MIAMI – One other unhealthy third quarter.
One other opposing star having an impactful quarter.
One other defeat with out Kevin Durant.
THE Phoenix Suns proceed to battle with out their finest participant, shedding 121-111 Saturday evening towards the Miami Warmth in entrance of a packed home of 19,600 folks on the Kaseya Middle.
The Suns (12-10) are actually 1-8 with their famous person again in Phoenix recovering from a sprained left ankle suffered of their newest win Tuesday towards San Antonio.
“They’re annoyed, they’re aggressive. They wish to win, however I believe the locker room is in the precise place.”
Mike Budenholzer after the Suns misplaced to the Warmth to fall to 12-10, 1-8 with out Kevin Durant. #Suns pic.twitter.com/JfOj570pb4
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
The Warmth (11-10) used a 23-6 run within the third quarter to take a 78-66 lead with 4:09 left within the third, erasing Phoenix’s 58-53 lead at midpoint. time. This comes two days after the Suns gave up 45 factors to New Orleans within the third quarter to guide 99-93 within the fourth quarter after main by 11 on the break.
Then trailing by three with 4:35 to play, Jimmy Butler scored 9 straight factors within the fourth beginning with a nook 3 adopted by back-to-back 3-point performs to provide Miami a 112-102 lead with 3:14 to play . This comes two days after Brandon Ingram scored 21 factors for the Suns in that decisive third quarter in New Orleans.
Warmth heart Bam Adebayo led all scorers with 25 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists whereas Butler had 24 factors. Royce O’Neale led the Suns with a career-high 23 factors in getting Durant’s begin.
Listed below are three takeaways because the Suns wrap up their three-game highway journey Sunday towards Orlando (16-9) within the second sport of a back-to-back.
It took Booker, Beal and the protection to ship
The Suns have had greater than sufficient of the “others,” as Shaquille O’Neale calls them.
O’Neale went 5 of 8 from 3, Grayson Allen went 5 of 9 from distance whereas scoring 16 off the bench and Monte Morris added 12 with 2 of 4 from 3.
This type of efficiency, particularly on the highway, often results in a victory. Why did not this occur for the Suns?
Devin Booker and Bradley Beal mixed to shoot 11 of 34 from the sector, going a glacial 1 of 12 from 3, with Booker hitting the one one on six makes an attempt. Booker completed with 21 factors whereas Beal added 15.
“Simply throw it into the sport.”
Bradley Beal and Devin Booker 1 of 12 from 3 in loss to Warmth.
Regardless of how unhealthy we performed. we have been nonetheless within the sport and had an opportunity to win.”
On one other unhealthy third: “Protection. Consideration to element. Guarding guys, no fouls, together with me.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/MgTJJvKjz9
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
The Suns solely wanted considered one of them to achieve their common. Only one. Booker has been in a tug of battle with officers for what is known as on one facet and never for him on the opposite.
As for Beal, he appeared to only fade to the facet on the three as a substitute of going straight up and down.
Defensively, Phoenix provides up the lane too simply, whether or not it is on downhill assaults or well timed offensive rebounds. The Warmth completed with 62 factors within the paint, scored 20 factors on quick break and 19 off 14 Phoenix turnovers.
The Warmth usually are not an awesome staff, however they’re lively. The Suns did not match that exercise by permitting Miami to shoot 52.3 p.c from the sector.
How the Suns coped with life with out Durant vs. Warmth
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer defined what the Suns are lacking with out Durant and what they should do to win when he is away.
“He creates a lot house for everybody,” Budenholzer mentioned. “His gravitational pull, that alone makes every little thing simpler for our group. You’ll be able to’t recreate that sort of worry that he has. Our consideration to element and spacing most likely must be higher, our choice. All of the little issues who come into Possibly it is with Kevin there that he will get a lot consideration.”
It is simply on offense.
“Defensively, he helps us,” Budenholzer continued. “We have now to discover a strategy to shield the rim and rebound and make these performs. I really feel like he made loads of successful performs. Different guys need to discover a strategy to step up and make doing this stuff. We have been shut. I believe we simply need to maintain working, maintain pushing.
So let’s recap.
“I am going to look again on my makes an attempt. On a few of them I really feel like I used to be fouled earlier within the match which may throw off your rhythm, however simply look again and to enhance your self.”
Devin Booker 6 of 16 in Suns’ loss to Warmth. Face the magic on Sunday.
He additionally defined how he was refereed this 12 months. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Mkt2dJvvg7
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
Offensively, the Suns moved the ball on doubles and constantly discovered the open man going 11 of 24 from 3 within the first half. They dedicated simply six turnovers which led to only 5 Miami factors within the first half.
In order that they moved the ball, protected it, had good spacing and made Miami pay.
Then within the second, they have been solely 5 of 17. When the photographs aren’t falling, the protection can actually give attention to limiting every little thing else, however the ball motion and spacing wasn’t the identical neither.
The spacing modifications if Booker or Beal does it offensively.
“For those who take a look at every little thing about Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, they’re going to have some downhill assaults.” Devin Booker.
On Jimmy Butler 3: “On paper, you’d need him to take that shot, but it surely was slightly too comfy. Grayson (Allen) could not fairly shut out.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/uQeVCpmeQ8
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
Defensively, Phoenix as soon as once more didn’t defend the paint. Durant would have a minimum of contested a number of photographs and rebounded to chop down on Miami’s prolonged possessions. He would seemingly face powerful Butler within the fourth.
The Warmth began to actually assault with Adebayo and Butler. Adebayo has grow to be one of many major gamers because of the fixed enchancment in his general sport.
He can now knock down the bounce shot and be assured sufficient to take that fourth 3 after lacking 3 in a row and provides Miami an eight-point lead with 5:39 to play.
Josh Okogie offered instantaneous protection ending the sport with three blocks, however Budenholzer had scorching fingers with Allen and O’Neale.
O’Neale is what Dunn might be
Royce O’Neale joked earlier within the season that Ryan Dunn did not ask him any extra questions since he began — with Dunn inside earshot.
Dunn’s response, raised eyebrows and all, was priceless, however the veteran went on to say he was eager to provide him recommendation and maintain his confidence excessive.
“It doesn’t suggest something to me after we misplaced. I simply belief the work.”
Royce O’Neale on his career-high 23 factors within the Suns’ loss to the Warmth.
On the Suns who gave up 62 factors within the paint: “They attacked the basket. We nonetheless have to assist one another, shield the paint.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/gcwp08gMMo
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
Dunn has missed the final two video games with left ankle soreness, hoping it is a “short-term” factor based on Budenholzer’s pregame.
O’Neale was as soon as Dunn, a rookie seeking to make an impression on the defensive finish, however he has grow to be a 3-and-D man. That is what Dunn might be if he improves his 3-point taking pictures.
The rookie has the protection down. He is extra athletic than O’Neale, however he clearly lacks expertise and three. The rookie is at 31 p.c whereas O’Neale entered Saturday’s sport with a career-high 42.5 p.c. .
That may improve after his 5-of-8 effort on Saturday. If Dunn can frequently enhance to 37% over, say, the subsequent three years, and he continues to work on his protection, he’ll be properly on his strategy to turning into that 3-and-D man.
Dunn is extra athletic than O’Neale, which ought to result in extra transition buckets in addition to dribbling alternatives, however what he can get from O’Neale is the flexibility to maneuver to get the open 3.
Do you have got any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text was initially printed on Arizona Republic: What we discovered because the Suns are actually 1-8 with out Durant after their loss to the Warmth
