Keys for Suns to Extend Winning Streak

The Phoenix Suns once again look to be a team that has a pulse.

The squad has won two consecutive games in convincing fashion following a nearly month-long period of up-and-down play.

Things are on the upswing in Phoenix, but the Orlando Magic pose a legitimate threat to quell any momentum the Suns have built over the last several days.

Three keys to subduing Orlando:

Force Magic to Settle

The Magic are a fairly average offense based off of metrics, but they can certainly be susceptible to an occasional game where the offense explodes.

The Magic's offense typically thrives the most when pitted against weaker defenses that they can exploit off the dribble.

The Magic are the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA shooting just a tick over 33% as a team. In short, the Suns are a team that the Magic could potentially give fits- particularly at the rim.

On the flip side, Phoenix has enough versatility on the perimeter- more than nearly every team Orlando has scored 120+ points on this season.

If the Suns can lean into the switch-ability and versatility of their perimeter defensive attack, they likely can contain a balanced Orlando offense to around 110 points - which would bode well for their prospects of winning.

Rebound!

The Suns and Magic are average rebounding teams by all accounts.

That doesn't mean the Suns shouldn't have the advantage in this game, however.

Both teams' rebounding efforts are predicated more on team-based efforts, but the Suns simply have a big man in Jusuf Nurkic that can be a game-changer in that aspect.

Nurkic has been a menace on the offensive glass this season- averaging nearly three offensive boards per game.

Second-chance points could be a key factor in tonight's game- especially against Orlando's stingy defense.

Rim Pressure

This might be the most pronounced key to the game.

Orlando's defense is one of the better units in the NBA, but they also foul at the fourth-highest rate in the league.

The Suns have the second-most fouls called in their favor in the entire league as well.

If Phoenix can repeat the off-ball movement that's been on display the past two games, it's certainly conceivable that they could be seeing an ample amount of clean looks at the rim and a multitude of opportunities at the free throw line.