Suns Can't Afford to Lose vs Magic
The Phoenix Suns are currently on a three-game losing streak, and though the sky isn't actually falling here in the Valley, concern has definitely grown as the regular season approaches an end.
The Suns have dealt with three quality opponents without their best player in forward Kevin Durant:
- Saturday: 128-119 Loss to Sacramento Kings (No. 2 seed in the West)
- Monday: 123-112 Loss to Golden State Warriors (No. 6 seed in the West)
- Tuesday: 116-104 Loss to Milwaukee Bucks (No. 1 seed in the East)
Losses to the Warriors and Bucks saw deficits of 25 and 16 points nearly overcame, a fight that Devin Booker seemed to appreciate despite the losing skid.
"I like how we've been fighting. Every game has been its own story and I think we have to get out to better starts, we've been fighting an uphill battle every game," said Booker following the loss against Milwaukee. "I think that's gonna be a point of emphasis for us to get out and start the games better so we're not on an uphill battle the whole game."
Suns coach Monty Williams would prefer the officiating get better, as his team has been drastically outdone in the free throw department in losses to Sacramento and Milwaukee.
“I just did it the other day. I can sit here and go through what you guys already know. You just got to put my name on the quote, you saw it. It’s not fair. (Devin) Book has three free throws, if I’m reading this right and Jrue Holiday is one of the most physical defenders in the game and he has three. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) has 24 free throws. It’s ridiculous, there is no other way to put it," Williams said after the loss to the Bucks.
"DA (Deandre Ayton) can’t play. When a guy just runs into you the whole game, it’s like we dealt with this so many times with this team and credit to him, he saw the way the game was being called and he kept doing it, but that’s hard to swallow and this has happened a number of times when we play them. For me, it’s hard for me to tell our guys to keep their level of poise cause that’s frustrating. They beat us, make no mistake about it, but that’s a hard one to swallow and it’s happened too many times.”
Though no game is easy in the NBA, the Suns hope the struggling Orlando Magic (28-41, third to last in the East and losers of their last 4-of-5) can provide some relief.
With just 13 games left in the regular season, Phoenix (37-32) sits just 4.5 games back from the No. 2 seed in the West and 4.5 games back to No. 13 and completely out of the playoff picture.
Make no mistake about it - with few opportunities left - the Suns should view this game as a must-win.
