[Sports] Suns push past Pistons, win franchise record 18th straight

[S e u o n g]

Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne both scored 19 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to their franchise-record 18th win in a row, beating the Detroit Pistons 114-103 on Thursday night.

Johnson and Payne sparked a stellar effort from the Suns bench, which finished with 48 points. Deandre Ayton had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Phoenix improved to 19-3 for the season.

"I haven't talked about streaks of any kind just because we have been so focused on improving," Suns coach Monty Williams said of the run that's lasted more than a month. "But it is really cool to be a part of something like that."

 

Phoenix won despite not having leading scorer Devin Booker for the first time this season. The two-time All-Star suffered a left hamstring injury in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

Seven Suns scored in double figures in a balanced effort. Phoenix shot 54% from the field.

"It is hard to win in this league and we are not satisfied but it is special," Williams said. "To do it in front of our fan base, in a special city like this with the history of this franchise is pretty cool and I want our guys to enjoy it."

Phoenix shot 76% in the second quarter and led 69-51 by halftime. Payne had 11 points in the second quarter.

The Pistons fought back in the third on a 17-0 run to get within 80-79 after a 3-pointer by rookie Cade Cunningham. It appeared that Detroit tied it at 82 moments later, but a 3-point shot by Hamidou Diallo was ruled to have come after the 24-second clock expired.

"When we play like that, we can win games," Pistons center Isaiah Stewart said.

 

LINK: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/suns-pistons-win-franchise-record-18th-straight