PHOENIX (AP) – Mikal Bridges scored 29 points, Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns beat the Toronto Raptors 114-106 on Monday night.
The Suns won for the sixth time in seven games, despite missing All-Star guard Devin Booker for the entire stretch. No team led by more than 10 points in a contest that featured 16 lead changes and five ties.
The Raptors trailed by nine to start the second half but scored 12 straight points in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter to take a 65–62 lead. Toronto held an 84–82 advantage in the fourth.
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The game remained tight from that point forward until Phoenix pulled away in the final minutes. Chris Paul hit a crucial 3-pointer to put the Suns ahead 106–102 with 1:30 left. Ayton added a tip-in with 51.4 seconds left to extend the advantage to 108–102.
Paul finished with 19 points and nine assists.
Bridge hit a pair of mid-range jumpers late in the fourth to give the Suns a boost. He had one of his best games of the season, shooting 12 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.
Toronto was led by Fred VanVleet’s 24 points and nine assists. Gary Trent Jr. added 21 points while Pascal Siakam scored 19 points.
Bridges scored 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting to give the Suns a 62–53 halftime lead. Siakam led the Raptors with 12 before the break.
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Raptors: G OG Anunoby (wrist) and F Otto Porter Jr. (foot) were out. … shot just 9-of-33 (27.3 percent) from 3-point range.
Suns: Guards Devin Booker (groin), Cameron Payne (foot) and Landry Schmett (feet) were out. … hosted the 53rd sold-out crowd. … Paul hit a 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to give the Suns a 32–28 lead. … Dario Saric added 11 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
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Raptors: Travel to face Utah on Wednesday night.
Suns: Hosts Atlanta Wednesday night.
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