Suns Reveal Mentality for Rest of Season

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are again in their winning ways after a tough 110-105 meeting with the Houston Rockets. After dropping their first two games out of the All-Star break, the Suns have bounced back nicely with wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and Rockets.

Currently sitting at 35-24, the Suns occupy the No. 5 spot in the West. They're seven games back from first but just three games back from the No. 4-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

With just over 20 games remaining, the Suns could very well climb the Western standings, though it's tough sledding with Phoenix having the toughest strength of schedule remaining at .574 according to Tankathon.

Phoenix looks to embrace that.

“I think they said we have the toughest schedule yet. I think that is how it should be. You want to play these games late in the season, teams you might see and already get in the flow of ramping it up. Getting a taste of what the playoffs are going to feel like. Looking forward to it," said Devin Booker.

"Trying to win every game we can. Obviously, stay out of the plane and maybe move up a couple spots and get home court advantage.”

The Suns have multiple matchups remaining with the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers - all of which are no less than third in their respective conference standings.

The challenge for Phoenix isn't scoring - that's something they've been able to do at will when healthy. Rather, it's been the defensive deficiencies that have cost Frank Vogel's squad through various points of the season.

Vogel - typically known for his defensive prowess - believes the Suns are buying in, especially on that side of the court.

“I think a ton, just have a great deal of understanding and buy in of the things that we’re doing on the gamely basis with what the gameplans look like each night and every game gives lessons that can apply to the next game," he said.

"There are similar type players that we’re going against and try to gameplan against, so a lot of, ‘hey, we’re doing this against Player X that we did last game against Player Y.’ All the small success that we’ve had throughout the year, you strengthen that into the next gameplan and our guys are getting familiar with that.”

The Suns are back in action Saturday against the Rockets.