{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Basketball Association
Phoenix 111, Boston 90
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 10, 2021
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials: #9 Natalie Sago, #19 James Capers, #34 Kevin Cutler
Attendance: 17071

JaVale McGee had a season-high 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the shorthanded Phoenix Suns coasted past the visiting Boston Celtics 111-90 on Friday night for their 20th win in 21 games.

Cameron Payne scored 17 points off the bench and Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson added 16 points apiece for Phoenix, which played without star guard Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton. Booker missed his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury while Ayton was sidelined with a non-COVID illness.

Mikal Bridges chipped in 14 while both Chris Paul and Landry Shamet scored 10. Paul also dished out a game-high 12 assists.

Phoenix shot 44.8 percent from the field (43 of 96) and 36.8 percent from 3-point range (14 of 38). The Suns made all 11 of their free throw attempts.

Jayson Tatum had a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds for Boston, which dropped its third straight game and ended its five-game West Coast road trip at 1-4.

Dennis Schroder added 15 points, Robert Williams III scored 10 and Al Horford had nine for the Celtics. Marcus Smart missed his first 11 shots and finished 1-of-13 with four points.

Boston shot 37.6 percent (35 of 93) from the field and just 15.4 percent (4 of 26) from 3-point range.

Schroder played despite being questionable with an ankle injury. The Celtics were without All-Star Jaylen Brown for a fifth straight game as he manages a nagging hamstring injury. Forward Bruno Fernando also sat out with back spasms.

Phoenix led 57-39 at halftime and stretched its lead to as many as 27 points in the second half.

Romeo Langford's floater with 4:05 left in the first quarter had the Celtics on top 20-15. The Suns ended the period with a 10-4 push to go up 25-24 after one.

Tatum's 17-foot jumper brought Boston within 32-30 with 8:16 left in the second quarter before the Suns caught fire and went on a 25-5 run to take control for good.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Boston   Phoenix
Jayson Tatum 24 Scoring JaVale McGee 21
Al Horford 3 Assists Chris Paul 12
Romeo Langford 7 Rebounds JaVale McGee 15
Al Horford 5 Free Throws Made Mikal Bridges 2
Aaron Nesmith 2 Steals Jae Crowder 1
Robert Williams III 2 Blocks JaVale McGee 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Boston 90 37.6 4-26 16-24 13 46 6 7 13
Phoenix 111 44.8 14-38 11-11 25 53 9 4 12
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Suns have a W/L % of .857 after a win and .750 after a loss.
  • Boston will play their next game at home against Milwaukee. The Celtics have a W/L % of .462 after a win and .500 after a loss.