Suns finish strong, continue woeful Nets’ spiral

Mark Williams scored a season-high 27 points, Dillon Brooks added 26 points and the host Phoenix Suns held off Brooklyn 106-102 on Tuesday, sending the Nets to their sixth straight loss.

Grayson Allen scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, and his driving layup with 12 seconds capped a game-ending 10-2 Phoenix run.

Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 36 points and made six 3-pointers and Egor Demin scored 15 for the Nets, who overcame a 12-point first-half deficit and led 100-96 on Porter's three with 3:33 left.

Benches cleared with 1:14 remaining and the Suns leading 104-102, when Demin pushed Brooks during a scramble for a loose ball under the Nets' basket. The Suns' Royce O'Neale and the Nets' Terance Mann had to be separated.

After a lengthy official review, Demin, Mann, Porter, O'Neale and Allen were given technical fouls.

Allen missed the ensuing free throw and Demin missed a desperation 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining. Allen scored on the Suns' next possession, and Porter missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Williams was 13 of 15 from the field as the Suns scored 72 points in the paint.

Porter had his 12th 30-point game, and he and Demin made two 3-pointers apiece in the fourth quarter when the Nets outscored the Suns 27-24.

Cam Tomas and Ziaire Williams had 11 points apiece for the Nets, who have lost 11 of their last 12 and were coming off a 37-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The short-handed Suns broke a short two-game losing streak while playing without starting guards Devin Booker and Collin Gillespie. The Suns are 2-4 when Booker does not play.

Brooks was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for striking Nic Claxton in the groin while reaching for a loose ball at 7:01 of the first quarter. The play was upgraded after an official review. A player faces a one-game suspension after receiving four flagrant fouls.

Brooks was called for his 15th technical foul of the season later in the first half, when he and Demin became tangled under the Suns' basket. Demin was called for a personal foul. A player receives a mandatory one-game suspension after his 16th technical foul.

Brooks made his two free throws for a 60-51 halftime lead. Allen's 3-pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter gave the Suns a 82-75 edge.