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Thomas: Suns helping Booker chase numbers in losing cause was 'weird'

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Seemingly lost in Devin Booker's sensational 70-point performance from Friday night is his Phoenix Suns losing in fairly convincing fashion to the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden, 130-120.

To Celtics All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, it was apparent during the final minutes of the game that the Suns were doing everything in their power to boost Booker's point total.

"It was weird what they were doing," Thomas said. "I've never seen nothing like that, chasing those numbers. I mean it is what it is.

"I don't think anybody's ever seen that. Continue to call time-outs, continue to foul when we're up 15. But, I mean, it was obvious what they were trying to do - get him the most points possible. Hats off to him, though. He played a hell of a game."

Related - Watch: All 70 of Devin Booker's points vs. Boston

Puzzled by Phoenix's methods, Thomas didn't want to label what the opposition did as "disrespect," choosing to look forward to what lies ahead for the Celtics, while taking a subtle shot at Suns coach Earl Watson in the process.

"We won the game. We're worried about the playoffs, and they're worried about the lottery," Thomas added. "You've gotta tip your hat off to Devin Booker. I mean, 70 points in Pro-Am in some cities is a lot of points. 70 points in any league is a hell of a game. It's just how they did it at the end, and you can't even be mad at the players.

"It was different."

Boston improved to 47-26 on the season, and remain one game back of the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Suns, on the other hand, fall to 22-51, with their losing skid increasing to seven games.

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