MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Paul scored 19 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, Devin Booker had 29 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-96 for their ninth straight win.
Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 12 rebounds in his return to the Suns after missing five games with a right lower leg contusion. Booker made one of two foul shots with 16.1 seconds to give the Suns a 98-96 lead.
Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell missed a 3-point and Anthony Edwards couldn’t control an offensive rebound. Booker made another free throw and the Timberwolves’ last-second heave was short.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost eight of nine.
