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Suns, Heat, Grizzlies prove too hot in NBA

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Grizzlies guard Ja Morant recorded his fourth career triple-double in the win over Utah.
Camera IconGrizzlies guard Ja Morant recorded his fourth career triple-double in the win over Utah. Credit: AP

Devin Booker scored 29 points, Chris Paul had a triple-double with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns won their ninth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 134-124 on Friday night.

Cam Johnson added 23 points for Phoenix who improved to 39-9, the best start in franchise history, hitting 20 three-pointers to tie a season high. It was Paul's 18th career triple-double and third since joining the Suns last season.

"Right now, we're in a good groove as a team," Paul said.

"We just want to stay that way."

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In Miami, the Eastern Conference-leading Heat snapped a six-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 121-114.

Jimmy Butler scored 26 points, Gabe Vincent 23, and Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat (32-17) who have won 10 of 12.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points and 13 rebounds and made numerous big plays in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks (31-20) beat the New York Knicks 123-108 in Milwaukee.

The home side never trailed and won their fourth in five games.

Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Khris Middleton added 20 for the Bucks while Evan Fournier had 25 points for the Knicks.

"At the beginning of the fourth, Giannis kind of took over a little bit," Knicks forward R.J. Barrett said.

"But it's good for a team like us, watching the defending champs to see how they raise their level."

The Utah Jazz's worrying slide down the Western Conference standings continued, losing 119-109 to the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Australia's Joe Ingles and his Jazz (30-20) side tasted defeat for the fourth time in a row, thanks largely to Ja Morant's 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

"I think the win was more important, but I guess the triple-double was needed to get the win," Morant said.

"All in all, it was a good night."

It was Morant's fourth career triple-double, backed up by Brandon Clarke's 22 points, and Memphis (34-17) pulled away to consolidate fourth spot in the West - one place above Utah.

Danuel House Jr. led the short-handed Jazz with 21 points while Boomers guard Ingles only contributed five.

Compatriot Josh Giddey had better numbers in Oklahoma City but his 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal wasn't enough to get the Thunder their 15th NBA win of the season, going down 113-110 to the Indiana Pacers after overtime for a seventh straight defeat.

The Spurs scored a shock 131-122 victory over the Chicago Bulls in DeMar DeRozan's return to San Antonio while Miles Bridges had 26 points for the Charlotte Hornets who held off the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 117-114.

LeBron James (knee) and Anthony Davis (wrist) both sat out while Russell Westbrook, who scored 35 points for the Lakers, missed a potential winning three-pointer with 0.7 seconds left.

LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier each had 20 points for the Hornets (28-22).

Elsewhere, there were wins for the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic.

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