Around the Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 6

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

Week 6: 25 November - 1 December 2024

Week Record: 2-1

Overall Record: 11-8. 8th in the Western Conference.

Games Played and Results:

W - 127 - 100 Vs Los Angeles Lakers

L - 117 - 127 Vs Brooklyn Nets

W - 113 - 105 Vs Golden State Warriors

Centre of The Sun

Last week saw the return of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in very impressive fashion. Not only did we beat the Lakers (which is always satisfying), but it was a blowout win with all our 'Big 3' scoring over 20 points each. Book led with 26, with KD and Beal both scoring 23. The Suns exploded in the 3rd ad kept building the lead right till the end. The outburst in the 3rd was initially led by Nurkic, scoring 10 straight for the Suns, before handing the reigns back to Book for 11 in the quarter. One thing I love for the team's longevity is that KD and Beal both played under 30 minutes.

Next was the Nets, which on paper should have been another easy win, especially with them missing Cam Thomas, their leading scorer. The first half was even, going into half-time with the score level, but the 3rd was terrible for the Suns as they let Brooklyn get a 14 point lead and Phoenix never got closer than 5 the rest of the way. They let Tyrese Martin get confident in the 1st half, then he went 3 for 3 from 3 in the 4th, along with Watford adding 9 of his own. Booker tried to keep the Suns in the game, also scoring 9, but it wasn't enough. Overall the Suns were awful on the defensive end and used the matador strategy for most of the night.

That was not the case at all against Golden State though. The defensive intensity was on display all game. There was point in the 2nd quarter where Podziemski drew an offensive foul on Durant. That seemed to ignite KD, as he was incredible on the defensive end the rest of the game. He's been good all season, but he was on another level. The Suns also got huge defensive efforts from rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. The game looked over by half time as the Suns held a 17 point lead, but the Warriors came out strong in the 3rd and Curry led the way with 15 points. We did see some tardiness in the 4th, the Suns looking like the 4th quarter 23/24 team, but they held on for the win.

Superstar Watch (Season stats):

Devin Booker - 24.7 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 6.6 Assists, 1.0 Steals, 44.3 FG%, 34.5 3PT FG% & 2.1 Turnovers

Kevin Durant - 26.8 Points, 6.9 Rebounds, 3.2 Assists, 0.6 Steals, 1.6 Blocks, 53.2 FG%, 43.4 3PT FG% & 3.3 Turnovers

Bradley Beal - 18.2 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 3.2 Assists, 1.2 Steals, 0.8 Blocks, 50.3 FG%, 39.7 3PT FG% & 1.5 Turnovers

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Scorching Suns:

Tyus Jones

Having KD and Beal back gave Tyus so much more space to operate and he took full advantage.

His stats for the week:

12.3 Points, 2.0 Rebounds, 9.0 Assists, 1.7 Steal, 65.2 FG% & 54.5 3PT FG%

Royce O'Neale

Still our Swiss Army Knife off the bench, but this week with added fire shooting the ball. He's in a great rhythm from 3 at the moment.

His stats for the week:

9.3 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists, 1.7 Steals, 58.8 FG% & 57.1 3PT FG%

Bradley Beal

Brad returned against the Lakers and looked in top form. He had almost as efficient outing against the Nets, but sadly missed the Warriors game with another injury.

His stats for the week:

20.0 Points, 2.5 Rebounds, 1.0 Assists, 62.1 FG% & 50.0%

Struggling Suns:

Ryan Dunn

This was really difficult, because overall most of the team had a good week. Ryan's shooting has completely plummeted though. I hope he can regain the confidence he had earlier in the season. It is only his shooting that is off though, he's still playing excellent defence ❌

His stats for the week:

2.3 Points, 2.7 Rebounds, 1.0 Assist, 0.3 Steals, 1 Block, 30.0 FG% & 14.3 3PT FG%

Stat Line(s) of the Week:

Devin Booker vs Los Angeles Lakers

Book notched his 3rd double-double of the season, with excellent efficiency.

Game stat line:

26 Points, 2 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 10/17 FGs (58.8%) & 3/7 3PT FGs (42.9%).

Tyus Jones vs Golden State Warriors

Tyus had a strong week all round, but everything he touched on this one was gold.

Game stat line:

26 Points, 2 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 10/17 FGs (58.8%) & 3/7 3PT FGs (42.9%).

Rookie Watch (Season stats):

Ryan Dunn - 18 games, 9 starts

6.2 Points, 2.6 Rebounds, 0.8 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 0.6 Blocks, 41.1 FG%, 31.4 3PT FG% & 0.6 Turnovers

Oso Igodharo - 14 games, 1 start

4.5 Points, 4.1 Rebounds, 0.8 Assists, 0.4 Steals, 0.4 Blocks, 62.8 FG%, 0.0 3PT FG% (0 attempts) & 0.7 Turnovers

Jalen Bridges - 2 games

0.5 Points, 0.5 Rebounds, 0.0 Assists, 0.0 Steals, 0.0 Blocks, 0.0 FG%, 0.0 3PT FG% & 1.0 Turnovers

Upcoming Games:

We have 1 more game at home, then the longest homestand of the season comes to a close and we hit the road.

Here are the UK tip-off times:

The Spurs are an improved team over last season. Wemby has a year under his belt and the team is built better with veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes on the roster. Barnes has been playing very well, winning the Western Conference Player of the Week, last week. It's always fun watching Wemby play and CP3 is still beloved in Phoenix.

The Pelicans are in a bit of a mess this season. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram can't stay on the court because of injuries, meaning all the focus is on Murray, who is having a bad season so far.

We then head to Florida to face the Heat, then Magic. We beat the Heat during our 7 game win streak at home and as has been the case for a couple of seasons, they're excellent defensively, but below average on offense. They're currently 9-9 and, as of writing are 6th in the East.

Even without Paolo Banchero, the Magic are one of the best teams in the East, currently in 3rd. Franz Wagner leads them in scoring and lit us up for 30 in our defeat to them a couple of weeks ago. The Suns should have a better showing this time round, with KD and Beal back, but they are tough and we'll be on the 2nd night of a back-to-back.

Prediction:

I think we'll beat the Spurs, Pelicans and Heat, but lose to the Magic.

Predictions League:

Other Suns Stuff:

3 Pointers!

The eye test has shown us that the Suns have been taking and making more 3's this season, but the proof is in the stats.

The Suns posted that through their 1st 18 games, the Suns have hit the most 3's in franchise history with 268.

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