What We Learned From Suns' Victory vs Raptors
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are now 37-26.
Phoenix avoided a second-half disaster on Thursday night when they defeated the Toronto Raptors by a score of 120-113.
Immanuel Quickley and Gary Trent Jr. were standouts for Toronto, but the combination of Grayson Allen/Kevin Durant were more than enough to overcome the outburst from Toronto's duo in the second half.
What we learned:
Devin Booker Needed Back
This should be clear.
While the Suns can weather the storm without Devin Booker for a short amount of time, they need him back for the primetime date with the Boston Celtics on Saturday night - if he has progressed enough to play.
Phoenix is very unlikely to steal a win against Boston without Booker - they shouldn't rush him back to action but the matchup with the Celtics is a prime opportunity to make a statement in front of a national audience.
Suns On Pace to Avoid Play-In
The Suns have the most difficult remaining schedule, but some imminent games against teams such as the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs will prove to be games that they can win, thus creating more separation in the race to avoid the 7-seed.
Whoever ends up at that spot will win between 45-47 games realistically, so Phoenix will presumably need to win between 8 to 11 of their remaining 19 contests to secure a top-six playoff spot.
The win against the Raptors goes a long way towards achieving this.
Grayson Allen Must Be Retained
As if there were any questions about this previously.
Allen had his second consecutive stellar effort against Toronto - to the tune of eight three-pointers made.
The Suns' versatile wing/guard has been the model of consistency in an inconsistent season so far in Phoenix - which has been backed up by exemplary shooting splits, continual eagerness to defend at the POA, and the leadership that has been brought to the locker room.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has not been afraid to spend in any fashion- and Allen's projected contract shouldn't be an issue for the new Suns' steward to pick up in July.
The Suns are back in action tomorrow night against the Boston Celtics in a primetime ABC slot. The game is set to tip off shortly after 6:30 PM Arizona time.
