With Kevin Durant (35) showing off his scoring ability for the first time in a long time, the Phoenix Sons snapped a long losing streak.
Phoenix defeated the Detroit Pistons 120-106 in a regular league away game in the NBA 2023-23 season at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, on the 6th (Korea Standard Time).
For Phoenix, which escaped from a three-game losing streak, Durant was active with 41 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and Gordon with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Detroit fought hard with Cunningham 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, Saseo 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and Tamson 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks.
The away team Phoenix started Eric Gordon, Grace Allen, Kevin Durant, Keita Bates-Diopp, and Yusuf Nuckic with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker absent. Kylian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, Asar Tamson, Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Duren were first sent out by Detroit.
Phoenix had the upper hand in height by clearing 16 more rebounds than its opponent. In addition, it outperformed Detroit in the number of assists.
The two teams had a tight first quarter, but Durant performed well in this trend. Durant, who already had a good shot with 10 consecutive points, even got a three-point foul from Marvin Begley III. However, Detroit also regained its vitality after Sacer and Begley were put in and finished the first quarter with a 27-28 chase.
Gordon, who should lead the team while Durant rested, took an active offensive from the beginning of the second quarter. He scored a transition three-point shot following a game between Nuckitch and two-man. Then he opened up the lead with Nukichi and another back-to-back two-man game. Phoenix, which added Watanabe's four-point play, seems to be leading the game, and after Saseo was put in, Cunningham's pass revived for Detroit. However, Durant quelled the opponent's pursuit with a mid-range jumper and ended the first half with a 58-49 lead by nine points.
Durant hit the first three-point shot and Fader Way from the start of the third quarter and even helped Gordon's three-point shot. Phoenix produced a run-away score, and Durand also scored seven consecutive points in a minute. However, Detroit's pursuit continued in the section where Saseo came out, and "Ace" Cunningham also joined the scoring procession. Eventually, Phoenix, whose score was narrowed in the absence of Durant, entered the fourth quarter with a 92-80 lead. 프라그마틱 슬롯 사이트
However, early in the fourth quarter, when Gordon showed an elegant pass game without Durant, Phoenix produced a running score. In addition, Durant, who returned to the court, got a foul from Tamson, who had a good defense, after putting in a quick dunk. He then finished the game by making a quick layup. In the end, both teams left their main players out by 2:35 into the game. Phoenix then won Detroit by 120-106, 14 points to escape its third consecutive loss.