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“Booker and Beal lead Suns past Jazz in NBA Cup opener”

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Devin Booker scored 15 of his game-high 31 points (11 of 20, five 3s) in the final quarter to help the Phoenix Suns to a 120-112 win at the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

This was both teams' first game in NBA Cup Western Conference Group B play, the league's regular-season tournament.

Bradley Beal had the Suns' most complete game on both ends of the floor with his 24 points (4 of 7 from deep), four assists, two steals and two blocks.

Mason Plumlee contributed a solid 15 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and a block while replacing injured Suns starter Jusuf Nurkic (ankle). Kevin Durant's replacement (calf), Ryan Dunn, had eight points. Dunn's rookie teammate Oso Ighodaro had a season-high 12 rebounds, six points and two blocks, and Grayson Allen scored 15 points (four 3s, 50% FG) off the bench.

John Collins had a Jazz-high 29 points and 11 boards.

The Suns maintained the lead starting at the eight-minute mark in the first quarter and then took control of the game after extending their largest lead to 18 in the second quarter.

The Suns next face the Sacramento Kings in the second of their four-game road trip and second of back-to-back games on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Phoenix lost to the Kings 127-118 at home on Sunday.

Grayson Allen scored seven of his 15 points to keep Phoenix ahead 87-79 over Utah to close out the third game. He kept a hot hand from 3-point range, shooting 4 of 6.

Devin Booker has 16 and Bradley Beal has 17 for Phoenix.

After trailing by 15 early in the period, the Jazz went on a 21-2 run to cut the lead to six after four minutes, but Allen's shot extended the lead again.

Bradley Beal scored five of his team-high 13 points (3 of 5 from deep) in the second quarter for Phoenix, which led 64-49 at halftime.

The Suns went on a 12-0 run early in the second quarter, boosted by consecutive three-pointers from Grayson Allen (eight points). That surge extended the Suns' largest lead to 18. They shot an outstanding 58.5%, including 9 of 17 from 3, and outscored the Jazz 13-3 in the open floor.

Additionally, the Suns had 9 blocks, one of which tied their franchise record for blocks in a half.

Utah's leading scorer is still John Collins with 13 points.

Booker and Suns are ahead after the 1st quarter

Phoenix leads Utah 33-21 after the first period.

Devin Booker scored nine points and added three assists to lead Phoenix's attack. After a narrow early lead, the Suns got going with two 7-0 runs midway through the quarter, including the second run that took them to their largest lead of 12, capped by Booker's 3 at 2:43.

John Collins of the Jazz had a team-high nine points.

Starting lineups

The Suns have Mason Plumlee in the starting lineup for the first time, replacing center Jusuf Nurkic (out of action, ankle). Rookie forward Ryan Dunn replaces Durant (calf) for the second straight game. Tyus Jones, Booker and Beal round out their starting lineup.

Jazz second-year guard Keyonte George (foot) will start after being upgraded to available. Collin Sexton is in the backfield with George, Lauri Markkanen in the four, rookie swingman Cody Williams and John Collins in the middle.

Suns, Jazz injury reports

In addition to Durant, Suns starter Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) is also questionable and backup point guard Collin Gillespie (ankle) is out.

Jazz starting guard Keyonte George (foot) is questionable. Their top shot blockers Walker Kessler (hip), Jason Preston (personal) and Taylor Hendricks (right leg surgery) are out.

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