Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 9
- Matt Elvy
- Dec 21, 2021
- 5 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 9: 13 - 19 December 2021
Week Record: 3-1
Overall Record: 24-5. 1st in Western Conference & NBA.
Games Played and Results:
L - 95 - 111 Vs LA Clippers
W - 111 - 107 Vs Portland Trail Blazers OT
W - 118 - 98 Vs Washington Wizards
W - 137 - 106 Vs Charlotte Hornets
We started the week with a loss to the Clippers. Both teams were missing key pieces, as we didn't have Booker or Ayton and the Clippers were without Paul George. The Suns played hard all game, but got themselves in a 10 point whole in the 1st quarter, with their shots not falling. The Clippers capitalised and we were never able to recover.
Chris Paul, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet all had poor shooting nights, combining for 12 of 40 overall. The team shot just 37.5% overall, where as the Clippers managed 55%, including 42.9% from downtown.
The Blazers was another game that some had chalked to be a loss, but thanks to the clutch-ness of Chris Paul, we were able to pull out the win in our 1st overtime game of the season.
The game saw Deandre Ayton return from his absence from a non-covid related illness. He and CP3 picked up right where they left off, with pick and roll play resembling Nash and Stoudemire. Both men had season highs in points - 28 for DA, 24 for CP3, as well as minutes, as both played over 40.
After the 1st 2 tough games, the Wizards came in to Phoenix a little under-manned thanks to covid protocols and were no match at all for the Suns. Phoenix had an easy night by all accounts and showed how deep the team is with their balanced attack and ability to rest DA & CP3, after those big minutes against the Blazers.
Lastly Sunday night, the Hornets were no match for us, especially in Booker's return from a hamstring injury. I mentioned our balanced attack against the Wizards, but the Suns were on another level in this one. 9 players scored in double digits. It was a great return game for Book, as it meant he wasn't asked to do too much, which allowed him to get used to being back on the court. The Hornets showed how they're one of the worst defensive teams in the league. allowing the Suns to have their highest scoring game of the season.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 22.9 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists, 0.9 Steals, 45.6 FG%, 40.9 3PT FG%, 2.6 Turnovers (Played 1 game this week)
Chris Paul - 14.4 Points, 4.0 Rebounds, 10.1 Assists, 2.0 Steals 48.6 FG%, 33.7 3PT FG%, 2.3 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Deandre Ayton
DA has been a beast in his 1st 3 games back. He seems to have upped his passing skills in his time off and it's a great step in his development.
His stats for the week:
19.3 Points, 12.7 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, 1.3 Blocks, & 63.2 FG%.
Chris Paul
Despite a dud against the Clippers, CP3 redeemed himself the rest of the week and completely carried this team in the absence of Devin Booker.
His stats for the week:
14.8 Points, 4.3 Rebounds, 9.3 Assists, 2.3 Steals, 52.0 FG% & 37.5 3PT FG%
Jae Crowder
Jae's 2nd week in a row in this section.
His stats for the week:
10.3 Points, 4.3 Rebounds, 1.0 Assist, 51.7 FG% & 42.9 3PT FG%.
Struggling Suns:
Elfrid Payton
Payton has been picking up minutes in Booker's absence, but really has not delivered at all. He's never been an efficient scorer, but this past week he was just bad.
On top of the bad shooting, he's been turning the ball over way too much, averaging just under 3. In the game against Charlotte - as discussed a very easy game for us - he had 6 turnovers and 4 fouls in just 15 minutes of play.
Luckily now that Booker is back, he shouldn't see as many minutes.
This week's stats:
2.8 Points, 1.8 Rebounds, 3.0 Assists, 2.8 Turnovers, 26.7 FG% & 33.3 3PT FG%
Stat Line of the Week:
It was a toss up between CP3 & DA vs Portland, but I went with CP3, with the way he took over the game at the end and because a lot of DA's points were thanks to CP3.
Chris Paul Vs Portland Trail Blazers
Game stat line:
24 Points, 8 Rebounds, 14 Assists, 3 Steals, 10/19 FGs (52.6%), 1/1 3Pt FGs (100%).
Honourable mentions:
Deandre Ayton Vs Portland Trail Blazers
Game stat line:
28 Points, 13 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 12/17 FGs (70.6%).
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week, 1 on the road and 2 at home.
A game against the Lakers is always circled on a Suns fan's calendar. The Lakers are however one of the teams struggling with covid protocols, as well as an injury to Anthony Davis, which will keep him out for a few weeks. I believe I saw that LeBron is also only probable to play. This basically means we'll be playing the South Bay Lakers, so this should be a win for the Suns. This is the only game on the road this week.
Back home on Thursday we have the young, plucky OKC Thunder visiting us. Once again I expect a win here. The Suns and OKC are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their goals this season. They play hard and as seen by the big buzzer beater from last week, you can never count them out.
Then, the big one, our 1st Christmas day game since 2009, against the Warriors. We've played them twice over the last few weeks, each taking a game each. This is a huge game for the Suns, on the biggest NBA day of the season, on national tv and as we've seen they always rise to the occasion. I'm going with a Suns win here.
Predictions:
Such an exciting week for the Suns and I can't wait to sit down ON CHRISTMAS and WATCH A SUNS GAME - LIVE!
I'm going for 3 straight wins this week - boom!
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
Returns from Illness & Injury
There was good news for the Suns this week as Deandre Ayton returned from illness against the Blazers, helping us secure the win and Devin Booker returned from his hamstring injury against the Hornets.
It's great to have these guys back and get some games under their belts in the build up to that huge Warriors game on Christmas Day
Christmas Day Game!
The Suns finally get a Christmas Day game, their 1st since 2009. The NBA must have predicted how good the Suns & Warriors would be this season, as they go in to this game with the 1st & 2nd best records in the NBA.
Monty Williams for Team USA
Monday saw team USA hold a press conference to officially introduce Steve Kerr as the new Head Coach and with that, it was officially confirmed that Monty Williams has been named as an assistant coach on the team.
Congrats Coach!
CP3 in the Clutch
Thanks to Sam from The Timeline Podcast for these stats:
I have nothing else to add - these stats are simply ridiculous.
Go On My Suns!
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