THE Phoenix Suns bench took the spotlight in a blistering fourth quarter run to finish off the Charlotte Hornets, 120-103, on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The Suns overcame a 10-point first quarter lead with a 19-8 rally to close the first half with a 61-58 edge. Another 17-3 spurt near the midway point of the third extended the Phoenix advantage to 12 before Charlotte got the lead down to one early in the fourth period.
But the Suns, led by reserves Alan Williams, Tyler Ulis, Leandro Barbosa, and Derrick Jones Jr., turned up the heat with a 24-8 start, including a 17-2 blast, to put away the Hornets for good.
Six Phoenix players scored in double figures led by Marquese Chriss, who had 17 points, to help the Suns end a three-game slide and improve to 19-42. TJ Warren, Barbosa and Williams scored 16 apiece, while Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Kemba Walker led Charlotte (26-35) with 26 points, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Marvin Williams added 19 markers, while Frank Kaminsky III finished with 16 points.