Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 14: 22 March - 28 March 2021
Week Record: 3-1
Overall Record: 31-14. 2nd in Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
W - 110 - 100 Vs Miami Heat
L - 111 - 112 Vs Orlando Magic
W - 104 - 100 Vs Toronto Raptors
W - 101 - 97 VS Charlotte Hornets
Though the last 2 wins of the week were not pretty, you have to say this was a successful road trip. We end the week and trip going 3-1, which is what I expected, though I thought we'd pick up the loss in Miami, but it was their neighbours in Orlando that gave us the L this week.
I liked Monty's quote after the Raptors game, "I'd rather have an ugly win than a pretty loss" That quote sums up quite a lot of our season to be fair.
Though I thought it'd be the tough game, the Miami game ended up being the easiest one, with Book & CP3 only playing 3 quarters. Though the score line shows a 10 point win, it was actually a blowout, with the score only getting that close in the dying moments of garbage time - good stuff.
On to Orlando where, as I mentioned last week, was the centre of trade rumours. That team probably felt like they had a point to prove and that they did. They fought back from a double digit deficit in the 3rd. The game came down to the last couple of plays, as we went cold in the 4th and Orlando came out on top.
Not much to say about the Toronto game. Both teams seemed lacked any semblance of energy and were freezing cold in the 4th quarter. We were able to hold on at the end for the win.
The Hornets game was two contrasting styles coming together. Our slow, methodical pace vs their high flying, off the dribble 3 pointing display.
Though we were tied at the half and holding 9 point lead heading in to the 4th, it always felt like the momentum was with the Hornets.
We went completely cold in the 4th quarter, fumbling and turning the ball over, while Charlotte hit contested, in transition 3's and threw down momentum building dunks. Their style took over the 4th. Our offense seemed to go out the window and we resorted to Booker isolation ball, which quite frankly wasn't working at all.
The overtime period was another story in terms of style, though we still relied on iso-ball a bit too much in my opinion, we completely controlled the pace. We stopped Charlotte's momentum dead and ground out the win with tough defence. A couple of times Monty had Bridges, Crowder and Craig on the court together, to help get stops. Both teams only managed 1 field goal in overtime, but we were able to get 8 points at the free throw line, whereas Charlotte only managed 4.
For me the biggest problems we faced this week was cold 4th quarters and a lack of production from "the others" as Shaq would say. Meaning our role players (more on that in the Struggling Suns section).
In the last 3 games, in the 4th, we have shot 20 of 68 (29.4%) from the field and 5 of 25 (20%) from 3. Maybe you can say it's because we were on the road, but we've had a lot of stretches like this throughout the season. Hopefully being back at home for the next 3 will help us get our eyes in again.
Superstar Watch:
Booker - 25.1 Points, 4.1 Rebounds, 4.6 Assists, 0.9 Steals, 49.0 FG%, 35.1 3PT FG%, 3.3 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 16.0 Points, 4.7 Rebounds, 8.5 Assists, 1.4 Steals 48.1 FG%, 36.4 3PT FG%, 2.3 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Deandre Ayton
Has getting away from Phoenix and a new born baby rejuvenated DA? It sure seems that way. Here are his key numbers from this week's games:
17 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks, 66.7 FG%
21 points, 9 rebounds, 66.7 FG%
19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 75 FG%
14 points, 14 rebounds, 54.5 FG%
For the week Ayton averaged:
17.8 Points, 12 Rebounds, 1.3 Blocks & 66.0 FG%
Honourable Mention:
Torrey Craig
Our newest addition has been a pleasant surprise. Monty Williams gave Craig some good minutes off the bench this week and he delivered.
In 18 minutes he averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 52 FG% & 45.5 3PT FG% on just under 3 attempts per game.
Struggling Suns:
Role Players
It's been a rough week for the likes of Crowder, Johnson, Payne & Saric.
The shooting numbers:
Crowder - 37.1 FG% & 30.0 3PT FG%
Johnson - 33.3 FG% & 23.5 3PT FG%
Payne - 31.8 FG% & 10.0 3PT FG%
Saric - 29.2 FG% & 00.0 3PT FG%
These are our main bench guys and when seeing these numbers I'm surprised that we came away with a winning record this past week.
Stat Line of the Week:
Deandre Ayton (again) Vs Miami Heat
DA was key to this win and continued the good showing he began the week before.
For the game his full stat line was:
17 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks, 8/12 FG (66.7%)
Honourable mention:
Mikal Bridges Vs Charlotte Hornets
It was a career night for Mikal, as he had 6 steals, but dude was everywhere in this game:
13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals & 1 block
Videos provided by The Timeline: A Phoenix Suns Channel
Rookie Watch:
Jalen Smith - 1 game this week.
Smith only played 1:23 minutes during garbage time of the Miami game. He added no stats to the box score at all.
Season Stats
15 Games, 4.4 mpg, 1.3 Points, 1.0 Rebounds, 0.1 Assists, 0.1 Blocks, 38.1 FG%
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week all at home.
First up this week is the recently improved Atlanta Hawks (23-22). Since changing coaches, with Nate McMillan taking the reigns, they had an impressive 8 game win streak, but have come back down to earth a bit, going 2-3 on their current road trip. They are still 8-2 in their last 10 games, even with this blip. Should be a fun game, but we will have our hands full slowing down Trae Young and keep Capela off the boards.
Next we have the remodelled Chicago Bulls (19-25). They acquired All-Star Center Nikola Vucevic. The Suns were linked to Vucevic (though I think this was just in some fan's fantasies) and he was part of the Orlando team we lost to last week. We've defeated the Bulls once this season and a win here sweeps the season series.
OKC (19-25) are in full rebuild mode, if that wasn't already obvious, but it was announced this week that they have agreed that Al Horford will not play anymore minutes for the rest of the season, allowing the team to develop their young players. OKC took the W in our last match-up, but they'll be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and we'll be looking to grab a win here.
On paper we can got 3-0 this week, but I think we could drop a game to Atlanta or Chicago, so I'm predicting a 2-1 week.
Any Other Business:
Trade Deadline
The trade deadline came and went, without the Suns getting involved. I'm not too mad, because I like our team and was hoping we could pick up a big guy in the buyout market.
I was a bit bummed to see the low cost it took Denver to get JaVale McGee. If you've been around me at all this season, you'll know I wanted him on this team badly. We could have easily matched the package that Denver sent the Cavs way.
As predicted the Spurs were unable to find a trade for LaMarcus Aldridge, so he was bought out. Apparently he spoke with the Suns among other teams, but ultimately chose the Nets. It's well known that he wants a big role on a Playoff team and with Ayton on our team, maybe that put him off.
We then heard news that Gorgi Dieng had been bought out by Memphis. Suns Twitter came alive as most fans wanted to see him join the Suns. He would certainly have addressed our 3rd big man need and wouldn't have commanded a large role, like LMA. Shams announced that he had chose to sign with San Antonio though, so we missed out again or maybe James Jones just hasn't been interested in either of these guys.
Lastly Andre Drummond signed with the Lakers, as suspected. I'm happy that he didn't come our way, as to me he's just a stat padder who doesn't like defending. Like Aldridge he wants a big role for his next contract and he'll get the starting nod over Gasol in LA.
Booker Climbs in ANOTHER All-Time Suns Lists
This time it was 3 point shooting for the 2 time All-Star. In Sunday's game in Charlotte he passed Leandro Barbosa to become 3rd on the Suns All-Time 3-point field goals made list. He now only trails Dan Majerle (2nd) and Steve Nash (1st)
Who Needs Homecourt Advantage?
After the 3-1 week we had on this eastern road trip, the Suns increased their road record to an NBA best 16-6.
This just shows how focused and professional this team is. It probably helps that there's virtually no fans hurling abuse at them while playing in other team's arenas.
Go On My Suns!
This past Friday we held our 4th Go On My Suns! Instagram Live show. This week we met Dan and announced the winner of our 500 Twitter followers giveaway.
Joe Slater (@joeslaterwba) was the lucky winner and will be receiving his custom mug from @MugNFL very soon.
You can catch the replay on our Instagram page - make sure you're following to be notified when we go live.
This coming week we hope to have another guest, so come over and join us. We'll be back this Friday at 7PM (UK time).
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