I don’t think the pictures revealed anything serious. A sprained ankle. We hope it will be relatively short. We’ll just have to wait and see how things go in everyday life or when we get back from this trip.” .”

The Suns have four days between Sunday’s game against the Magic and the following game on Dec. 13 in Utah.

“There will be a little window there, see how he copes with it,” Budenholzer continued. “Just address him appropriately.”

The Suns are now 1-7 without Durant, 11-2 with him. They went 1-6 while he was sidelined with a left calf strain.

“Our problem is that we try to play like Kevin is there,” said Suns star Jusuf Nurkic. “There have to be adjustments when the rest of us play basketball when certain people are out.”

Rookie Ryan Dunn (left ankle soreness) and Nurkic (right calf contusion) missed Thursday’s game as Dunn was previously listed as probable cause. Budenholzer said Dunn injured his ankle against the Spurs.

Both participated in Friday’s optional practice along with Bol Bol, Ighodaro and two-way player TyTy Washington Jr.

“I’m feeling really good at the moment,” Nurkic said. “I’m working my ass off to get back. I’m just trying to get well as quickly as possible.”

Nurkic is scheduled for a reevaluation next week as he has missed Phoenix’s last three games.

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Devin Booker, NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, divided on final game

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