The Suns are still the best team in the NBA as they’re enjoying a seven-game winning streak. Following their victory over the Jazz, they’ve now improved to a 37-9 record.
On the other hand, the Bulls got back on the winning track as they’ve won a close one over the Thunder, while the Pelicans and the Cavaliers got their second victory in a row with wins over the Pacers and Knicks respectively.
Learn more about yesterday’s four-game schedule as SBOTOP reviews the latest NBA 2022 results.
Devin Booker and Chris Paul carrying the Suns
Despite missing a host of players, the Suns remain red-hot because of their backcourt duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Against the Jazz on Monday, the duo carried the load on offence by combining for 60 points.
Devin Booker had a game-high of 33 points despite being inefficient. Meanwhile, Chris Paul missed out on a triple-double as he had 27 points, 14 assists, and nine rebounds.
The Jazz trailed by 13 in the first half but they reclaimed the lead at the end of the third period. In the end, though, the Suns took control as they responded with a 14-2 run.
Utah were missing All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley, and they’ve now lost eight in their last 11.
After this game, the Suns have a three-game road trip against the Timberwolves, Spurs, and the Nets – with the Nets being the much-awaited matchup.
The NBA 2022 odds see Phoenix finishing with the best record by the All-Star break. And barring any major injuries, they’re poised for another deep postseason run in the Western Conference.
No Ball, Caruso, and DeRozan no problem for the Bulls
The Bulls got a much-needed win over the Thunder to arrest their two-game slide and they had to earn it the hard way.
Chicago built a seemingly unassailable 28-point lead in the third period, but OKC came close and almost sent the game into overtime in the dying seconds.
Billy Donovan’s side was shorthanded as DeMar DeRozan was rested while Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are both shelved due to injuries. However, they got a huge boost in the form of Ayo Dosunmu and Zach LaVine.
The timing of LaVine’s return couldn’t come at a better time after he missed the Bulls’ last five games due to a knee injury. The athletic swingman finished with 23 points while Dosunmu scored a season-high of 24 points.
The Bulls have 29-17 record, which is good for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They now enter a six-game stretch where they’ll face teams who are .500 or lower before their big showdown against the Sixers on February 7.
Cavaliers aren’t slowing down with Darius Garland leading the way
Darius Garland is deserving of an All-Star spot since he continues to lead the Cavaliers to more wins.
He may have only recorded 13 points and shot poorly (6-for-19) from the field vs. the Knicks. However, he tallied 12 assists and made the biggest shot of the game for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland’s 15-point lead was erased by New York in the final quarter, but Garland knocked down his only three-pointer when it mattered most as it gave his team the advantage for good.
Garland got support from the likes of Kevin Love, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, and Dwan Wade, as they also scored in double digits.
The Cavs are now 29-19, which is good for the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a chance to move up to fourth should they win against the fourth-seeded Bucks (30-19) on Thursday.
Pelicans building momentum
The Pelicans took advantage at a depleted Pacers team by beating them at home in what was a highly competitive matchup.
Devonte Graham led the way with 25 points, while Josh Hart had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Jonas Valanciunas finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
Graham was the Pelicans’ only reliable threat from deep as he nailed five of his nine three-point attempts, when the team missed 20 of 21 from deep.
Hart, meanwhile, had an anxious moment in the third quarter after turning his ankle. But he returned in the final period and produced clutch plays en route to the victory.
Indiana were without Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner due to injuries. Caris LeVert led the Pacers starters with 19 points and eight assists, while Duane Washington Jr. had 21 off the bench.
New Orleans have now moved up to 11th in the Western Conference standings. But they still have a long way to go in order to sneak into the play-in picture.
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