NBA: Suns beat the Bucks in overtime as Devin Booker holds his nerve in the final seconds

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Phoenix Suns escaped Milwaukee with a win thanks to a foul called late in overtime to seal the win with a single free throw.

Suns guard Cameron Payne scored 12 points off the bench in Phoenix's overtime win over the Bucks
Suns guard Cameron Payne scored 12 points off the bench in Phoenix's overtime win over the Bucks  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

Devin Booker (24) played hero for the Suns as they yet again beat the Milwaukee Bucks by one point, 128-127.

Booker was contending for a last-second shot in the closing seconds of overtime and was fouled, literally putting the game on the (free-throw) line for the eventual game-winner. Booker made one of two shots, but that was all the Suns needed to edge out the victory over the Bucks.

The game was close throughout, with both teams needing wins to fortify leads in their respective divisions as the playoffs inch closer and closer. There were 16 ties in the game, and the lead changed a total of 24 times. The two had played each other just once before during the season, with Phoenix getting the one-point victory back in February.

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Booker finished the game with 24 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Chris Paul added 22 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists, putting him into fifth all-time in NBA Career assists over NBA legend Magic Johnson. Deandre Ayton scored 20 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was strong for the Bucks with a game-high 33 points and 8 rebounds, while Kris Middleton scored 26 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Jrue Holiday added eight assists and four rebounds in a losing effort for Milwaukee.

On Wednesday, the Suns travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers and on Thursday, it's the Bucks' turn to go up against Philly.

Around the NBA

Jayson Tatum scored his first career triple-double as the Celtics lost to the Bulls 102-96
Jayson Tatum scored his first career triple-double as the Celtics lost to the Bulls 102-96  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

In Detroit, the Pistons held off the Cavaliers for the 109-105 victory, while the Pacers have now dropped three straight after losing to the Spurs 109-94.

Jayson Tatum's first career triple-double wasn't enough for Boston as the Bulls came to town and snapped the Celtics' six-game winning streak winning 102-96. The Heat got hot in the second half, on their way to an easy 113-92 win over the Rockets.

Golden State got past Philly with 49 points from Steph Curry as the Warriors won 107-96 over the Sixers. And the Wizards beat the Thunder 119-107.

The Jazz got some revenge over the Lakers in a quick rematch from Saturday, beating LA 111-97, and after two overtimes, the Nuggets beat the Grizzlies by two, 139-137.

The Knicks will look for seven-straight wins on Tuesday with the Hornets coming into New York, and the Clippers and Blazers get together out west, in Portland.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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