SUNS RISE IN CHARLOTTE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)-Devin Booker led a balanced Phoenix attack with 21 points and 11 assists as the Suns beat the Charlotte Hornets 107-96 on Friday night for their fourth win in six games.

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Grayson Allen and Bradley Beal each scored 15 points, and Jusuf Nurkic chipped in with 13 points and 21 rebounds for the Suns (39-28), who bounced back from a lopsided 127-112 loss to the NBA-best Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

"That's the name of the game for us," said Kevin Durant, who had 13 points and was one of six Suns in double figures. "There are going to be nights where everybody has to contribute scoring the ball and tonight was one of those nights." Vasa Micic followed up a careerhigh 25-point effort on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies with 21 points to lead Charlotte. Miles Bridges added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.

The Suns entered the game in seventh place in the crowded Western Conference standings and battling to avoid having to play their way into the playoffs via the play-in tournament.