Who: Phoenix Suns (2-4) vs. San Antonio Spurs (5-0)
When: 6:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The San Antonio Spurs are for real and are undefeated for a reason. Victor Wembanyama is on his way to being the best player in the known universe. Stephon Castle, after winning the Rookie of the Year last season, has taken another leap and is showcasing his elite skill and athleticism. The Spurs lead the league
in margin of victory and scoring defense this season.
The Suns have been a different team since Mark Williams debuted in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing in the final minute against the Grizzlies and dominated the Utah Jazz on Halloween. Devin Booker and the Suns will need to get to a different level than what they have showed all season to beat the Spurs both offensively and defensively.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Jalen Green — OUT (Hamstring)
- Dillon Brooks — OUT (Core Muscle Strain)
- Isaiah Livers — DTD (Right Hip Contusion)
Spurs
- De’Aaron Fox— OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
- Luke Kornet — OUT (Left Ankle Sprain)
- Kelly Olynik — OUT (Left Heel Surgery)
- Jeremy Sochan — OUT (Left Wrist Sprain)
- Lindsey Waters III — OUT (Eye Injury)
What to Watch For
Who will guard Victor Wembanyama for the Suns? That is the biggest question in this game. Mark Williams will likely start on Wembanyama and Oso Ighodaro, with his footspeed making the most sense off the bench. The Suns. Could we see a Khaman Maluach appearance in the rotation for the first time all season? That would be one way to welcome the kid to the NBA.
Offensively, Devin Booker has been the hub for the Suns’ offense this season.
Will he continue to create opportunities for his team against the best defense in the NBA? The Suns will need Booker to match Wembanyama with a dominant performance to have a chance in this one.
Key to a Suns Win
The Phoenix Suns are second in the NBA in 3-point attempts at 45.7 per game and 3-point makes at 16.0 per game. However, they are only league average at 35% from the 3-point line early in the season. They will need to shoot better than 40% from 3 this season to stretch out San Antonio’s defense to create opportunities inside against the Spurs. Scoring points in the paint is challenging against Wembanyama and the Spurs, so the Suns will have to take advantage of those opportunities present themselves.
Defensively, the Suns have to force turnovers. Phoenix is second in the NBA in turnovers forced per game at 17.2. While San Antonio is the much taller and longer team, Phoenix’s scrappy defenders should find ways to get into San Antonio’s ball handlers and create opportunities to score easy points off turnovers to keep pace.
Prediction
The Suns will take more steps in the right direction as a franchise, but lose another close game because they do not have the personnel to stop this Spurs team, yet.
San Antonio 115, Phoenix 110
