Who: Phoenix Suns (28-19) vs. Detroit Pistons (34-11)
When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center – Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The
Suns are looking to take another game without Devin Booker. This time, it comes against a much stronger foe in the East-leading Detroit Pistons. These teams recently met in Detroit in a game that Devin Booker did not suit up in, and fell in a thriller, 108-105.
Detroit is opening as a -5.5 favorite, and looking to extend its win streak to three games and secure its 35th win of the season.
It’s Dillon “The Villain” Brooks night in Mortgage Matchup Arena tonight, with the first 5,000 fans receiving that awesome shirt in one of the best giveaways in recent memory.
The Oregon product had his THIRD technical of the season rescinded yesterday, the second time by Curtis Blair. Let’s hope the officials do not become a factor by blatantly targeting Brooks in this one again. They’re going to need him without Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Also, can we get fewer reviews, please and thank you! Signed, all Suns fans.
Probable Starters
PHOENIX
- Mark Williams
- Royce O’Neale
- Dillon Brooks
- Grayson Allen
- Jordan Goodwin
DETROIT
- Jalen Duren
- Tobias Harris
- Duncan Robinson
- Ausar Thompson
- Cade Cunningham
Injury Report
Suns
- Devin Booker — OUT (Ankle)
- Collin Gillespie — QUESTIONABLE (Wrist)
- Jalen Green — OUT (Hamstring)
- Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)
Pistons
- Caris LeVert — QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
What to Watch For
For the Suns, it will boil down to containing Cade Cunningham just as they did the last time these teams met. Insert Jordan Goodwin.
Detroit may have pulled off the 3-point home win against a shorthanded Suns squad, but Phoenix led most of that game and pushed them to the wire. Jordan Goodwin did an incredible job of pressuring Cade that game, and the team’s defensive game plan was sharp. He shot 3 of 16 with 5 turnovers and just 10 points in 38 minutes.
Detroit has role players that can make you pay if you leave them open. Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, and even Jaden Ivey can get hot in a hurry, as we saw him pour in 15 points in just 17 minutes against the Suns in their last meeting.
Phoenix will also need to rebound the ball against a big, physical Detroit frontline. They have positional size and versatility across the board.
Keys to a Suns Win
The most glaring weakness from the Suns of late has been their spotty three-point shooting. They have connected on 12 of their last 55 attempts from deep, good for 21% three-point shooting during their past two games. It’s a miracle they split those games.
They have been one of the more consistent shooting squads in the association this season, too. They’ll need to snap out of it to have any shot against a tough Pistons squad, especially with Devin Booker out of the lineup again. Collin Gillespie is questionable… and boy, do they need him.
This is the first game of a back-to-back, which Jordan Ott addressed when talking about Jalen Green’s progress. We are likely going to see Ott play this cautiously, with him sitting the first of a back-to-back, then possibly suiting up tomorrow against the Cavs. Luckily, it’s a back-to-back where both games are at home.
We all know it’s going to be a physical game any time you play against this Pistons squad. Suns big man Oso Ighodaro said, “I think we can still be true to our identity and not go over the line, but we’re never going to let anyone push us around.”
Match and exceed their physicality. Knock down threes. Play hard. Contain Cade.
If the Phoenix Suns do those four things, they have a chance to “upset” the East-leading Pistons.
Prediction
The Suns play the Pistons tough again, but run out of fuel at the end. Prove me wrong, Suns.
Suns 111, Pistons 117
