Who: Phoenix Suns (1-0) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (1-1)
When: 12:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada
Watch: Arizona Family Sports, ESPN2
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns showcased their elite level of size and athleticism (for Summer League) against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night in a dramatic come-from-behind victory. There was the predictable summer league slop in the first half with both teams struggling to get any type of rhythm on offense, but the second half looked
a little more like NBA-style basketball. The three young franchise building blocks all performed well, which should be exciting for Suns fans, because Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koa Peat need to develop for the long-term health of the organization.
Maluach, Fleming, and Peat also showed their flaws. Maluach committed seven turnovers, Fleming was 0-for-4 from 3 and passed up multiple wide-open looks, and Peat didn’t take a 3-point shot, along with his shot mechanics looking questionable at best. This trio is extremely talented, but also flawed, and summer league is the perfect place to improve upon these flaws.
What was most exciting about watching this trio was how well they played defensively and how dominant the interior defense was. The second-half defense was the catalyst for the Suns coming back from down 16 and ultimately leading by as many as 10 points in the second half. All three players blocked shots, forced turnovers, and ultimately suffocated the Trail Blazers offense. How this trio improves on offense collectively is the biggest storyline to watch for the rest of summer league.
Probable Starters
Suns
- Khaman Maluach
- Koa Peat
- Rasheer Fleming
- Koby Brea
- Darius Brown II
Pelicans
- Hunter Dickinson
- Jalon Moore
- Micah Peavy
- Kobe Bufkin
- Markquis Nowell
Injury Report
Suns
- Nothing reported
Pelcians
- Nothing reported
What to Watch For
The Suns will not face any high-level prospects from the Pelicans, as both Jeremiah Fears and Derek Queen are not playing in summer league. Instead, it will be against a group of college All-Stars with Hunter Dickinson, Markquis Nowell, and Micah Peavy leading the way, along with Kobe Bufkin, a former first-round pick. The Suns have a size and athleticism advantage and should dominate the glass and the paint against the Pelicans.
In their game against Portland, Phoenix committed 20 turnovers, with Maluach turning it over seven times himself. Look for Maluach and the Suns to eliminate many of the sloppy plays they made against the Blazers, and for the Suns’ core trio, plus Kobe Brea, to play much more connected and error-free. Speaking of Brea, he struggled from the floor against Portland, and it was Jevonte Cook who scored 21 points off the bench for Phoenix, including a prolific 3-point shooting performance. Can Brea bounce back after a slow first game?
Prediction
As little value as there is in the final score of these summer league games, this Suns team can, and should, dominate the Pelicans because of their athleticism. The Suns win this game 93-80, and Kobe Brea will lead the team in scoring. But the story of the game will be Koa Peat putting up another repeat performance that makes him look like one of the biggest steals in the NBA draft.
