Ayton, Booker lead Suns past Pacers a day after Durant trade

INDIANAPOLIS(AP) — Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Devin Bookerscored 21 points and Chris Paul chipped in 19 as the Phoenix Sunscruised past the Indiana Pacers 117-104 on Friday night.

Playing oneday after their blockbuster trade for four-time NBA scoringchampion Kevin Durant, the Suns led by as many as 26 and nevertrailed in a game they outrebounded the Pacers 64-45.

“It’sexciting times for the Phoenix Suns,” Booker said. “You have one ofthe best players to ever touch a basketball coming. He’s going tofit right in.”

Durant,acquired from Brooklyn on Thursday, hasn’t played since Jan. 8 whenhe sustained a knee injury in a game against Miami. Durant, who wasnot with the Suns in Indiana, is expected to be healthy enough toplay at some point after the All-Star break.

BennedictMathurin posted 22 points for the Pacers, while All-Star TyreseHaliburton finished with 18 points and five assists. Indiana, whichhas lost 14 of its past 16 games, shot 42% from the field andcommitted 15 turnovers.

“Reboundinghas been a challenge for us all year long,” Indiana coach RickCarlisle said. “They had 19 offensive rebounds. Rebounding is anattention-to-detail and effort area.”

Phoenix shot46% and capitalized on ball movement with 25 assists on its 43baskets. Paul had nine assists and Booker five. Josh Okogiefinished with 17 points and six boards, while former Pacer TorreyCraig started at power forward and racked up 11 points and 12rebounds.

Phoenix,which has won six of its past eight, led 30-24 after the firstquarter, 60-47 at halftime and 95-77 entering the final period. TheSuns bounced back from Thursday night’s loss in Atlanta.

“We had atrade, emotions, travel,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.“(Thursday night) on the bus, plane, gave us a chance to get backto normal. Sometimes it takes you a minute to process whatever isgoing on.”

TIP-INS

Suns: Filmstudy will play a “huge” role in determining how to work Durantinto Phoenix’s offense, according to Williams. “Huge as far as usfiguring out what’s the most important thing to run,” he said.“Right now, it’s the old (Gregg Popovich) saying: less is more.”... Cameron Payne (right foot sprain) and Landry Shamet (right footsoreness) sat out Friday’s game. T.J. Warren, reacquired before thetrade deadline, was not yet with the team.

Pacers: Indynative George Hill, acquired Thursday from Milwaukee in a four-teamtrade, chose to begin a second stint with the Pacers rather than bewaived to pursue opportunities to join a contender, president ofbasketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a pregame newsconference. “It’s totally up to you,” Pritchard recalled tellingthe 36-year-old guard. “He immediately said, ‘I want to come backand teach.’ I don’t know if he’s going to coach, but he’s gotvaluable insights.” … Big man Serge Ibaka, sent to Indiana in thesame deal, will be waived, Pritchard said. The 33-year-old hasplayed in only 16 games this season, averaging 11.6 minutes. … Hilland forward Jordan Nwora, the third player obtained from the Buckswhom coach Rick Carlisle said will receive a “great opportunity” toplay in Indiana, should be ready to suit up for the Pacers nextweek, Carlisle said.

UPNEXT

Suns: Returnhome to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Pacers: Playat the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.