Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 8
- Matt Elvy
- Dec 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 8: 6 - 12 December 2021
Week Record: 2-0
Overall Record: 21-4. 1st in Western Conference & NBA.
Games Played and Results:
W - 108 - 104 Vs San Antonio Spurs
W - 111 - 90 Vs Boston Celtics
As always against the current Spurs team, it was a hard fought game, that the Suns pulled out at the end thanks to their experience and continues clutch excellence.
The Spurs tied the game with around 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter and that is when Chris Paul took over. He assisted the other guys and hit his patented mid range jumpers, but the standout play in this stretch was when CP3 knocked the ball away from the Spurs' Murray, as he barrelled to the basket, with only Paul to stop him.
I thought the game against Boston may have been a tough match-up for the Suns, especially as they were missing Deandre Ayton as well as Devin Booker, but the Celtics look all out of sorts this season and JaVale McGee had the biggest game of his Suns career so far. You can see more about that below.
The Suns depth was on full display, as even bottom of the bench, 2nd year centre/forward Jalen Smith had himself a good game (by his standards), after being thrust in to the back-up centre minutes.
The Suns' aggressive defence was too much for a Celtics offense that looked stuck in the mud most of the night and the Suns had their way on offense, as they often do.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 23.2 Points, 4.9 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists, 0.9 Steals, 45.8 FG%, 40.3 3PT FG%, 2.7 Turnovers (Booker didn't play in either game this past week)
Chris Paul - 14.4 Points, 3.9 Rebounds, 10.2 Assists, 2.0 Steals 48.0 FG%, 33.3 3PT FG%, 2.4 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Jae Crowder
With Booker out, the team has been using crowd-scoring to pick up the scoring gap and this week, Jae has led the way. He scored a season high 19 against the Spurs, shooting 40% from 3. He then followed that up by scoring 16 points against Boston on 4/8 from downtown and 6/10 overall.
His stats for the week:
17.5 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 1.0 Assists, 1.0 Steal. 1.0 Block, 54.2 FG% & 44.0 3PT FG%.
JaVale McGee
Across the 2 games, including the start against Boston (more on that below), JaVale had a great week. He posted averages of:
17.0 Points, 11.0 Rebounds, 1.0 Block, 60.9 FG% & 50.0 3PT FG%
Struggling Suns:
No one.
For the 2nd week in a row I haven't been able to choose any one that's truly struggling. When looking at the box score Shamet could have slotted here, but watching him in game he has been fine and a positive to what the team's trying to achieve.
This week's stats:
N/A
Stat Line of the Week:
JaVale McGee Vs Boston Celtics
Game stat line:
21 Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Blocks, 9/16 FGs (56.3%), 1/2 3Pt FGs (50%).
Honourable mentions:
Cam Johnson Vs Boston
Game stat line:
16 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5/9 FGs (55.6%), 4/7 3PT FGs (57.1%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 4 games this week, 2 on the road and 2 at home.
WCF Rematch: The Clippers go in to Monday's game winning 4 of their last 5 games, including the last 3 in a row. Being at home and with us still not having Devin Booker & maybe Deandre Ayton, this is going to be a tough game. Let's hope that Bridges can lock down George and JaVale can control Zubac down low, if Ayton is still out.
We then travel to Portland on Tuesday to face the extremely dysfunctional Blazers, who are on a 5-game losing streak heading in to our game. As always with this team, Dame and McCollum could have a big night any time, as can Norman Powell. Being the 2nd night of a back-to-back could also be troublesome.
We then head home to face the Wizards. Washington have been one of the surprise teams this season, holding (as of writing) the 7th spot in the East, but have lost 4 of their last 5. I personally would love to have Booker back for this one, to see a Book vs Beal match-up.
The last game of the week, also at home is against the Hornets, who are currently struggling to field a full team, as Covid has hit the franchise. The biggest name missing thanks to Covid, is franchise PG LaMelo Ball. After isolation, this could be back with the team.
Predictions:
With the news that Deandre Ayton is still out and now also Jalen Smith, I believe we will lose to the Clippers, but win the rest of the week's games, so end with a 3-1 record.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Injuries & Illness
Along with Booker being out with the Hamstring injury, we also didn't have Ayton against Boston due to a non-covid related illness. The Suns confirmed Monday that he will remain out and Jalen Smith will also be out, with potentially the same illness.
Going in to Monday's game against the Clippers, things look a bit dicey:
Silver lining:
The positive take from all this is players have had increased roles with Booker out. Cam Johnson has looked great the last couple of weeks and as discussed above, Jae Crowder is also finding his shooting stroke.
Against Boston Jalen Smith got the most playing time he's seen all season and looked pretty decent in the minutes he got (minus a couple of air-balls).
Booker Back on the Court
Both Kellan Olson and Duane Rankin reported over the weekend that Booker has been back on the court at the Suns' training facility. The both also posted videos on Twitter of him getting up shots - yay!
Monty Williams for Team USA
Woj reported on Friday that Steve Kerr has been picked to be Greg Popovich's replacement as Head Coach for Team USA. He also listed the Assistant Coaches and our very own Monty Williams is on the list.
Congrats Coach!
Go On My Suns!
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