Devin Booker leads balanced scoring attack as Phoenix Suns defeat Charlotte Hornets

The Phoenix Suns, displaying effective ball movement that fueled scoring down low and from 3-point range, won their second-straight game, 133-119 over the Charlotte Hornets Friday at Footprint Center to begin a six-game homestand.

Devin Booker led a balanced scoring attack with 35 points and added eight assists. Jusuf Nurkic scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, as he repeatedly was able to score from the paint on passes from the perimeter.

Eric Gordon, coming off the bench with Bradley Beal returning to the starting lineup, continued his hot shooting from 3-point range for Phoenix (16-15), nailing seven shots from behind the arc for all of his 21 points. Kevin Durant scored 21 and added 11 assists to lead the team, his second straight game with double-digit assists. Grayson Allen, who started, added 16 points.

Beal, in his first game back from an ankle injury suffered Dec. 15, scored 6 points but chipped in seven assists in 30 minutes.

The Suns shot 62 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3-point range, making 18 of 30 from behind the arc.

Terry Rozier scored 42 for the Hornets (7-23), who have lost 10 in a row. Charlotte made 23 of 46 3-point attempts.

The Suns next play on New Year's Eve, at 6 p.m., against the Orlando Magic at Footprint Center, the first of a back-to-back. They return on New Year's Day at 7 p.m. to host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Booker's hot hand fuels Suns in 3rd

The Suns were moving the ball well and finding their range, building a 103-89 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points and finding his 3-point shot again, as was Eric Gordon, who came off the bench and hit back-to-back 3-point shots and finishing the quarter with 12 points. He's hit five 3-pointers through three quarters. Jusuf Nurkic was dominating in the paint, as perimeter players found him for easy buckets down low. Nurkic had 22 points after three quarters.

Phoenix was shooting 66 percent from the field and had 30 assists after the quarter, an indication of how well they were moving the ball. Terry Rozier of Charlotte was leading all scorers with 30 points to keep Charlotte within reach.

Suns extend lead at the half

The Suns pushed their lead to 16 at one point in the second quarter, but the Hornets were able to stay within reach, draining five 3-pointers in the quarter and 12 for the half, for 57 percent. The score was 68-58 at the half.

Devin Booker began heating up for Phoenix late in the second quarter, hitting consecutive threes with under three minutes to play to finish the half with 15 points, which led the Suns along with five assists. Jusuf Nurkic had 14 and Kevin Durant 11 points and six assists. Bradley Beal scored 4 points in the quarter, his first points in his return from a sprained ankle.

Terry Rozier and Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 17 points each.

Phoenix shot nearly 65 percent from the field and made nine 3-point shots in the half. Charlotte shot nearly 49 percent from the field.

Nurkic and Hornets' center Nick Richards both were assessed technical fouls after squaring off after Richards collided with Nurkic while running into the lane at the 3:19 mark of the second.

Big opening quarter for Nurkic

The Suns maintained a 36-30 lead after the opening quarter, behind 12-points by Jusuf Nurkic.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant added 7 points each, while Bradley Beal, in his first game back since spraining his ankle on Dec. 15, added four assists but didn't score in 9 minutes of play.

Charlotte was led by Brandon Miller's 14 points.

The Suns shot 58 percent from the field and made four shots from 3-point range, while the Hornets were 52 percent from the field, hitting seven 3-point shots.

Frank Vogel on tonight's lineup

Coach Frank Vogel confirmed the Suns will start Devin Booker and Bradley Beal at the guard spots, Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant at forwards, and Jusuf Nurkic at Center. Charlotte will start Terry Rozier and Brandon at guards, Bryce McGowens and Miles Bridges at forwards, and Nick Richards at center.

More on Bradley Beal's status

The Suns have ruled Beal as available for Friday's game vs. Charlotte. He has been out since suffering a right ankle sprain on Dec. 15 against the New York Knicks.

Phoenix's Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Beal have only played in one full game together. Their second game was against the Knicks when Beal went down due to injury.

Read more from The Republic's Duane Rankin here.

More: How Bradley Beal can impact Phoenix Suns after his next comeback in January

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bradley Beal returns as Devin Booker, Suns take down Hornets