Dillon Brooks had a career-high 40 points, Grayson Allen added 24, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Detroit Pistons 114-96 on Thursday night. The Suns maintained a comfortable lead throughout the fourth quarter, securing their fifth win in seven games. With a record of 29-19, they are now 10 games above .500 for the first time this season. Brooks' impressive performance included 13 of 22 field goals and eight rebounds. The team celebrated his achievement by giving the first 5,000 fans a shirt that read 'Dillon The Villain', a fitting tribute to his fiery personality. The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham's 26 points and Jalen Duran's 23 points and 13 rebounds, lost for just the third time in 12 games. Brooks' 38 points through three quarters already set a new career high, surpassing his previous 37-point performance for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021. The 30-year-old Canadian is having a career year, averaging over 20 points per game and becoming a strong contender for his first All-Star selection. The Suns, who acquired him during the offseason in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston, faced a challenging start, trailing 72-56 at halftime. However, they recovered and took a 93-81 lead into the fourth quarter. The game saw the Suns make their first four 3-pointers, contributing to their 72-56 halftime advantage. Brooks scored 24 points before the break, showcasing his versatility with 8 of 11 shots, including turnaround jumpers and threes. Devin Booker, a key player for the Suns, missed his third straight game due to a sprained ankle. The Pistons will face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, while the Suns will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on the same day. The AP NBA coverage can be found at https://apnews.com/hub/nba.
