New court, same result: Jazz fall to Suns in first NBA Cup game
by Ryan Miller, KSL.com · KSL.comEstimated read time: 1-2 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The court was different. The tournament name had even changed. The result, though, was still the same for the Utah Jazz.
Devin Booker had 31 points and Bradley Beal added 24 to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 120-112 win over the Utah Jazz Tuesday at the Delta Center in both team's first NBA Cup game. Utah has yet to win a game at home this season.
Utah used an 11-2 run in the third quarter — highlighted by a couple of drives by rookie Kyle Filipowski — to cut what had been an 18-point Suns' lead down to 6. Despite hanging around striking distance for most of the fourth quarter, the Jazz never got closer than that.
They have Booker to blame for that one. Each time the Jazz seemed to be making a push, Booker had an answer. He scored 15 points in the final frame and went 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
And when he wasn't scoring, he was creating. After Lauri Markkanen cut the lead to 8 points with 2:30 left, Booker drove into the paint and kicked it out to Ryan Dunn for a 3-pointer that once again halted Utah's momentum.
John Collins had 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Jazz, who fell to 2-8 on the season. Filipowksi had a career-high 18 points and six rebounds and Lauri Markkanen added 17 points for Utah.
The Jazz now have a steep climb if they wish to compete for the NBA Cup. Utah will have three more cup games, beginning with next Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This story will be updated.
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Ryan Miller
KSL.com Utah Jazz reporter