Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 12
- Matt Elvy
- Jan 11, 2022
- 5 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 12: 2 - 9 January 2022
Week Record: 2-1
Overall Record: 30-9. 2nd in Western Conference & NBA (Joint number 1 record with the Warriors).
Games Played and Results:
W - 123 - 110 Vs New Orleans Pelicans
W - 106 - 89 Vs LA Clippers
L - 108 - 123 Vs Miami Heat
We became the 1st team to reach 30 wins this season!
New Orleans came to town to start the week, and they were simply outmatched by the Suns' hot 3-point shooting. They connected on 54% of their tries in this one. Mikal Bridges showed out with a season high 23 points, showing he can defend a scorer like Ingram and put up big points himself. Booker had 33 and Biyombo hit all 6 of his field goal attempts for 16 points off the bench.
The Clippers game was highlighted by career & season highs. Cam Johnson scored a career high 24 points, Chris Paul grabbed a career high 13 rebounds as part of a triple-double and, despite a poor shooting nigh, Booker had his 1st double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 boards. Jalen Smith also match his career highs in points (19) and rebounds (14). This one was a blowout with our defence being the reason for it. We held the Clippers to 21% from 3 and only 36% overall.
I had high hopes for the Miami game. We had Ayton, Crowder and McGee returning and the Heat were without Butler and Bam Adebayo, however the Heat completely torched us.
They shot an incredible 50% from 3, making 22 of them and out-hustled us all game. We shot terribly, with only Mikal Bridges having a good shooting game, finishing with 20 points. Booker had 33 but only made 5 shots, with half of his points coming from a 100% night from the free throw line.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 23.6 Points, 5.4 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists, 1.0 Steals, 44.0 FG%, 41.0 3PT FG%, 2.7 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 14.0 Points, 4.4 Rebounds, 10.0 Assists, 1.9 Steals 47.2 FG%, 32.8 3PT FG%, 2.3 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Cameron Johnson
3rd week in a row for Cam as one of my scorching Suns. Although, like the rest of the team, he had an under-par game against Miami, he had another great shooting week. Even after shooting 3 of 10 against the Heat, he shot 50% overall from 3 this week on 8 attempts!
His stats for the week:
19.0 Points, 6.0 Rebounds, 1.0 Assist, 1.0 Steal, 51.4 FG% & 50.0 3PT FG%.
Mikal Bridges
He's been in a bit of a slump over the last few weeks, but he topped 20 points twice this week.
He was also one our lone bright spots against the Heat, being 1 of 3 players to shoot over 35% from the field. He shot 72% on 11 shots.
His stats for the week:
17.0 Points, 2.3 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 58.3 FG% & 45.0 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Cameron Payne
His struggles continue, as he hasn't been able to put a solid run of good shooting games together. He has still been contributing with assists, rebounds and heart, but the shooting is not where it was last year.
His stats for the week:
7.3 Points, 3.0 Rebounds, 4.3 Assists, 31.0 FG% & 37.5 3PT FG%.
Stat Line of the Week:
Cameron Johnson Vs LA Clippers
I had to highlight Cam's career high here
Game stat line:
24 Points, 7 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks, 9/14 FGs (64.3%), 4/7 3Pt FGs (57.1%).
Honourable mentions:
Chris Paul Vs LA Clippers - His 17th career triple-double (2nd as a Sun)
Game stat line:
14 Points, 13 Rebounds, 10 Assists 2 Steals, 1 Block, (we'll ignore the shooting numbers).
Bismack Biyombo Vs New Orleans Pelicans
Game stat line:
16 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Assist, 2 Steal, 3 Blocks & 6/6 FGs (100%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week.
We hit the road this week, kicking off a 5-game road trip.
The Raptors are on a 6-game win streak with notable wins over the Bucks and Jazz in that stretch. They are led by Pascal Siakam and Fred Van Vleet, who are both averaging over 20 points on the season.
On the other end of the scale we have the Pacers who have lost 7 of their last 10 games. They did however beat a Gobert-less Jazz in their last outing, led by a career high 42 from Sabonis.
The Pistons are one of the youngest teams in the league and when we faced them in December they put up a good fight. I expect to see the same in this game.
Predictions:
I'm feeling a bit torn going in to the Raptors game. Will the Suns still be trying to find their feet, integrating Ayton, Crowder and McGee back in or will they be fired up after their poor performance against the Heat?
I'm going to go with my heart and say we end the Raptors' win streak and take the W. I see us easily grabbing wins in both Indiana and Detroit as well.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Cam's Shooting Streak
The win against New Orleans marked the 20th straight game with 2+ 3-pointers for Cam. It's the longest streak in the NBA this season and is a franchise record that he continues to add to. Since then the streak has continued to grow to 22 and counting.
More CP3 Greatness
Paul's 15 assists against New Orleans marked his 98th career game with 15+ assists, tying Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas for 5th in such games.
All-Star Votes
This is a slightly frustrating, but overall good bit of news. The frustrating part is that Klay Thompson, who hadn't played in nearly 3 years till Sunday night, is higher in the All-Star fan votes that Booker and Chris Paul! I suppose this is why the fan vote is now only a % of the final decision for starters.
It's great to see Deandre Ayton making the list though.
Moving & Shaking
Terry & Hutchison released
Justin Jackson signed to a 10-day contract
Bismack Biyombo signed till the end of the season
Covid
Shamet remained out last week. Heading to Toronto, he is no longer on the injury report for Health & Safety, but just for reconditioning.
Kaminsky Injury Update
This bit of news explains why Biyombo has been signed till the end of the season.
Go On My Suns!
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