Pascal Siakam, Indiana, extends lead in 3rd quarter

The Phoenix Suns (14-11) face the Indiana Pacers (12-15) on Thursday, airing on Arizona’s Family (Chapter 3 TV) at 7 p.m

This is the Suns’ second home game in three home games and the first of a home-and-away series against the Pacers. Phoenix returns from a three-day break following a 116-109 victory over Portland on Sunday, the Suns’ second straight victory.

Bradley Beal returns after missing the Suns’ last two games due to swelling in his right knee. Their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Beal will play their 11th game together this season. Phoenix is 8-2 when the Big 3 are on the floor together. The team is currently in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

The Pacers are led by All-Star Tyrese Hailburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. They are in eighth place in the East and have also won two in a row.

Find live updates on scores, highlights and statistics during the Suns-Pacers game on azcentral.

Siakam, Pacers move to No. 3, Booker out

Siakam’s 11 points in the third quarter (20 total) helped extend Indiana’s 97-83 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Booker (17 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal) left the game with a so-called groin strain. The Suns confirmed he will not be returning.

Durant added 11 to his 21 points in the third and Bradley Beal had 14 for the Suns.

Indiana increased Phoenix’s deficit to 16, its largest lead of the game during that period. After the Suns trailed by three after eight minutes, the Pacers went on a 15-4 run to increase the Suns’ largest deficit to 14 at 4:28.

Big 3, Suns end 2nd quarter on the run

Royce O’Neale (nine points, three rebounds) went 3-0, cutting Indiana’s lead to 60-59 at the break. This capped off a 12:5 run by the Suns, sparked by their Big 3 in the second quarter.

Durant scored eight of his 10 points, Beal added five of his eight points and Devin Booker had a game-high 16.

The Suns’ offense was sluggish and had trouble controlling the ball. They had 10 turnovers, which the Pacers converted into 18 points.

The Suns recorded their 10th turnover when Obi Toppin (13 Pacers points) picked off Beal at 5:23. Haliburton (seven points, five assists) picked up the loose ball and hit it to the wide-open Toppin, who completed his signature Eastbay dunk. Toppin jumped and switched the ball from left to right hand before punching it in, extending the Pacers’ lead to 52-45.

The Pacers live up to their name, outscoring the Suns in fast break points 14-2. So far, however, the Suns have dominated with 24:14.

Booker is hot, the Suns defense has problems in the 1st quarter

Booker scored 12 points (4 of 7) to lead the way, but Phoenix trailed Indiana 32-29 after the opening period.

The Suns had an eight-point lead thanks to a triple from Bradley Beal just after the nine-minute mark. Then the Pacers went on a 17-2 run to take a 24-17 lead, their largest lead. The Suns had five turnovers and gave up nine points.

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Pascal Siakam, Indiana, extends lead in 3rd quarter

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