Key to Suns Defeating Wizards

The Suns are looking to secure win number 23 on the year tonight - how do they get it done?

Jan 16, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots a three point shot against Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

PHOENIX -- Tonight is the most glaring opportunity the Phoenix Suns (22-21) have to begin creating separation with the frowned upon .500 record - as they take on the Washington Wizards (6-37) for the second time in just over a week tonight.

The Suns are coming off of a much-needed 108-84 victory over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets, while the Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Clippers by a score of 110-93 on Thursday night.

The Wizards are having a rough season - there's not much wiggle room to get around that fact - but players such as Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George displayed the upside that the team can have long-term.

George lead Washington with 24 points off of the bench against the Suns last Thursday, while Sarr flashed the two-way upside that made him the second overall pick in the last draft.

Bilal Coulibaly is always a player to watch for the Wizards as well. The former lottery pick is still quite raw as a scorer, but has taken steps forward both as a playmaker and defensively to combat the inconsistencies from the field.

The key to Phoenix taking this game and moving to 23-21 is simple - play a complete game. The last game against Washington was controlled by the Suns for much of the night, but a lackluster fourth quater required Mike Budenholzer to play his starters late in the game.

The Suns are the better team - they need to show it across the entirety of the opening 36 minutes - there needs to be little doubt of the result of the game going into the closing stretch.

One major way Phoenix can assert dominance tonight? Contain Jordan Poole, who struggled in the previous matchup prior to exiting early.

From our own Donnie Druin's talk with Wizards on SI's Jeremy Brenner:

"Jordan Poole is playing some of the best basketball of his career, and his No. 1 option role is something he's become more comfortable with."

Poole is known for being awesome at creating separation off the dribble, while also being elusive and slippery with the ball in his hands. Poole is certainly a candidate to get in a major rhythm on a nightly basis - and a comfortable Poole is a player that can fight to get an efficient 30 points.

If the Suns can limit Poole, it feels very unlikely that the Washington offense can experience the same offensive surge that they saw in the previous matchup - Phoenix should be looking at win number 23 on the season at the conclusion of the 48 minutes.

Suns-Wizards is set to tip-off shortly after 7 P.M. Arizona time tonight.