Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 1: 18-23 October 2022
Week Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 2-1. 3rd in Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
W - 107 - 105 Vs Dallas Mavericks
L - 113 - 111 Vs Portland Trailblazers
W - 112 - 95 Vs LA Clippers
We started the week and the season facing the team that eliminated us from the 2022 Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks. It didn't start great as we dug ourselves a 22-point whole during the 3rd quarter, but the team fought back and tapped in to last season's clutch gene taking the win by 2 points.
Damion Lee was the unlikely hero in this game, scoring all 11 of his points in the 4th quarter, including the contested fadeaway game winner.
Booker led with 28 points and was supported by double-doubles from both Deandre Ayton (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Mikal Bridges (13 points, 11 rebounds).
According to the Suns on Twitter this was our biggest comeback win since 2017.
Next up was the Trailblazers and this game was a lot closer than the Dallas one, so close it went to overtime. It was a bit of a mini duel between Booker and Lillard. Lillard won that battle with 41 points vs Booker's 33. Lillard also had a big influence on the Suns' last chance at pulling out the win, as he made some comments to Deandre Ayton as he went to take the game tying/winning free throws. He'd ultimately miss the 1st free throw and have to deliberately miss the 2nd, hoping the Suns could get the rebound and score. Jock Landale did get the rebound, but missed the put-back.
The Suns could have won this sooner though as they were up by 4 in the last 2 minutes. The Blazers were able to get stops and score on the other end when it mattered most.
I certainly didn't expect a blowout victory, but that's what we got. Booker was the standout, scoring 35 points on just under 62% shooting. The Suns had a 20 point lead at the half and the Clippers would get no closer than 10 with a couple of minutes remaining in the 4th..
No one apart from Booker scored big, with the 2nd leading scorer being Ayton with 13. It was a full team effort though, with 11 of the 12 Suns that played, scoring.
This is good momentum going in to next week, with our first game being the Warriors.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 32.0 Points, 3.3 Rebounds, 5.3 Assists, 0.7 Steal, 53.1 FG%, 52.9 3PT FG% 2.3 Turnovers
Deandre Ayton - 19.0 Points, 8.0 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists, 0.7 Steals, 0.7 Blocks, 59.1 FG% & 50.0 3PT FG%, 3.0 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 7.7 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 10.7 Assists, 2.7 Steals, 32.1 FG%, 0.91 3PT FG%, 2.0 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Devin Booker
Book usually starts the season slowly, picking it up in the new year, but he seems to be in mid-season form already. Look at these numbers from the first 3 games:
28 Points, 4 Rebounds, 9 Assists, 10/20 FGs, 1/1 3-PT FGs
33 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 11/23 FGs, 3/7 3-PT FGs
35 Points, 1 Rebound, 4 Assists, 13/21 FGs, 5/9 3-PT FGs
His stats for the week:
32.0 Points, 3.3 Rebounds, 5.3 Assists, 0.7 Steal, 53.1 FG%, 52.9 3PT FG%.
Deandre Ayton
DA has also got off to a great start, stepping up to be our legit 2nd scoring option. He scored 26 Points in the Blazers game on 22 shots. For some perspective, he didn't crack the 20 field goal attempts mark till March last season.
His stats for the week:
19.0 Points, 8.0 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists, 0.7 Steals, 0.7 Blocks, 59.1 FG% & 50.0 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
CP3
Like many suspected, CP3 is taking a step back on shot attempts, allowing Ayton, Bridges & Johnson some more touches. What wasn't expected though was the poor shooting numbers.
Across our first 3 games Paul has shot 9/28 from the field (32.1%) and 1/11 from 3 (0.91%).
Not sure what's going on here and he has been contributing by raking up assists, but hopefully it's just him getting in to shape and not Father Time finally catching up.
His stats for the week:
7.7 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 10.7 Assists, 2.7 Steals & the above mentions shooting percentages.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Devin Booker Vs LA Clippers
Game stat line:
35 Points, 4 Assists, 13/21 FGs (61.9%), 5/9 3-PT FGs (55.6%).
Deandre Ayton Vs Dallas Mavericks
Game stat line:
18 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal & 8/11 FGs (72.7%).
Honourable mentions:
Mikal Bridges Vs Portland Trailblazers
Game stat line:
13 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assist, 1 Steal & 6/10 FGs (60.0%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week, all at home. They are the first of 6 straight home games.
We welcome the defending NBA champions on Tuesday night, another early season test following the Clippers game. The Warriors are the favourites going in to pretty much any game and that doesn't change here.
The Pelicans have looked great to start the season with Zion back in the fold, though it has been against the Hornets and Jazz. Ingram is looking like he is back in All-Star form and this will be a fun rematch of last year's 1st round Playoff series. The Suns, especially Ayton, are going to have their hands full, but the Pelicans will be potentially missing Ingram and Zion, as they picked up injuries in their loss to the Jazz.
As of writing the Rockets are off to a 0-3 start, which is unsurprising considering their young roster and the teams they faced in week 1 - Hawks, Grizzlies & Bucks. This will hopefully be a rest-bite considering our last 3 opponents.
Predictions:
I think we could lose to the champs in a close one, even after blowing out the Clippers, then win against the Pelicans and Rockets. So, a 2-1 week again.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Booker Climbs the Suns' Ranks
Devin Booker hit another milestone in his Suns career this week. During the Blazers game he passed Steve Nash for 7th for All-Time Field Goals Made for the franchise. Next target on the list is Amar'e Stoudemire with 3,988. Booker only needs XX to pass him.
96
That's how many points Book has scored over the Suns' first 3 games. That is also the most points scored through the first 3 games in Suns History
CP3 - 11,000 Assists
In the Clippers game Chris Paul passed 11,000 assists. He is the 3rd player in NBA history, along with John Stockton and Jason Kidd, to hit the milestone.
Crowder Trade News
Today (Monday) Shams Charania reported via The Athletic that the Suns have been speaking to the Bucks.
I don't think there's anyone from the Bucks bench, apart from Portis (and they won't trade him) that will give us equal value for Jae.
Cam Johnson Injuries
Is Cam Johnson as a starter a cursed situation. He hurt his hand in pre-season, got cramp in game 1 and picked up a knock to the hip in game 2, missing the Clippers game.
Last season when he started, he ended up missing a few weeks following injury as well.
When he has been in the Suns' offense has looked great, so fingers crossed he can get passed these little issues, soon.
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