Going on a 21-0 run without Booker, Ayton, or Rubio on the floor was ______
BUBBLICIOUS
Credit to several of you who answered this question in our tweet by referencing your favorite 90’s fad chewing gum. There really might not be a better adjective to describe such an unexpected burst within a bubble.
Not going to lie, when Booker picked up his fifth foul and Rubio and Ayton took their scheduled breather on the bench, my confidence took a hit. I’m a strong believer in having at least one of your big three on the court at all times and frankly, the lineup of Cam Payne, Jevon Carter, Cam Johnson, Dario Saric, and Frank Kaminsky doesn’t exactly scare opponents on paper.
Luckily, they don’t play the game on paper, they play it in a bubble, and the Suns’ bench blew up all over the unsuspecting Pacers.
With 2:20 left in the third, Justin Holiday hit a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a three-point lead. Then, things got crazy. It became the Cam Payne and Dario show as the two, alone, combined for 21 straight points, almost evenly split with Payne pouring in 10 and Dario 11.
Everyone played strong defense, though, and if not for that run, the outcome of the game would have been in serious jeopardy.