THE Phoenix Suns gained its second straight recreation Sunday, beating Portland, 116-109, in entrance of a sold-out crowd of 17,071 on the Footprint Heart to open a three-game homestand.
Devin Booker scored a document 28 factors whereas main the Suns (14-11), winners at Utah on Friday.
Kevin Durant scored 20 factors regardless of taking pictures 1-of-9 from 3 whereas Tyus Jones continued to remain aggressive, scoring 19 factors for a second straight recreation after delivering 21 in final week’s loss at Orlando.
However what do the 2 victories in opposition to Portland and Utah actually imply?
The Suns (14-11) have been as soon as once more with out Bradley Beal, who missed a second straight recreation with swelling in his proper knee. Phoenix is hoping the three days between Sunday’s win and Thursday’s recreation in opposition to Indiana will serve Beal nicely in his return from harm.
“It’s not for the weak, nevertheless it’s the best job on the planet.”
Tyus Jones set to play as Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praised him earlier than the sport.
Final 3 matches:
21 pts (5 out of 8 to three), 6 assists.
19 pts (5 out of seven to three), 11 assists.
19 pts (3-of-3 on 3s) 4 assists. #Suns pic.twitter.com/tqdrTm1CZV
-Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2024
Phoenix had misplaced three straight with out Durant, who was sidelined with a sprained left ankle, earlier than profitable the final two, however the victories got here in opposition to groups with sub-.500 data. .
The Jazz (5-19) have the second-worst document within the West whereas the Blazers (8-10) have the third-worst document within the convention. The Suns are anticipated to win these video games by extra snug margins.
The Suns rediscovered profitable methods with out one among their greatest gamers in Beal, however their final two wins got here in opposition to two unhealthy groups when it comes to document. They are going to be favorites of their subsequent two video games Thursday in opposition to Indiana (12-15) and Saturday in opposition to Detroit (10-16) to conclude a three-game homestand.
Phoenix’s subsequent actual check comes Dec. 23 in Denver, a workforce it’ll face once more two days later at dwelling on Christmas to conclude a five-game NBA vacation slate. The Nuggets (13-10) fell to the lowly Washington Wizards, however responded with a 30-point street demolition of Atlanta and a 22-point dwelling win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Nikola Jokic had 56 factors, 16 rebounds and eight assists in opposition to the Wizards within the loss. Subsequent recreation in Atlanta, 48 factors, 14 rebounds and eight assists within the second of a back-to-back. Actually insane efforts from the three-time NBA MVP.
Listed here are three takeaways from Phoenix’s seven-point victory because the Suns led by 16 factors.
Dangerous begin, finish of second half for the Suns
A win is a win, nevertheless it ought to have been a cushty victory that Booker and Durant watched late from the bench.
Phoenix as an alternative surrendered an 11-0 run to Portland to begin the second half with a rating of 62-57, with 9:44 on the clock within the third quarter. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer jumped off the bench to name a timeout after Shaedon Sharpe stole Jusuf Nurkic’s lazy crossover cross for a transition dunk to present the Blazers a 62-57 lead.
The Suns regained the lead and entered fourth, 83-79, as Booker scored 12 of his 28 factors within the third, however they discovered themselves in a recreation that by no means ought to have been this shut.
That is nothing new for the Suns.
Their response within the fourth confirmed what they wanted to do in opposition to groups like Portland. They took benefit of excessive display screen coverages and rolled with Durant and Booker going up 16 factors with 5:57 to play.
It ought to have been over, nevertheless it wasn’t as a result of Phoenix tends to make the sport fascinating when it would not have to be, even in opposition to a Portland workforce that was with out Deandre Ayton and had not too long ago misplaced to the Jazz by 42 factors at dwelling.
“I want to be just a little cleaner within the final two minutes nevertheless it’s a great victory.”
Mike Budenholzer after the Suns’ 116-109 victory over the Blazers.
On Devin Booker, 28 factors comply with at 34 factors Friday in Utah: “He had a great rhythm. I feel the little break was good for him.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/7KZDxiN7Sb
-Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2024
Nurkic combined bag
Jusuf Nurkic mentioned after his 12-point taking pictures on 6-of-7 taking pictures in Friday’s win over Utah, he was uninterested in individuals telling him easy methods to play.
He had a double-double of 10 factors and 14 rebounds in his second recreation after lacking 5 with a proper thigh contusion. Nurkic strikes nicely, ending across the rim, however has dedicated 5 of Phoenix’s 11 turnovers.
Two of them appeared on unlawful screens. He began placing the ball on the ground once more greater than desired whereas attempting to attain on 7-foot Blazers rookie Donovan Clingan, however had a stable fourth quarter of seven factors, six rebounds and only one turnover.
“Yeah, he’s huge.”
Kevin Durant on Blazers rookie Donovan Clingan.
“One time I went down within the paint, simply him and me. I am considering to myself that is a straightforward pull-up and he simply raised his hand. He did not even leap and it was nonetheless onerous to see the rim.” #Suns #RipCity pic.twitter.com/cKwt3GKWT7
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2024
Budenholzer seems to be sticking to enjoying three bigs: Mason Plumlee, rookie Oso Ighodaro and Nurkic. For a second straight recreation, he introduced on Ighodaro within the first quarter for Nurkic and Plumlee within the second quarter for him.
Plumlee once more completed with extra minutes than Ighodaro (12 to six). Budenholzer mentioned he is going to determine who to play within the second half, however he has the posh of going with one or the opposite if Nurkic is not producing.
Booker finds rhythm after break in motion
Sure, he’s in a rhythm and has shifted the taking pictures key.
Devin Booker adopted up his 34 performs on Friday with 28 extra on Sunday with stable photographs in each wins.
He is 20 of 41 from the sphere in Phoenix’s latest video games, going 10 of 21 from 3 after going 5 of 21 from distance through the three-game street journey.
“Simply hold taking pictures. Make the photographs. Belief the work. Simply discover the circulate. Make sure that our spacing is true.”
Devin Booker 34 and 28 factors within the final two video games in wins at Utah and in opposition to Portland.
10 of 21 from 3 in his final two video games after 5 of 21 from 3 throughout an 0-3 street journey. #Suns pic.twitter.com/mJZ3nToDcW
-Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2024
Budenholzer thinks Booker took benefit of the 4 days between Orlando’s loss and Utah’s win.
I rested just a little.
Wait a minute. I simply discover that Booker has performed each recreation thus far this season. He needed to carry the load, with Durant and Beal lacking a number of stretches of video games.
Up to now, Booker has missed video games early within the season, however has stayed wholesome and performed by means of an sickness. The Suns wanted his sturdiness, however he acquired criticism from some Suns followers who mentioned he was washed out.
No. Possibly he simply wanted a break. Durant’s return helps give him extra space to work with, however Booker has not solely scored nicely, however has solely recorded two whole turnovers within the final two video games after committing 11 on this street journey.
Do you could have any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Comply with him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text was initially printed on Arizona Republic: What do these final two victories actually imply for the Phoenix Suns?
