Suns @ Kings 2-3-17

[Mainstreet]

The Suns, who are on a five game losing streak, visit the Kings tonight with a 8:30 p.m Arizona start time.

From the ESPN preview:

The Suns (15-34) may consider scoring the game's first point progress. They have lost five straight, their longest skid since a seven-game losing streak last March. They haven't led in either of their previous two losses, the most recent a 124-114 setback against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.

The Suns don't have too many issues offensively. Phoenix averages 106.5 points per contest, 11th in the NBA, and topped 100 in 13 of their past 14 contests.

"We are scoring at will," guard Devin Booker told the Arizona Republic after the loss to the Clippers. "But we couldn't get enough stops."

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400900158

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hopefully that flu or cold that ran through the team is behind them now. Somewhere between Mexico and Toronto, most of them ended up sick and it's been evident during this losing streak. OTOH, it's helped the tanking movement.

 

[Mainstreet]

From Doug Haller:

Doug Haller ‏@DougHaller 1h1 hour ago


Suns without F Dragan Bender (ankle) and F Jared Dudley (sick) tonight. Bender wore a protective boot earlier today. Dudley not on trip.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns stuck with TJ Warren the entire 1st quarter and he responded with 10 points and 2 rebounds.

Devin Booker went scoreless.

The Suns shot 25.0%

Kings lead 21-15.

 

[Mainstreet]

Knight is lighting it up in the first half. He has 12 points thus far.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe has become a master of getting contact on his shots.

 

[Mainstreet]

Devin Booker has come alive in the 3rd quarter and has 15 points.

The Suns lead 57-49.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Bledsoe has become a master of getting contact on his shots.

He's always been pretty good at this but yeah, he's getting better at it each season. I really think he learned a few tricks from Goran, especially about taking it into the body of the big guy.

Dragic pretty much single-handedly ended Roy Hibbert's career, the guy was never the same after we shocked them in Phoenix and then won the revenge match-up a few days later. Roy was a shell of himself after Dragic just tore him up and put to rest his reputation as a defender. Bledsoe gets blocked a lot less now and picks up a few extra FT's most nights and I think Dragic had something to do with that improvement.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Sometimes I really just hate NBA refs. Freaking incompetents. Not all of them, not all the time, but far too many of them and far too often. That timeout call was a joke.

 

[AzStevenCal]

And how many extra fouls is Cousins going to get? He should have fouled out long ago.

 

[Mainstreet]

He's always been pretty good at this but yeah, he's getting better at it each season. I really think he learned a few tricks from Goran, especially about taking it into the body of the big guy.

Dragic pretty much single-handedly ended Roy Hibbert's career, the guy was never the same after we shocked them in Phoenix and then won the revenge match-up a few days later. Roy was a shell of himself after Dragic just tore him up and put to rest his reputation as a defender. Bledsoe gets blocked a lot less now and picks up a few extra FT's most nights and I think Dragic had something to do with that improvement.

I'm sure Bledsoe learned some tricks from Dragic but I think his game now is pure Bledsoe. It's still amazing that Dragic was pretty much an unknown when the Suns drafted him in the second round. The Suns were openly begging for an earlier second draft pick to draft him and the Spurs of all teams obliged.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Two point lead, Kings have the ball with 21.6 left in the game. I want us to win, we need to lose. Man I hate knowing that a loss is the best thing. OTOH, if Ryan has decided to trade our pick, I'd just as soon we beat these suckers.

 

[Mainstreet]

And how many extra fouls is Cousins going to get? He should have fouled out long ago.

Superstar treatment I suppose.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Tied up; we have 8 seconds to make a shot and win, miss to set up overtime or throw the ball away for a last second Kings victory? What to do, what to do.

 

[Mainstreet]

This game is going down to the buzzer.

Booker goes one on one to get the win with a bank shot.

Final:

Suns 105- Kings 103

 

[AzStevenCal]

Superstar treatment I suppose.

I can see giving him a break or two but they took it too far. By the time he picked up his eighth 6th foul, that should have been enough for the refs. Especially since they ignored his foul on the opening play.

Booker for the bank shot win!!!

 

[AzStevenCal]

And shut it Eddie, he clearly meant to bank that one.

 

[Mainstreet]

Tied up; we have 8 seconds to make a shot and win, miss to set up overtime or throw the ball away for a last second Kings victory? What to do, what to do.

Booker decided or was told not to give the ball up as the clock ran down. It's a nice change-up from Bledsoe taking the final shot.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Booker decided or was told not to give the ball up as the clock ran down. It's a nice change-up from Bledsoe taking the final shot.

Yeah, it was clearly his game to win or not. Or, at least, I think it was by design. But regardless, he'd been our primary weapon late in this game so it made sense for him to keep it.

 

[GatorAZ]

Booker game winners are the only acceptable wins.

 

[pokerface]

I want Chandler and Tucker traded pronto. These guys are playing too pumped up....

Tanks....Tanks a lot

 

[sunsfan88]

I hate the wins especially because LAL lost today but winning by Booker dropping 33 and the game winner is acceptable.

Brandon Knight had a rare good game and that's what changed the game. Hope he's back to his old ways soon.

On a side note, McDonough should trade him now and just show other GMs Knight's film from this game

 

[sunsfan88]

Bledsoe has become a master of getting contact on his shots.

It looks like he's been watching a lot of James Harden tape and that's completely okay with me.

I hope he learns a bit to flail his head back on his drives and fall to ground like someone shot him. If he can do that, improve as a playmaker, and if the Suns can bring in a bunch of shooters to put around him in addition to Booker then he can be an MVP candidate if the Suns could also somehow steal Mike D'Antoni back

 

[AzStevenCal]

Quote of the night, after being mugged by Tucker following the game:

"When a big play happens, you've got to get away from PJ"

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like he's been watching a lot of James Harden tape and that's completely okay with me.

I hope he learns a bit to flail his head back on his drives and fall to ground like someone shot him. If he can do that, improve as a playmaker, and if the Suns can bring in a bunch of shooters to put around him in addition to Booker then he can be an MVP candidate if the Suns could also somehow steal Mike D'Antoni back

Actually I think Bledsoe is there. However, he doesn't have to be overly dramatic because he is actually getting the contact.