Cavaliers at Suns
The Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers are both closing in on clinching two of the three worst records in the league and equal odds of winning the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery. Despite the incentive to lose, both teams still appear to be giving it their all and will try to knock off each other when the Suns host the Cavaliers on Monday.
Phoenix suffered its sixth straight loss on Saturday but took the Memphis Grizzlies down to the wire and got another strong game from star shooting guard Devin Booker, who poured in 48 points on 19-of-29 shooting and added 11 assists. "I'm very pleased with us competing, playing hard, trying to win this game," Suns coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "Our effort was outstanding, but just better players made a play." Cleveland dropped its last five games - all against teams ticketed for the postseason - and played most of them close before failing to keep pace at the Los Angeles Clippers in a 132-108 loss Saturday. Star forward Kevin Love sat out the game to rest a sore shoulder but could return on Monday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (19-58): Cleveland reserve point guard Jordan Clarkson was one of the few bright spots on Saturday and finished with 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting in 24 minutes. "Jordan played pretty well," Cavaliers coach Larry Drew told reporters. "He came off the bench and gave us a spurt, particularly in the second half when we were down big. Made some really nice drives to the basket and made some timely baskets. When you dig a hole like that it’s tough to overcome and you have to exert a lot of energy. We weren’t able to overcome it." Clarkson scored in double figures in all 15 games in March, averaging 16.9 points.
ABOUT THE SUNS (17-60): Booker is averaging 52.3 points over the last three games and drew some criticism last week after putting up 50 or more points in losses to Utah and Washington. "I wanted him to get to 50 so bad," Phoenix swingman Josh Jackson told the Arizona Republic after Saturday's loss. "I wanted him to. Teams be hatin' on him, of course. I've always known he's an amazing scorer, but I feel like he's showing everybody, 'I can do this consistently all the time.' It's really amazing." Booker could have even less scoring help the rest of the way after rookie center Deandre Ayton, who averages 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds, left Saturday's game with a sprained left ankle.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers rookie PG Collin Sexton scored 20 or more points in 11 of his last 12 games.
2. Jackson (ankle) scored 10 points in 30 minutes off the bench on Saturday after sitting out the previous three contests.
3. Cleveland took the last eight meetings, including a 111-98 home win on Feb. 21.