Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 9: 12-18 December 2022
Week Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 18-12. 4th in the Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
L - 97 - 111 Vs Houston Rockets
W - 111 - 95 Vs LA Clippers
W - 118 - 114 Vs New Orleans Pelicans
We're going to start this week's Roundup with some live footage of me waking up to see Book's 58 points performance:
Booker set a new season high of 58 points against the Pelicans and it couldn't have come at a better time either. After getting hammered by the Pelicans twice last week, it was great to finish the season series with a big W, to even it at 2-apiece.
In the first half, it looked as if it was going to be the same outcome as last week, with the Suns being down by 17 after two quarters and then 24 mid-way through the 3rd. However, Devin Booker decided that the Suns weren't going to have the same outcome. This sentence from Kellan Olson's write-up of the game is just mid-blowing:
"After a 13-0 run in the mid-third quarter that put Phoenix within 11, Booker scored the Suns’ next 25 points. It was that zone we’ve seen him reach about a dozen times eight years in, where shots from anywhere on the floor at whatever angle were going in."
When you look at the box score stats, the Pelicans had all the ingredients for a win, but Booker, just didn't let that happen. It was a Superstar, MVP-like performance from him.
Right, lets look back at the other 2 games from the week. The ever boisterous Rockets took us to town again. The Suns shot a dismal 32% overall and just 25% from 3. We were already without Book in the game, as he rested a sore hamstring, but in the game we lost Ayton and Payne to injury. So far they've missed the rest all the games this week.
Anyway on to the Clippers game. Things didn't look great with all the guys we were missing, but then the Clippers decided to rest pretty much everyone. It was Book's return game and although he struggled, just having him on the court brought a spark. Mikal led the way with 27 points on 61% shooting, but the biggest story was the hustle and energy brought to the game by Okogie and Landale, who both had a double-double off the bench. the blowout win was exactly what the Suns needed to end the 5-game losing streak.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 28.0 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 5.8 Assists, 0.9 Steal, 47.7 FG%, 37.0 3PT FG% & 2.5 Turnovers
Deandre Ayton - 17.0 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, 2.2 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.8 Blocks, 61.9 FG%, 28.6 3PT FG% & 2.0 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 11.1 Points, 4.9 Rebounds, 9.0 Assists, 1.5 Steals, 38.8 FG%, 34.3 3PT FG% & 2.0 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Bismack Biyombo
Bizy has filled in admirably for the injured Deandre Ayton this past week. He's always a solid hand setting picks, blocking shots and hauling in rebounds, but he's been excellent over the last few games.
The numbers aren't eye-popping, but I like to show off the guys from every part of the roster.
His stats for the week:
7.7 Points, 5.7 Rebounds (2.3 Offensive), 1.3 Assists, 1.7 Blocks & 83.3 FG%.
Josh Okogie
Once again the numbers aren't huge and he isn't shooting the ball at a high percentage, but Okogie has used hustle and energy to carve out a place in the rotation.
His performance against the Clippers was the highlight this week, as he certainly lived up to his "Non-Stop" nickname. He filled the stat sheet with an 11 point, 11 rebound double-double, including 5 offensive, which is the most be any Sun other than Ayton this season.
His stats for the week:
9.3 Points, 7.7 Rebounds (3.7 Offensive), 2.0 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 1.3 Blocks, 45.0 FG% & 25.0 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Landry Shamet
He has 1 job one this team and that's to be a sharp shooter and well, he's completely failing at it. I keep seeing his name in trade package ideas, but really, what's his value at this point?
His stats for the week:
7.7 Points, 2.0 Rebounds, 3.3 Assists, 1 Steal, 26.9 FG% & 18.8 3PT FG%.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Devin Booker vs New Orleans Pelicans
Game stat line:
58 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 21/35 FGs (60.0%) & 6/12 3PT FGs (50.0%).
Honourable mentions:
Chris Paul vs New Orleans Pelicans
Game stat line:
18 Points, 5 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 6/11 FGs (54.5%) & 5/7 3PT FGs (71.4%).
Mikal Bridges vs LA Clippers
Game stat line:
27 Points, 6 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks, 11/18 FGs (61.1%) & 2/5 3PT FGs (40.0%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 4 games this week, with only 1, Christmas day's game against Denver, being on the road.
I'm feeling confident going in to this week, now that the losing streak is behind us.
First up we have our good pals the Lakers coming to town. They're playing better than the last time we faced them, but they're still one of the lower ranked teams in the West. Shams Charania also announced on Sunday that Anthony Davis will miss at least a month with a foot injury.
The Wizards are currently missing Bradley Beal, but the interesting story here will be Kuzma, who has been linked to the Suns a lot in recent weeks as a Crowder replacement. They've only won 11 of their 30 games so far (as of writing) and are on a 10-game losing streak.
The Grizzlies look to be our toughest match-up of the week and it's always exciting to see Ja Morant play. Ja is averaging just under 27 points and 8 assists and the Grizzlies sit a game clear at the top of the West, while also being the number 1 rebounding team in the league.
Finally on Christmas day, our 2nd Christmas day game in a row after none for 12 years. We'll be on the road in Denver, who of course are led by 2-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. He has Jamal Murray back this season, be he is not at his pre-injury level yet, so Jokic is leading them by averaging nearly a triple-double on 24, 10 & 9. They're currently sitting 3rd in the West.
Predictions:
It's going to be a tough week, but I think we can go 3-1, with the 1 loss coming against the Grizzlies.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Scoring Record
Booker's 58 points set a new scoring record in the Footprint Center. No one else has ever scored more in that arena.
All-Star Voting
NBA All-Star voting opens on Tuesday 20th December. Remember to support your Suns and vote for our top guys.
My ballots will have Book, DA, Mikal & CP3 on them.
🚨 You can also use the code 'SUNSFANSUK' on The Throwback Store to receive a 10% discount on any order you make 🚨
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