San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns
January 21, 2016 9:30 p.m. Spurs Time
TV: TNT - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI
One benefit of Phoenix's calamitous season is that it's allowed them to fully explore what they have in their 13th overall pick, Devin Booker. With the injury to Eric Bledsoe and the lowered expectations for the season, Booker's become the silver lining in the Suns' cloud-blotted sky.
Injuries and friction between ownership and hotheaded forward Markieff Morris have plagued this Suns team, which has now lost 14 of its last 15 games and held teams to below 97 points just once in 20 games. While there is some talent on the roster, the way it's all been slapped together doesn't seem to make sense. This timeline of doomed front-office moves from BSotS chronicles things very well.
But as Phoenix proved against Indiana on Tuesday, teams should take no lead or scheduled win for granted. The Suns nearly erased a 20-point deficit against the Pacers, making it close in the final minutes. They were led by their promising Millennial Booker, who became the third youngest player in NBA history to score over 30 in a game. He did so not only from three-point range (where he's already shown to be dangerous), but on back-cuts, drives to the hoop and playing off the pick and roll. His potential alone makes the Suns an intriguing watch.
The Suns have a number of players who are dinged up at the moment, including Morris (shoulder), Mirza Teletovic (ankle), T.J. Warren (knee) and Jon Leuer (back), while the Spurs will be without Tony Parker who's again bothered by his hip. It appears at this point that Parker resting is more precautionary than something more serious, as this should in theory be an easy win for a tested San Antonio team that's won 11 straight.
Matchup to watch: Starting backcourts. The Spurs' first unit should be able to build a lead that the bench will be able to extend. The counter to that would be if Phoenix's guards, who both need just a little daylight to fire away, get hot from deep.
vs. |
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San Antonio Spurs (Record: 36-6) |
Phoenix Suns (Record: 13-30) |
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January 21, 2016 |
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Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ |
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9:30 PM CDT |
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TV: TNT |
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Starters |
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Patty Mills |
PG |
Brandon Knight |
Danny Green |
SG |
Devin Booker |
Kawhi Leonard |
SF |
P.J. Tucker |
LaMarcus Aldridge |
PF |
Markieff Morris* |
Tim Duncan |
C |
Tyson Chandler |
Game prediction: Spurs by 19.
For the Suns fans' perspective, visit Bright Side of the Sun.
As always Tony must dominate Fisher.