Booker, back on the floor after missing four games due to the Covid-19 protocol, compiled 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to bring the Arizona franchise's record to 53 wins - for 13 losses.

"I'm just trying to find my rhythm," Booker said.

"I had a week off. I felt good. I was ready to get back to it."

That victory counted for the Suns after their 123-100 loss to Miami in Phoenix on Jan. 8.

"They came to our pitch and corrected us so we wanted to send a message here," Booker said.

Phoenix, beaten in the NBA Finals last year by Milwaukee, became the first team to secure a playoff spot this season.

"We can't wait to be there, rejoiced Booker. We don't want to fail again."

Their fallers and reigning NBA champions, the Bucks have chained their sixth consecutive success, against Atlanta (124-115).

Thanks to this victory bearing the mark of Giannis Antetokounmpo (43 points, 12 rebounds), the title holders return to two victories of the leader of the Eastern Conference Miami.

Trae Young was unsurprisingly the Hawks' leading scorer with 27 points scored and 11 assists delivered.

League MVP Nikola Jokic led Denver to success against the Sacramento Kings (106-100) by collecting 38 points and 18 rebounds.

A fourth straight win for the Nuggets.

LeBron James triple-double

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the red lantern Houston in overtime (109-100) despite a triple double from their superstar LeBron James (23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists).

"When we make a mistake, when we fall apart defensively or when we don't pay attention to the basket, the teams make us pay for it every time," noted LBJ after his team's ninth consecutive away loss.

"It's as simple as that. We have a small margin of error and they make us pay for it."

LeBron James during his Los Angeles Lakers' loss to Red Lantern Houston, March 9, 2022 Bob Levey GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

With this 37th loss, the franchise falls to ninth place in the Western Conference.

Three days after his 54 points stacked against the Nets, Jayson Tatum almost did it again (44 points) and led the Boston Celtics to success in Charlotte (115-101).

DeMar DeRozan's Bulls (36 points) won in Detroit (114-108).

Gregg Popovich, co-holder of the regular season win record for a coach with Don Nelson (1.335), will have to wait to surpass him after the loss of his San Antonio Spurs against the Toronto Raptors (109-104).

Rudy Gobert's Utah Jazz (9 pts, 10 rebounds) beat Portland (123-85).

The Minnesota Timberwolves took over Oklahoma City (132-102).

And the New York Knicks were corrected by Dallas (107-77) helped by 31 points from Slovenian Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

Orlando dominated New Orleans (108-102) and finally Nicolas Batum's Los Angeles Clippers (8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) won at home against Washington (115-104).

© 2022 AFP