Preview: Suns Host Raptors
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns (36-26) are set to conclude their season series with the Toronto Raptors (23-39) tonight at Footprint Center.
The Suns are coming off of a massive victory over the Denver Nuggets - which has given them some breathing room ahead of the play-in as the No. 6 seed in the conference currently.
The Raptors, meanwhile, have struggled to get consistent play on the offensive end since All-Star Scottie Barnes broke his hand last week.
Raptors: Rebuilding But Competitive
The Raptors shocked the Suns with a gutsy win in late November - the team that is there now is quite different.
On the other hand, they are still fiercely competitive despite the roster turnover.
The Raptors had won three of four games coming out of the All-Star break prior to the unfortunate broken hand suffered by Barnes, and only were blown out in their most recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Gary Trent Jr. are all players that can make this game interesting.
Key Matchup:Immanuel Quickley vs Bradley Beal
Quickley is now undoubtedly the catalyst of the Raptors' offense following Barnes leaving the lineup due to injury.
The Kentucky product has now shot over 40% from three-point range in each of his first full two months as part of the franchise.
This will prove to be a huge test for Beal, as he capped off a rather forgettable first four quarters of play with an admirable performance in OT of the Suns win over the Nuggets on Tuesday night.
Prediction: Suns Win
The Suns may very well lose just looking at the way this season has gone.
The generally roller-coaster fashion of the first 62 games just makes a win that looks very attainable at the surface an uphill climb, but Phoenix rides the momentum from the victory over Denver to another win tonight.
Suns-Raptors is set to tip shortly after 7:00 PM Arizona time tonight.
