Elie Okobo Leads, But NAZ Suns Fall to Go-Go
December 12, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona Suns had several strong performances across the board, but the Capital City Go-Go proved too much in the end, as the Suns lost at the Prescott Valley Event Center Tuesday night 108-102.
The Suns (3-14) have lost four consecutive games and five straight at home. This was their first ever game against the Go-Go, as the Washington Wizards' affiliate is in their inaugural season in the NBA G League. The Go-Go (5-6) continue to alternate wins and losses since dropping their first two of the season.
Phoenix Suns assignee Elie Okobo recorded 24 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in his first game back with the NAZ Suns since Nov. 16. This makes consecutive 20+ point games for Okobo in the NBA G League, who has dished out at least eight assists in all three games he's played. He's averaging 20.3 points, 8.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals for the NAZ Suns in those three games.
Okobo was just one of three Suns to score season-highs in the game, with Daniel Dixon also reaching the 20-point plateau, recording 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-9 from downtown. This was Dixon's first 20+ point game since March 22, 2018, while with the Maine Red Claws. Retin Obasohan tallied career-highs across the board with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in 31 minutes off the bench. This was his sixth game of the season.
Derek Cooke Jr. achieved his team-leading sixth double-double of the season with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and 11 rebounds. Daxter Miles Jr. finished with 16 points, seven assists and three steals, while Aaron Epps wasn't able to score a point, but helped the Suns on the boards, securing 13 rebounds.
The Suns forced 18 turnovers while only giving it away 11 times, they had 11 more steals and even had 10 more shot attempts than the Go-Go, but a 36-of-94 (.383) clip from the field couldn't get it done. The Go-Go shot 42-of-84 (.500) from the field and outrebounded NAZ 49-43.
The Suns held a one-point advantage after the first quarter, forcing Capital City to shoot 0-of-6 from downtown. The Go-Go caught fire in the second, making 12-of-18 (.667) shots while NAZ made 8-of-23 (.348). The Suns trailed 59-51 at halftime, with Capital City's Okaro White leading the way, scoring 10 points apiece in the first two quarters.
NAZ stayed around in the third despite a heavy unbalance in the rebounding, and the Suns were able to come back from a 14-point deficit to get within four with 46.9 seconds left. Down four with the ball, Miles missed a three-pointer with 19.7 ticks left, and the Suns couldn't get anything to go at the end.
White finished with a game-high 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting (3-5 3PT, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. It was the Wizards' assignee's first 30+ point game since Dec. 28, 2016, while playing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He also achieved a double-double in his fourth game of the season tonight, his first since Jan. 13, 2017.
Jordan McRae led Capital City's bench with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, to go with five rebounds.
The Suns will hit the road for a one-game trip, as they'll take on the Salt Lake City Stars on Thursday at Vivint Smart Home Arena at 7 p.m. MT. The Go-Go will keep going west for a Thursday matchup with the South Bay Lakers at 8 p.m. MT.
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- Stars Fall to Spurs at Home - Salt Lake City Stars
- Elie Okobo Leads, But NAZ Suns Fall to Go-Go - Northern Arizona Suns
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