Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 22
- Matt Elvy
- Mar 23, 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 22: 14-20 March 2022
Week Record: 4-0
Overall Record: 58-14. 1st in Western Conference & NBA.
Games Played and Results:
W - 131 - 115 Vs New Orleans Pelicans
W - 129 - 112 Vs Houston Rockets
W - 129 - 102 Vs Chicago Bulls
W - 127 - 124 Vs Sacramento Kings OT
Sorry, no game write-ups this week.
All I'm going to say is the refs need to be investigated following that awful showing in the Kings game. Despite that, we were able to win all 4 games.
I'm also going to celebrate that we are the Pacific Division Champions
Sometimes running late on publishing articles can give you a positive. This time it means I've been able to include the news that we are the Pacific Division Champions for the 2nd season in a row. It's the 8th time we've won the division as well.
The Suns clinched the title without even playing on Tuesday, that to the Orlando Magic defeating the Warriors.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 25.9 Points, 5.1 Rebounds, 4.9 Assists, 1.2 Steal, 45.9 FG%, 37.6 3PT FG% 2.5 Turnovers
Chris Paul (Out with Injury) - 14.9 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 10.7 Assists, 1.9 Steals 48.7 FG%, 33.0 3PT FG%, 2.4 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Devin Booker
Booker continues to lead us while missing key guys thanks to injuries.
He's been on fire all week scoring 27, 36, 28 & 31. The 27 against the Pelicans came in just 3 quarters and he only played 1 minute of the Bulls game, scoring 28.
His efforts made him a nominee for Western Conference Player of the Week.
His stats for the week:
30.5 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 5.0 Assists, 56.6 FG% & 41.4 3PT FG%.
Deandre Ayton
DA was a beast this week. He had 3 double-doubles and was super efficient from the field as always. He also only missed 1 free throw all week.
His week got some good recognition as well, as he was a nominee for Western Conference Player of the Week for the 2nd week in a row.
His stats for the week:
18.3 Points, 9.5 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists & 63.8 FG%.
Mikal Bridges
With Cam Johnson still out with a bruised knee and Jae also missing 2 and a bit games, the pressure was on Mikal to pick up the scoring on the wing and that he did. As well as , of course his always high level of defence.
The man played 50 minutes in the overtime win over the Kings and was the team's 2nd leading scorer behind Booker this week.
Below is some of his season highlights on the defensive end.
His stats for the week:
21.0 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 3.0 Assists, 50.0 FG% & 47.8 3PT FG%.
Torrey Craig
Torrey has spent quite a lot of time as my Struggling Sun since returning to the team at the trade deadline, but not this week.
Thanks to a 2-game stretch where he didn't miss a shot, his shooting numbers were through the roof. Those 2 games he started in place of the injured Crowder and had the following combined numbers:
35 Points, 23 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 2 Steals, 13/13 FGs, 5/5 3PT FGs, 4/4 FTs
His stats for the week:
13.0 Points, 8.5 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 69.0 FG% & 66.7 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
I don't think anyone played badly this week at all, but I've copped out a couple of times recently, so will go with...
Aaron Holiday
Holiday has seen the floor a lot since joining the team because of injuries to CP3, Booker & Payne and overall has been serviceable, however he could not hit the mark at all this week.
He contributed in other ways and his numbers don't look awful, but hitting shots wasn't it. The Bulls game props his figures up, but that contribution came in garbage time when the game was over.
His stats for the week:
16.8 Mins, 5.0 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 4.3 Assists, 1.3 Steal & 41.2 FG%.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Torrey Craig Vs Houston Rockets
Game stat line:
21 Points, 14 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Blocks, 8/8 FGs (100%) & 3/3 3PT FG (100%).
Torrey Craig Vs Chicago Bulls
Game stat line:
14 Points, 9 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Steals, 5/5 FGs (100%), 2/2 3PT FGs (100%).
Devin Booker Vs Houston Rockets
Game stat line:
36 Points, 4 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Block, 15/24 FGs (62.5%), 5/12 3PT FGs (41.7%).
Honourable mentions:
Landry Shamet Vs Sacramento Kings
Game stat line:
21 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 7/11 FGs (63.6%) & 5/9 3PT FGs (55.6%).
JaVale McGee Vs Chicago Bulls
Game stat line:
12 Points, 7 Rebounds, 1 Block, 4/4 FGs (100%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week.
Our 1st 2 games are both on the road and part of a back-to-back. The team then head back to Phoenix to face the 76ers.
The Suns will be well rested to face the Wolves. We have played the twice this season and have taken the W in both games. Booker always shows out against his 2 best friends in KAT & D'Lo, but this current Wolves team cannot be underestimated, as they're currently (Monday) on a 4 game win streak and hold the 6th spot in the West.
Going in to Denver on the 2nd night of a back-to-back is going to be a tough ask. The Suns and Nuggets have each taken a game in the season series, meaning this one will be the tiebreaker. Their main man, reigning NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic is leading the Nuggets in all 3 major statistical categories and is having another MVP-level season, but they are still struggling with injuries, with no Murray or MPJ.
Finally on Sunday we have the current favourite in the MVP race Joel Embiid and the Sixers visiting Phoenix. They will be on the 2nd night of a back-to-back after being in LA the night before. We beat this team by 5 back in February, but they are a different side now with James Harden in the fold. It's going to be fun watching Bridges slow him down.
The thing that stands out to me the most here is the Ayton will be under the microscope facing 3 of the top 5 centres in the league, 3 games in a row. He usually steps up to the challenge and we also have a great back-up in McGee to keep a big body on these guys, when Ayton goes to the bench or gets in foul trouble.
Predictions:
I think playing the Nuggets the night after the Wolves could be the game that trips us up. I'm going to say we beat the Wolves, lose to the Nuggets, then beat the Sixers as well.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
CP3 Returning this Week?
According to a report in the Athletic by Sam Amick, "We could see Chris Paul as soon as this week."
"Some sources close to the situation wouldn't even rule out his return for Wednesday's game at Minnesota."
This however didn't come to fruition, as CP is still on the injury report for the Wolves game.
Injury Updates
Cam Johnson
Cam is still out with a thigh bruise and there has been no update on his return yet. I'm happy that he's able to rest up before the end of the season and the Playoffs though.
Jae Crowder
Jae missed 2 games this week. He returned for the Kings game and then got Zaza'd rolling his ankle. Luckily we've had a longish lay-off and he'll be available for our visit to Minnesota.
Cam Payne
Cam missed the Kings game due to a non-covid ill-ness. He will be back for the Wolves game.
We Beat Everyone!
The Suns have now beat every other team in the league this season. It's the 1st time since the 2006-07 season that they've done that.
Go On My Suns!
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