Suns take control in 4th to roll over Grizzlies

Devin Booker scored 36 points in the first three quarters and Jalen Green added 21 points and six boards to lead the visiting Phoenix Suns to a 131-105 victory Monday night over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Booker made 16 of 24 shots and finished with five assists. Green was 9-of-18 shooting.

The Suns (42-33) won their second straight by closing strong. They outscored the Grizzlies 40-16 in the final quarter. Phoenix also was helped by 17 made 3-pointers. The Suns were dominant in the paint, where they scored 68 points.

Memphis (25-50) got 17 points off the bench from Tyler Burton. Cam Spencer scored 16 on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-5 from long range. GG Jackson and Jahmai Mashack contributed 14 apiece. The Grizzlies shot 50.7% but were undone by 23 turnovers that led to 28 points.

The Grizzlies, who have endured an injury-plagued season, used their 41st different starting lineup in 75 games. Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak Saturday with a win over the Chicago Bulls, but lost for the 14th time in 16 games.

Jackson tied the game at 91-91 with a driving baseline dunk to start the fourth quarter before the Suns scored 11 straight to pull away. Phoenix opened the quarter on a 19-4 run for a 110-95 advantage. Connor Gillespie ended the run with a 3-pointer and added two more 3-pointers in the next three minutes for a 118-100 lead with 4:24 to go.

There were six lead changes in the third quarter of the tightly contested game. The Suns led by eight early in the quarter, but the Grizzlies charged back to lead by six at 86-80 with 4:02 remaining following a driving layup by Burton. Booker scored 13 points in the quarter, including banking in a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 91-89 advantage.

Phoenix led 65-61 at the half behind 23 points from Booker and 19 from Green. Memphis remained close in the opening half by shooting 57.5%.

--Field Level Media