PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 36 points and had nine assists to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 118-96 win over the Utah Jazz in NBA Cup group play on Friday night. Grayson Allen scored 14 points, Royce O’Neale and Ryan Dunn had 13 points each and Dunn grabbed 10 rebounds for the Suns, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 33 points, his fourth straight game scoring at least 30 points. Keyonte George finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Utah. Walker Kessler led Utah with 13 rebounds. The Suns took command in the first quarter, outscoring the Jazz 37-17 in the frame. Phoenix led 54-40 by halftime and slowly expanded the lead in the second half. The Jazz turned the ball over 21 times, compared to nine times for the Suns. Up next The Suns are at home against the Spurs on Sunday. The Jazz play another road game as they travel to meet the Hornets on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Source link

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jrue Holiday had 27 points and eight assists, and he hit four free throws in the final seconds to help the Portland Trail Blazers hold off a late Utah rally and beat the Jazz 136-134 on Wednesday night. Deni Avdija added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers, and Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant finished with 18 points apiece. Portland scored 27 points off 21 Utah turnovers on its way to a second straight road victory. The Blazers improved to 3-1 since coach Chauncey Billups was arrested for what federal authorities described as his involvement in illicit gambling activities and was placed on leave. Lauri Markkanen scored 32 points to lead the Jazz, who lost at home for the first time this season. Keyonte George added 29 points and eight assists. Walker Kessler had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Trailing 122-100 with 10:08 left, Utah used a 16-2 run bookended by 3-pointers from Kessler to cut the deficit to single digits. Four straight baskets by George and Cody Williams, followed by free throws from Markkanen and George, trimmed Portland’s lead to 134-133 with 7.7 seconds remaining. Holiday went 4 of 4 from the free-throw