Trio of Phoenix Suns Leads NAZ Suns to Victory over Lakers
February 21, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Last time the Northern Arizona Suns faced off against the South Bay Lakers, five Los Angeles Lakers put on a show to win it for the home team. This time around, a Phoenix Suns trio returned the favor.
The three Phoenix Suns on the NAZ Suns' roster Wednesday night combined for 82 points in Northern Arizona's 130-126 win at the Findlay Toyota Center.
The Suns (9-31) marked a new season-high in scoring, surpassing the 120 points scored against the Agua Caliente Clippers on Nov. 16. The Suns won their second straight game and evened the season-series 1-1 against the Lakers (14-24), who dropped their second straight and third of their last four.
Jawun Evans played his first game with Northern Arizona since Jan. 25 and picked up where he left off, recording 28 points on 9-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from distance, six rebounds and four assists. It marked his eighth 20+ point game of the season and his first since Jan. 10 at Grand Rapids.
George King also poured in 28 points, earning his on 9-of-17 shooting, 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also had four rebounds. This marked a new career-high in scoring for King, as he bested his 26-point game at the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Feb. 5.
De'Anthony Melton was assigned to the team this afternoon, but there was no chemistry lost even though he hadn't suited up in Prescott Valley since Nov. 27. He tallied 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. This was a new career-high for Melton in the NBA G League, besting his 25-point game at the Austin Spurs on Nov. 9.
The Suns got off to an electric start, making 15-of-22 (.682) from the field and 7-of-10 (.700) from distance in the first quarter. Evans didn't miss a shot, dropping 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting (2-2 3PT) to lead NAZ to a 39-29 lead after the opening frame. The Suns widely outshot the Lakers in the second quarter, but South Bay was able to get 13 more shot attempts thanks to 10 offensive rebounds to win the frame 34-32, coming back from an 18-point deficit. NAZ held a 71-63 lead at halftime, setting a new mark for points scored in a half this season.
The Lakers won the next quarter too, 29-28, by keeping pace with Northern Arizona's hot shooting night. South Bay won the final quarter 34-31, taking their third quarter of the game, but they still couldn't get the win. The Lakers held a 120-118 lead before Evans nailed a three-pointer. Aaron Epps followed with a dunk and a three of his own to essentially end the game. The Suns won by four after leading by 18. There were 12 lead changes and six ties.
Northern Arizona finished at a 43-of-78 (.551) clip, making 20-of-42 (.476) from downtown. The 20 three-pointers are a new season-high, better than the 18 threes they made vs. Santa Cruz on Nov. 13. South Bay finished at 46-of-98 (.469) and 15-of-37 (.405) from distance. The Lakers even outrebounded the Suns 47-36, but they gave up 35 points on 19 turnovers.
Retin Obasohan achieved his third career double-double (first since Feb. 2 vs. Delaware) with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 10 assists and five rebounds. He tied his career-high in assists (vs. Lakeland on Feb. 1). Epps followed his monster game with 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks tonight off the bench. Also coming in as a reserve was Peter Jok, who tallied 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from distance and three assists.
South Bay's Travis Wear was money from distance tonight, making 7-of-13 to finish with 25 points, adding five rebounds, five assists and four steals. All five Lakers' starters scored in double-figures, with Scott Machado tallying 21 points, five assists and two steals. Derrick Griffin led the bench with 16 points (7-12 FG, seven rebounds), while Jemerrio Jones led the team with 13 rebounds and nine assists off the pine, to go with nine points.
The Suns will take their two-game winning streak into Stockton on Saturday at 8 p.m. MT to take on the Kings for the fourth and final time this season. Stockton leads the season-series 2-1. The Lakers will return home for the first time since Feb. 8 to face the Austin Spurs on Friday at 8 p.m. MT.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from February 21, 2019
- Blue Coats Acquire 2019 Fourth-Round Draft Pick from Greensboro Swarm - Delaware Blue Coats
- Greensboro Swarm Complete Two Trades - Greensboro Swarm
- Erie BayHawks Complete Trade with Greensboro Swarm - Erie BayHawks
- Windy City Bulls Acquire Tiwian Kendley and 2019 Fourth-Round Pick in Trade with Capital City - Windy City Bulls
- Capital City Acquires Dikembe Dixson and 2019 Third-Round Pick in Trade with Windy City - Capital City Go-Go
- Go-Go to Host Education Day - Capital City Go-Go
- Agua Caliente Clippers Acquire Returning Rights to Beech, Shepard - Ontario Clippers
- Santa Cruz Warriors Complete Trade for Returning Rights to Guard Andre Dawkins, 2019 Draft Pick - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Stars to Host "Utah Jazz Night" on March 1 - Salt Lake City Stars
- Phoenix Suns Recall Melton from NAZ Suns - Northern Arizona Suns
- New York Knicks Sign John Jenkins - Westchester Knicks
- Stockton Kings Defeat Santa Cruz Warriors, 117-112 - Stockton Kings
- Rested Clips Defeat Bulls - Ontario Clippers
- Santa Cruz Warriors Fall 117-112 to Stockton Kings, Split Season Series 2-2 - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Stars Fall to Hustle in Overtime - Salt Lake City Stars
- Trio of Phoenix Suns Leads NAZ Suns to Victory over Lakers - Northern Arizona Suns
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
