Dillon Brooks scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns used a decisive second-half surge to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-113 on Friday night, completing a back-to-back sweep and snapping Cleveland’s season-best five-game winning streak.
Phoenix followed up Thursday’s win over Detroit, a game in which Brooks poured in a career-high 40 while “Dillon the Villain” T-shirts filled the arena, by extending its own streak to three straight victories despite continued absences from scoring leader Devin Booker, who remains out with a sprained ankle.
Brooks was efficient once again, shooting 9 of 14 from the field while knocking down two 3-pointers and seven of eight free throws. The Suns were lethal from deep, connecting on 23 of 48 attempts. Jordan Goodwin added 17 points and Collin Gillespie scored 16 as Phoenix improved to 30-19.
Jalen Green made his return from a right hamstring injury, appearing in just his fifth game of the season. The guard, acquired from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade, finished with 11 points in 15 1/2 minutes.
De’Andre Hunter led Cleveland with 17 points. Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson each scored 16, though Mitchell committed eight turnovers. The Cavaliers struggled to take care of the ball early, turning it over 15 times in the first half.
Phoenix led 52-47 at halftime before blowing the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 45-32 to build a commanding 97-79 lead. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected early in the fourth after receiving his second technical foul, and the Suns pushed the margin as high as 30 at 109-79.
Up next:
Cleveland fell to 29-21 and heads to Portland on Sunday night. Phoenix returns home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
