Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 14
- Matt Elvy
- Jan 24, 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 14: 17 - 23 January 2022
Week Record: 3-0
Overall Record: 36-9. 1st in Western Conference & NBA.
Games Played and Results:
W - 121 - 107 Vs San Antonio Spurs
W - 109 - 101 Vs Dallas Mavericks
W - 113 - 103 Vs Indiana Pacers
Booker decided to explode for a season high 48 points against the Spurs, but it took till mid-way through the 4th quarter for the Suns to take full control of this game. There were 18 lead changes in this game and the Spurs tried to use their advantage at the Centre position, with Ayton out, to their advantage.
Along with Booker's 48, the Suns had a big contribution from Biyombo, who seems to have taken Smith's minutes, with 17 points & 14 rebounds - 8 of them coming on the offensive end.
CP3 added a double-double with 0 turnovers and saved his scoring till the 4th to close out the game.
Last game of the road trip and a chance to go 5-0 in the stretch was in Dallas. This was also a close on, that actually looked to be going Dallas' way.... until the 4th quarter. The Suns were down by 8 going in to the 4th quarter, but went on an incredible 22-6 run to end the game, giving us the victory.
Booker led the scoring with 28 and CP3 once again had a 0 turnover double-double and scored 10 of his 20 points in the 4th to close the game.
Bridges also had a great game defending Doncic (who ended with 28 points on only 39% shooting) and filled the stat sheet, including a season high 6 assists.
Back at home the Suns welcomed back fan favourite from last year, Torrey Craig.
There wasn't a lot to take away from this game, as the Suns went through the motions to put down an injury riddled team.
Mikal Bridges tied a season high with 23 points and CP3 came away with another big double-double with 18 points and 16 assists. The surprise of the game was Bismack Biyombo with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists off the bench.
The biggest news from the game and it's certainly not good news, is that Cam Payne and Jae Crowder both injured their wrists in the game. Crowder's seemed worse than Payne's as he left the game straight away, but Cam was able to play on till the end of the half.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 24.3 Points, 5.3 Rebounds, 4.4 Assists, 1.0 Steals, 44.0 FG%, 34.5 3PT FG%, 2.5 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 14.1 Points, 4.3 Rebounds, 10.1 Assists, 2.0 Steals 48.4 FG%, 31.6 3PT FG%, 2.3 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Chris Paul
CP3 averaged a big double-double this week and didn't have a single turnover against the Spurs or Mavs.
He's been absolutely clutch in all 3 games scoring 28 of his total 53 points in 4th quarters alone this week.
His stats for the week:
17.7 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 13.0 Assist, 2.7 Steal, 62.2 FG% & 25.0 3PT FG%.
Bismack Biyombo
Called in to action this week with Deandre Ayton missing time with his sprained ankle, Bis has certainly made his mark, brining huge energy every night. The Jalen Smith experiment is over and Bis is now our definitive 3rd big.
His stats for the week:
15.7 Points, 10.3 Rebounds (5.3 Offensive!), 2.3 Assists, 1.3 Steals & 76.0 FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Landry Shamet
This Shamet signing just hasn't worked out. I don't know what else to say, as he's featured here many times before. He seems like a great guy, but he just doesn't deserve the playing time right now. Maybe he appears on scouting reports, following his success elsewhere and is a good distraction to help our offense? I'm certainly pulling at straws there.
His stats for the week:
13.8 Mins, 3.0 Points, 1.7 Rebounds, 0.3 Assists, 0.3 Steals, 27.3 FG% & 25.0 3PT FG%.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Devin Booker Vs San Antonio Spurs
Game stat line:
48 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3 Steals, 18/33 FGs (61.1%) & 5/13 (38.5%).
Bismack Biyombo Vs Indiana Pacers
Game stat line:
21 Points, 13 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks & 9/12 FGs (75.0%).
Honourable mentions:
Chris Paul Vs Indiana Pacers
Game stat line:
18 Points, 4 Rebounds, 16 Assists, 4 Steals & 8/11 FGs (72.7%)
Upcoming Games:
We have 4 games this week.
We face the Jazz twice this week, one at home and one away (our only away game of the week). These are the 1st 2 meetings of the season for these teams, that finished 1 and 2 respectively in the West last season.
We look to be without Cam Payne and Jae Crowder for at least one of the games, while we await more news from the Suns. Ayton is showing as doubtful, which could mean he's back for the 2nd game.
News just out of the Jazz camp is that they'll be missing Rudy Gobert with a calf strain. The Jazz are still a good team, but completely fall apart on the defensive end without him. Knowing this news, I see us winning both those games.
The Timberwolves are up next and Booker always shows out against his 2 best mates, KAT and D-Lo. Ayton should be back for this game, so I see another win on the table.
As for the Spurs - see the previous couple of roundups to see what I have to say.
Predictions:
4 wins - making us the 1st team to reach 40 wins this season.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
All-Star Fan Vote Returns
On Thursday the NBA released the 3rd round of NBA All-Star fan votes.
Not a lot to say here. Booker remained in 5th among the West guards. CP3 is still in 7th.
Deandre Ayton remained in 10th place amongst the West frontcourt.
Injuries
Ayton missed all of last week with a sprained ankle. He is doubtful in Monday's matchup with the Jazz, so I expect to see him back in game 2 or against the T'Wolves.
Cam Payne and Crowder both picked up wrist injuries against the Pacers on Saturday. They are both listed as out against the Jazz on Monday. The next update for them will be Monty's pre-game press availability.
Go On My Suns!
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