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Anthony Black SG | ORL
Magic's Anthony Black: Scores 17 and adds 10 dimes
Black amassed 17 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and one block over 31 minutes during Friday's 121-114 victory over the Raptors.
Black bounced back after struggling massively in his previous start. He should continue to handle a bigger role due to the absence of Jalen Suggs (knee), and while he's not expected to average a double-double as a starter, this was clearly a step in the right direction. Black has surpassed the 15-point plateau in two of his three appearances this season.
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Collin Gillespie PG | PHO
Suns' Collin Gillespie: Tallies 16 points from bench
Gillespie closed with 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds, 10 assists, one block and four steals in 33 minutes during Friday's 127-120 loss to Denver.
Gillespie provided a big lift off the bench, posting a double-double while adding four steals. The guard's production was aided by Dillon Brooks' ejection and a tepid night from Jalen Green. With Phoenix searching for answers early in the season, Gillespie's playmaking could earn him an expanded role.
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Devin Booker SG | PHO
Suns' Devin Booker: Fights with accuracy in loss
Booker totaled 20 points (7-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, five assists and two steals in 39 minutes during Friday's 127-120 loss to Denver.
Booker struggled with his shot on his 30th birthday, but luckily Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks and Colin Gillespie picked up the slack. The star guard also committed four turnovers and played a team-high 39 minutes as Phoenix fell to 1-3. The Suns need more efficiency from their franchise player, and he'll look for a better night Monday against the Warriors.
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Miles Bridges PF | PHO
Suns' Miles Bridges: Continues to thrive with new team
Bridges chipped in 24 points (10-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal in 37 minutes during Friday's 127-120 loss to the Nuggets.
Bridges led Phoenix in scoring and posted a double-double while adding three blocks. The forward has quickly become a key part of the Suns' frontcourt in his first season in Phoenix, and his production was even more important after Dillon Brooks was ejected in the third quarter. He'll try to help Phoenix bounce back Monday at Golden State.
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Cameron Johnson SF | DEN
Nuggets' Cameron Johnson: Struggles with shot in victory
Johnson accumulated 12 points (5-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Friday's 127-120 victory over the Suns.
Johnson battled through a tough shooting night, going two-of-eight from deep, but came one rebound shy of a double-double. With Julian Srawther out until at least Thanksgiving, Johnson is the frontrunner to hold down a starting role at the wing.
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Aaron Gordon PF | DEN
Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Solid perfornance in win
Gordon notched 15 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes during Friday's 127-120 win over the Suns.
Gordon was steady in the victory, and the forward was one of five Nuggets starters to reach double figures. His physicality on both ends remains a key piece of Denver's starting group. He'll look to keep it rolling Monday against the Trail Blazers.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Logs double-double in victory
Jokic posted 18 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, 10 assists and three steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 127-120 win over Phoenix.
Jokic didn't need to carry the scoring load Friday, but he still filled the box score effectively. The three-time MVP shot efficiently and picked up three steals while letting the red-hot Jamal Murray and Christian Braun take over. Denver won consecutive games for the first time this season, and Jokic's playmaking remains the engine of the offense.
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Christian Braun SG | DEN
Nuggets' Christian Braun: Stellar with 31 points
Braun registered 31 points (11-16 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and three steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 127-120 win over the Suns.
Braun was on fire in the win, hitting seven of his nine three-point attempts, including all six in the first half. The wing gave Denver a huge second scoring punch alongside Jamal Murray, who had 39, as the Nuggets knocked down 20 threes as a team. Performances like this make Braun an essential part of the starting five, and he'll look to stay hot Monday at home against Portland.
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Georges Niang PF | GS
Warriors' Georges Niang: Provides 11 points from bench
Niang accumulated 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes during Friday's 112-95 win over the Lakers.
Niang made the most of his minutes off the bench, scoring 11 points without missing a three-pointer. The veteran forward gave the Warriors a big lift during the second-half rally.. He'll look to stay hot Sunday against the Clippers.
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De'Anthony Melton SG | GS
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Logs 16 points off bench
Melton logged 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two steals across 21 minutes during Friday's 112-95 victory over the Lakers.
Melton provided a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points and hitting four three-pointers in 21 minutes. The veteran guard's shooting and defense have made him a valuable part of the rotation, especially with Golden State shorthanded.