Around the Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 13

Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.

Week 13: 15-21 January 2024

Week Record: 3-0

Overall Record: 24-18. 7th in the Western Conference.

Games Played and Results:

W - 119 - 117 Vs Sacramento Kings

W - 123 - 109 Vs New Orleans Pelicans

W - 117 - 110 Vs Indiana Pacers

Centre of The Sun

The Suns are back baby and the "Big 3" are living up to that moniker. As a threesome, they've given us 79.3 points per game.

It's been an exciting week, as the Suns won all 3 of their games and roll into Monday's Bulls game on a 5-game win streak.

Our win over the Kings saw KD slide to the 5 spot and lead a 22-point comeback win over the Sacramento Kings. The game also saw an incredible shooting performance from Grayson Allen, who for the second time this season, hit a career and Suns franchise high of 9 3-pointers. It was the statement win that this team needed, to prove to themselves what they're capable of.

Over to New Orleans where Book decided to put on a show to the tune of 52 points. No one on the court was going to stop him and he looked incredible all night. What's crazy is that he his the 52 point mark in the 3rd quarter. Durant added 26 in his usual efficient way and the Pelicans looked outmatched all game.

Facing, Durant decided to post an incredible 40-point game, becoming the only player in Suns history to hit that mark when attempting 0 free throws.

The "Big 3" was on full display in this one, as Book had 26 and Beal added 25. For those that can't be bothered with maths (yes, it's plural in the UK), they scored 91 of the Suns 117 points.

To be fair to the Pacers, they were without Tyrese Haliburton and are still working Pascal Siakam into their line-up after the big trade that went down last week.

Superstar Watch (Season stats):

Devin Booker - 27.0 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 7.7 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 48.4 FG%, 37.1 3PT FG% & 2.8 Turnovers

Kevin Durant - 29.2 Points, 6.3 Rebounds, 5.6 Assists, 0.9 Steals, 1.2 Blocks, 53.2 FG%, 47.0 3PT FG% & 3.2 Turnovers

Bradley Beal - 18.0 Points, 4.1 Rebounds, 3.9 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 51.8 FG%, 38.2 3PT FG% & 2.2 Turnovers

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Scorching Suns:

Kevin Durant

I give you, your Western Conference Player of the Week.

Durant is back in full form after returning from a hamstring injury to start the month.

He fuelled the comeback win against the Kings and kept the game under Phoenix's control against the Pacers, while having an historic 40-point game.

His stats for the week:

31.0 Points, 6.3 Rebounds, 2.7 Assists, 2.3 Blocks, 60.0 FG% & 47.8 3PT FG%.

Grayson Allen

Allen has been no less that marvellous this past week. He shooting numbers are through the roof again and he matched his career and Suns franchise high of 9 3-pointers just 11 days after setting it the first time.

Grayson is also currently the only player in the league in the 50-40-90 club (Durant isn't far behind him).

Mat Ishbia - Re-sign that man!

His stats for the week:

18.0 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 4.7 Assists, 1.7 Steals, 59.4 FG% & 62.5 3PT FG%.

Struggling Suns:

Eric Gordon

Two weeks in a row for Gordon and I feel a bad for putting him here after his performance in the comeback win over the Kings, but our bench has been awful the last couple of games and he's supposed to be our main bench scorer.

His stats for the week:

7.3 Point, 2.7 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists, 32.0 FG% & 20.03PT FG%.

Stat Line(s) of the Week:

Devin Booker vs New Orleans Pelicans

Wow, what a performance from Book. He hit the 52 point mark in the 3rd quarter, as he missed his two attempts in the 4th.

He was locked in from the get-go and always turns up against the Pelicans. In the last match-up between these teams, he dropped 58.

This marked the 6th 50-point game of Book's career.

Game stat line:

52 Points, 4 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 18/30 FGs (60.0%) & 6/11 3PT FGs (54.5%).

Kevin Durant vs Indiana Pacers

Durant becomes the first Suns player to get 40 points, while attempting 0 free throws in a game. If you didn't already know or needed more proof, he truly is one of the best scorers ever.

Game stat line:

40 Points, 9 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Blocks, 18/25 FGs (72.0%) & 4/7 3PT FGs (57.1%).

Honourable Mention:

Grayson Allen vs Sacramento Kings

Grayson gets the honourable mention spot for matching his career high and Suns franchise high of 9 3-pointers in a game, for the second week in a row!

Game stat line:

29 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks, 10/17 FGs (58.8%) & 9/14 3PT FGs (64.3%).

Upcoming Games:

There are 4 games this week, 1 at home to start before the first 2 of a 7-game road trip.

Our last match-up with the Bulls saw the debut of Bradley Beal in a 1-point overtime win for the Suns.

The Bulls have won 2 in a row, despite currently missing Zach Lavine with a sprained ankle.

Next up is the first of our 7-game road trip. A game that is always circled as we get to face Luka Doncic. We met the Mavs at home on Christmas day and Luka destroyed us to the tune of 50 points. Let's home this time round is a lot more competitive.

We saw the Pacers just yesterday (as of writing) and after losing to us, I think they'll be ready for a payback game.

The Magic is our last game of the week and we faced them last on New Year's day. We took the win then, with "Big 3" plus Nurkic combining for 96.

Prediction:

Our toughest games on paper will be the Mavs and Pacers. I think we'll actually win all 4 of our games this week though.

Predictions League:

Any Other Business:

Book Player of the Week Nomination

Book missed out on the award for the 2nd week in row, but I can't see him caring at all this week, considering KD picked up the award.

Book's 50

As I said above, Book's 50 point game was the 6th of his career. According to the Suns he is tied for the seventh most 50-point games by a guard in NBA history.

Also...

And...

Podcasting

Last week I joined Glen and Sam on the, With the English podcast to talk Suns.

Please support Glen and Sam as they work to grow the pod, by giving it a listen:

Spotify: https://t.co/6w9y1YpMhc

Apple: https://t.co/Mm7oLYgQ1I

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