Who: Golden State Warriors (13-14) @ Phoenix Suns (14-12)
When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7, KSUN
The Phoenix Suns and
Golden State Warriors are set to meet for the second time this season. The last meeting was in early November in the Bay Area, where the Warriors took down the Suns 118-107 to drop Phoenix to 3-5 on the season. Dillon Brooks didn’t suit up in that one, so it should be interesting to see him and Draymond Green potentially go at it.
Each of these teams has dropped its last two games, so they’ll be looking to right the ship and get back on track. Phoenix has lost five of its last seven contests, going through this brutal stretch of the schedule as a “reward” for its performance in the NBA Cup.
The Suns have had a few days to recalibrate after their frustrating (and suspect) loss to the Lakers in Phoenix on Sunday night. This game marks the first of a two-game set against the Warriors, with the next one coming on Saturday in the Bay Area. Their next opponent? The same Lakers team they’ve faced twice already this month, followed by a back-to-back against the Pelicans. These schedule makers, man… (yes, part of it was the Cup).
Anyway, back to Jordan Ott and co. preparing for this game and defending Steph
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Knee Soreness)
Isaiah Livers — OUT (Right Hip Strain)
Warriors
Al Horford — OUT (Back)
Pat Spencer — OUT (Personal)
What to Watch For
How does Devin Booker settle in during his second game back from injury? He poured in 27 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in the loss to the Lakers on Sunday and will look to build off that in this one. Booker had 38 points against the Warriors in their first meeting on November 4th.
The Suns are 8-5 at home this season, and Golden State is just 6-10 on the road. Phoenix will need to continue to protect its home floor in a tight Western Conference.
How does Phoenix plan for the Warriors defensively? Jordan Ott will get his second crack at figuring out how to best disrupt an inconsistent but dangerous Golden State offense. Despite the loss to the Blazers in their last game, Curry exploded for 48 points and 12 threes.
Key to a Suns Win
Phoenix needs to get off to a good start, plain and simple.
Last time these teams met, the Warriors won the first quarter by 14 points, and despite the Suns’ best effort to fight back, they fell short. The Suns need to push the pace, as a slower game favors the Warriors based on their recent track record. They’ve allowed 136 and 127 points in their back-to-back losses, while holding their opponents to under 100 points in their last two wins.
Slowing down Steph is the obvious analysis that anyone could tell you, but that may not even be their game plan. If Phoenix funnels the offense through him and him alone while effectively taking Jimmy and others out of the gameflow, it may not matter how many points Steph drops. Of course, the Suns will aim to make it tough for Steph, but if their team defense is on point and they can limit the damage from the Golden State role players, they’ll be in great shape.
If Phoenix plays its game early and often, controlling the tempo, they have a great shot to take this one.
Prediction
I’m taking Phoenix here, but the Warriors won’t make it easy.
Suns 117, Warriors 110
