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OKC Thunder win a close one against the Suns in Phoenix: grades

By Sinjin Snope

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 31: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 31, 2020 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 31: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 31, 2020 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
DECEMBER 6: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shares a conversation with Head Coach, Billy Donovan of the OKC Thunder during the game (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder win a tightly contested game against the pesky Phoenix Suns for their 30th victory of the 2019-20 NBA season.

Phoenix has been a tough place to play for the OKC Thunder in recent seasons. Tonight was going to be even more interesting given the Suns’ fans feeling that Chris Paul “stole” an All-Star selection from Devin Booker. It was all a recipe for a tightly contested game in the desert on Friday night.

The game started off with the teams delivering a back and forth adventure, as Devin Booker came out on fire for the hometown Suns. Lu Dort, in his homecoming to Arizona, gave a valiant defensive effort but it was to no avail especially early in this game as Booker and the Suns had it going from the tip. The OKC Thunder trailed by two points heading into the second period.

111. 149. 107. 66. Final

Things improved slightly for the OKC Thunder in the second frame as their offense finally got more rhythm. Dennis Schroder continued his strong play off of the bench and Danilo Gallinari was scoring seemingly at will as OKC reclaimed the lead by one point entering the halftime break.

The second half started with the Thunder building upon their lead behind the shot-making of Chris Paul. OKC lead by as much as 10 points in the third quarter until the Suns punched back as they have done many times this year. Kelly Oubre and Phoenix bounced back to take a two-point lead into the final frame.

This game became very close and contested for the final 12 minutes as both teams really wanted to win on this night. Phoenix’s home crowd booed Chris Paul on every touch all night but were silenced when his free throw line jumper bounced in late in the game to give the Thunder the lead for good.

Things got a little hairy in the last moments, but OKC holds on to win tonight’s game by a score of 111-107. Let’s move on to our player grades.

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