Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 5
- Matt Elvy
- Nov 21, 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 5: 14-20 November 2022
Week Record: 2-2
Overall Record: 10-6. 2nd in the Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
L - 112 - 113 Vs Miami Heat
W - 130 - 119 Vs Golden State Warriors
L - 133 - 134 Vs Utah Jazz
W - 116 - 95 Vs New York Knicks
Kicking off the week in Miami to bookend our road trip, the Suns came up short in a close battle that came down to the last possession.
Despite losing the free throw battle, with the Heat attempting 25 and the Suns only 4 (yes, you read that correctly), the Suns got out to a 13 point lead with 7:30 remaining in the game. The Heat then picked up the defensive pressure and executed well on offense to take a 2 point lead, as the game headed in to the last 2 minutes.
Both teams then executed well, but it came down to a potential game winner for Phoenix with the ball in Book's hands. Jimmy Butler played great D on our star and blocked Book's mid-range attempt, forcing an off balance 3-point heave which didn't hit the mark.
Congrats to the Heat and their 8 players on the court 😏
Our first win of the week came on the debut of our new City Edition jerseys. We blew out the Warriors, who are in one of the strangest slumps for a team that just won the title and have their key contributors still around.
The best thing here is that we were able to weather the storm of Curry dropping 50 on us, but team effort out did individual performance in this one.
Cam Payne had a career high 29 points to lead the Suns, with Book adding 27 and Mikal 23. Mikal missed out on a triple-double by just 1 rebound and 1 assist, with the 9 assists being a career high.
On to Utah to face the surprising Jazz team. The Suns got off to a bad start allowing the Jazz to build a 19 point lead, but the Suns didn't let that hole deter them. Led by a season high 49 points from Book, Phoenix fought back to take a one point lead in the 4th, following a 3 by Damion Lee. That would be the closest we'd get though, as we were unable to get some late game shots to fall and the Jazz took advantage. Markkanen had a great game for the Jazz, missing only 2 shots all game for a career high 38 points. He was supported by Malik Beasley's 27.
Along with Book's scoring outburst, Ayton had 17 points, 10 rebounds and a career high 8 assists.
Sunday's game against the Knicks was a brilliant UK friendly tip-off time and the team delivered for us.
Once again led by Cam Payne in the scoring department with 21 points, the game was over by the end of the 3rd quarter, so much so, that Book and DA didn't need to play any of the 4th quarter. Back to that 3rd quarter. The Suns outscored the Knicks 35-22, led by Book's 11 points. DA came alive in the period as well, with 9 of his 13 points, along with 5 rebounds & 2 assists.
Torrey Craig also had a great game bringing energy all night and 9 points alone in the 2nd quarter. He's been a pleasant surprise starting in place of Cam Johnson.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 27.6 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 5.9 Assists, 1.0 Steal, 47.7 FG%, 38.2 3PT FG% & 2.4 Turnovers
Deandre Ayton - 14.6 Points, 8.1 Rebounds, 2.2 Assists, 0.6 Steals, 0.6 Blocks, 57.5 FG%, 30.0 3PT FG% & 2.1 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 9.5 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 9.4 Assists, 1.7 Steals, 36.8 FG%, 27.3 3PT FG% & 1.5 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
So many of the team had hot weeks, so not a lot of writing here, just stats.
Deandre Ayton
His stats for the week:
15.0 Points, 10.0 Rebounds, 4.0 Assists & 62.2 FG%.
Mikal Bridges
His stats for the week:
16.0 Points, 6.5 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists, 1.5 Steals, 1.3 Blocks, 52.1 FG% & 43.8 3PT FG%.
Torrey Craig
His stats for the week:
13.3 Points, 7.3 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 54.1 FG% & 50.0 3PT FG%.
Damion Lee
His stats for the week:
11.0 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 1.5 Assists, 51.9 FG% & 61.9 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Dario Saric
After playing in 6 straight games, Dario only saw 1 game this past week. He played 12 minutes in our loss to the Jazz.
His stats for the week:
4.0 Points, 6.0 Rebounds, 1.0 Assist & 33.3 FG%.
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Devin Booker vs Utah Jazz
Game stat line:
49 Points, 8 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 1 Steal, 16/31 FGs (51.6%), 2/9 3-PT FGs (22.2%).
Mikal Bridges Vs Golden State Warriors
Game stat line:
23 Points, 9 Rebounds, 9 Assists, 1 Steal, 6/11 FGs (54.5%) & 5/8 3-PT FGs (62.5%).
Cameron Payne vs Golden State Warriors
Game stat line:
29 Points (Career High), 3 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 1 Block, 9/17 FGs (52.9%) & 6/10 3-PT FGs (60.0%).
Honourable mentions:
Deandre Ayton Vs Utah Jazz
Game stat line:
17 Points, 10 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 3 Blocks & 7/12 FGs (58.3%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week, all at home.
We welcome the Lakers as our 1st game of the week. Despite the terrible start they've had, they're currently on a 3-game win streak and all without LeBron James.
The young Pistons come to town next and they're not having a good season. They currently sit at the bottom of the East are on a 7-game losing streak (as of writing) and may have lost Cade Cunningham to a season-ending leg injury.
The Jazz beat us by one point, as discussed earlier in the Roundup. Let's go and get payback!
Predictions:
We'll take down the Lakers as per usual, beat the Pistons and get payback on the Jazz.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Career & Season Highs
It was a week of career & season highs for the Suns.
Cam Payne - Career high 29 points
Mikal Bridges - Career high 9 assists
Deandre Ayton - Career high 8 assists
Devin Booker - Season high 49 points
Torrey Craig - Career high 10 straight games with a 3-pointer made
Book in the Record Books
Book's List
Following his big performance vs the Jazz, Book is the only player so far this season with at least 45 points and 10 assists in a game.
Injuries
The team are still nursing some injuries. We all know about Johnson, but Landry Shamet is currently in the NBA's concussion protocols and CP3 continues to miss time with a sore heel.
I have a feeling the Paul's injury could be worse than what the team is letting on, but we can only wait and see.
You can also use the code 'SUNSFANSUK' on The Throwback Store to receive a 10% discount on any order you make.
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