Booker and Durant: Driving the Suns’ success in the fourth quarter

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have significantly improved the Phoenix Suns’ fourth-quarter performance this season. The Suns have won three of their four fourth quarters with their top stars leading the charge. Durant averages 10.3 points and Booker 7.5 points in these crucial moments, providing over 60% of the team’s fourth-quarter scoring. This reliance on their best players has led to a more organized and effective closing strategy compared to last season’s inconsistent performances.

By the numbers

• Kevin Durant: 10.3 points, 57% field goal shooting, 50% three-point shooting in the fourth quarter.
• Devin Booker: 7.5 points, 50% field goal shooting, 55% three-point shooting in the fourth quarter.
• Combined score in the fourth quarter: 17.8 points, compared to 13.9 points last season.

State of affairs

• The Suns execute a more reliable strategy in the fourth, focusing on their star players.
• Turnovers are still a concern, as is Jusuf Nurkić’s performance late in games.

What’s next

If Booker and Durant continue their strong play in the fourth quarter, other players like Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones can take advantage of open looks while the defense focuses on the stars. This could increase the Suns’ overall offensive effectiveness late in games.

In short

The Suns’ strategy of relying on Booker and Durant in the fourth quarter is paying off, creating a potentially more formidable late-game offense. This approach could lead to more success in the competitive Western Conference.