Who: Phoenix Suns (27-19) vs the Brooklyn Nets (12-32)
When: 9:00 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 bounce back in the Valley after two straight devastating losses in the past few days. They take on the Brooklyn Nets, a team that has struggled this season, but put on a decent show against the Suns in their last meeting. Even if it felt like the Suns were in control of that game
entirely, the Nets did have some runs that made you realize, if they get hot, it could be over here.
Unfortunately for the Suns, the injury bug is still in town after residing in the Valley all season long. Suns star player Devin Booker has already been ruled out due to an ankle injury and will be reevaluated in a week. Their other primary scorer, Jalen Green, also aggravated his hamstring and missed their last contest, too. Hopefully, he can be back to help an offense that struggled without its two best scorers previously.
The Nets are scrappy, though, and have some solid names who have been showing out this season. A guy in Michael Porter Jr. has completely changed the narrative about him offensively in this new role. With Jordi Fernandez being a smart coach as well, this team has outdone expectations each season and could pull a fast one on the Suns fans while on the road.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Devin Booker — OUT (Ankle)
- Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)
- Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)
Nets
- Noah Clowney OUT — (Illness/Back Soreness)
- Tyrese Martin QUESTIONABLE —(Illness/Left Knee Soreness)
- Cam Thomas PROBABLE — (Left Ankle Sprain)
- Nolan Traore PROBABLE — (Illness)
What to Watch For
For the Suns, we will watch to see how this offense looks without its two best scorers. The Suns seemed to struggle in their last matchup against the Heat. The Suns shot only 20% from three in that game, which is concerning given that their three-point shot is a main focal point of their offensive success. The Suns are going to have to be more consistent on that end to keep this game close. If they struggle once again from three, it will be interesting to see how they get the offense going.
For the Nets, it is very similar: will their offense also come alive? In their last game, their offense failed to show up, scoring only 89 points. With the Suns having a top-tier defense, the Nets will likely struggle, just as they have all season. That being said, if the Suns’ offense is not locked in, the defense has to be, for them to ultimately have a fighter’s chance.
Keys to a Suns Win
Even with the Nets’ worst record, this will not be a cakewalk for the Suns. After getting embarrassed on their home court by the Heat and losing that season series, I expect the Suns to bring that same aggression against the Nets. Who cares if the Nets are a bottom-feeder team? Getting a series sweep would boost this team’s morale, which is still looking to rise in the standings.
To accomplish that, the defense will have to be locked in and give them their chance. We all know this team does not give up, and looking for that bounce-back game, they will show that hunger on the court. Having them relentlessly be pests for this Nets offense, forcing turnovers, will help this team get ahead. Then they also have to limit MPJ and make sure he does not have a historic night. If both of those things can come true, the fans should be blessed with a victory to celebrate.
Prediction
Even with all the skepticism coming into this one, the better team will be victorious. That being said, the Suns will win and gain some much-needed momentum heading into the rest of this homestand.
Suns 108, Nets 96
