Suns Can't Break Even in Vegas, Lose to BayHawks
December 21, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
LAS VEGAS - In a battle between one of the best defensive teams in the NBA G League and the top-scoring offense, the Northern Arizona Suns held the Erie BayHawks well below their season average, but it wasn't enough to get the win.
The BayHawks won 106-95 as the Suns dropped their second and final game of their 2018 MGM Resorts NBA G League Winter Showcase set Friday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The Suns lost their eighth consecutive game, while the BayHawks swept their Showcase set 2-0, beating the Texas Legends on Wednesday.
The Suns came into the matchup allowing the seventh fewest points (107.4 PPG) while the BayHawks were averaging 121.0 points per contest, the best mark in the league. Northern Arizona shut Erie down right off the bat, allowing a 7-of-25 (.280) clip in the opening frame as the Suns took a 21-19 lead after the first quarter. Both teams were feeling it in the second as the BayHawks took a 54-51 lead into the locker room.
Erie extended its lead after the third quarter to 78-69. After falling behind by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Suns got within three points with just over a minute to go, but they were unable to score after that, giving up an 8-0 run to end the game.
Elie Okobo led the way with a career-high 14 assists to go with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals. He earned his second double-double of the season as he bested his 10-assist night from Nov. 13 against the Santa Cruz Warriors. It was the Phoenix Suns' assignee's fourth 20+ point game in seven contests with the NAZ Suns.
Hollis Thompson earned his first 20+ point game since Feb. 2, 2017, at the Los Angeles D-Fenders while with the Austin Spurs. Today, Thompson recorded 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting (3-5 3PT) and eight rebounds. Daxter Miles Jr. finished with 11 points after scoring nine in the first quarter, while Peter Jok (11 points) and Daniel Dixon (10 points) powered the Suns bench.
Erie's Jordan Sibert scored a career-high 34 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc, plus 7-of-7 from the free throw line. He also added six rebounds and three steals. Just three BayHawks scored in double figures, with RJ Hunter dropping 22 points, and Isaac Humphries achieving a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The Suns will enjoy an eight-day break in-between games, with their next contest against the South Bay Lakers at the UCLA Health Training Center on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. MT. The BayHawks will get a week off before facing the Lakeland Magic at home on Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. MT.
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