Suns @ Rockets 4-7-19

[Mainstreet]

Suns play their last two season games on the road against the Rockets on Sunday and the Mavericks on Tuesday.

On Friday the Rockets (52-28) beat the Knicks 120-96. Meanwhile the Suns (19-61) beat the Pelicans 133-126 in overtime.

The Rockets have won fives games in a row and eight of their last ten games.

Sunday's game will be televised on FSAZ Plus and NBA TV. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. Arizona time.

The season is rapidly coming to an end.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've seen some conflicting game times ranging from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. but the DirecTV guide shows 4 p.m. so we shall see.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gina Mizell tweets the game begins at 6 p.m. local time. Here is the latest game information.


Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell



Per the #Suns’ injury report, Richaun Holmes (sprained ankle) is “TBD” to play tomorrow at Houston. No practice today, and no shootaround tomorrow with a 6pm local tip. Deandre Ayton (sprained ankle) and T.J. Warren (ankle soreness) are both out.


10:02 AM - 6 Apr 2019

 

[AzStevenCal]

I've seen some conflicting game times ranging from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. but the DirecTV guide shows 4 p.m. so we shall see.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it will start at 4 PM, the NBA TV channel shows it that way.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it will start at 4 PM, the NBA TV channel shows it that way.

Appreciate the confirmation. It looks like 4 p.m. is the Arizona start time.

I've never seen so many sources, at least three, with conflicting times.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Appreciate the confirmation. It looks like 4 p.m. is the Arizona start time.

I've never seen so many sources, at least three, with conflicting times.

NBA TV probably considered the Suns and Mavs game for the better time slot (for the west) and there was less interest than expected thanks to our record and our depleted roster, plus no Rookie award square off.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is a Duane Rankin tweet from a couple of hours ago.


Duane Rankin‏ @DuaneRankin 2h2 hours ago


Richaun Holmes (left ankle sprain) TBD for Sunday at #Rockets.

Deandre Ayton (left ankle) out. Devin Booker (left ankle), Tyler Johnson (right knee) and Kelly Oubre (left thumb) out for season.

TJ Warren (right ankle soreness/bruise) still out. Hasn't played since Jan. 22.

 

[Mainstreet]

Something to reflect on as the Suns near seasons end.


Evan Sidery‏ @esidery



The Suns will finish this season with equal odds along with the Knicks and Cavaliers to land No. 1, but they could slip as far as No. 7. 14% chance at Zion, 33% chance at falling out of the top five if the reverse standings maintain the final few days.


9:50 AM - 7 Apr 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Richaun Holmes is out today.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here are the starters.


Gina Mizell‏Verified account @ginamizell 1m1 minute ago


#Suns-Rockets about to tip

Phoenix starters: Okobo-Jackson-Bender-Bridges-Spalding (same as Friday's win vs. New Orleans)

Houston starters: Paul-Harden-Tucker-Gordon-Capela

 

[Mainstreet]

Josh Jackson knocks down a jumper to tie the game 2-2.

 

[Mainstreet]

Then Bridges hits a corner 3 pointer to cut the Rockets lead to 8-5.

 

[Mainstreet]

End of 1st quarter:

Rockets 34 - Suns 24

Bender has 7 points but has missed at least a couple of easy shots. He also has 5 rebounds.

 

[JerkFace]

Man, the nbatv commentators are killing the Suns. Talking about how if they were Igor they would of never taken a job with a perennial losing organization like the Suns. It’s amazing how far the perception of the Suns has fallen.

 

[BC867]

Jackson is a tease. Very good or not a factor.

Bender is frustrating. Just when it looks like he is ready to take the next step,
he appears very placid on the court.

Especially on put-backs or close-in shots. That is not a physical problem.

It indeed looks to be mental. The worst thing for a player like that is an
equally placid Head Coach. And the lack of a strong big man coach.

Bender evidently can't turn the corner on his own.

You'd hate to give up on a player like Bender but, until he is given proper
leadership, evidently the results are going to be disappointing.

 

[Mainstreet]

Man, the nbatv commentators are killing the Suns. Talking about how if they were Igor they would of never taken a job with a perennial losing organization like the Suns. It’s amazing how far the perception of the Suns has fallen.

I'm getting the FSAZ Plus feed.

Let them run their mouth. Igor definitely has improved his situation. He can always return to be an assistant head coach elsewhere if things don't work out.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't mind having Crawford back next season. He still plays quite well for his age.

 

[JerkFace]

I'm getting the FSAZ Plus feed.

Let them run their mouth. Igor definitely has improved his situation. He can always return to be an assistant head coach elsewhere if things don't work out.

The announcers on nbatv are unlistenable. I realize that they aren’t “locked into the Suns” but at one point they claimed Oubre wasn’t playing because of “load management” and then joked it was more like “lottery management”.

 

[Mainstreet]

The announcers on nbatv are unlistenable. I realize that they aren’t “locked into the Suns” but at one point they claimed Oubre wasn’t playing because of “load management” and then joked it was more like “lottery management”.

I've heard the same type remarks from other posters.

If they don't know Oubre had surgery it only reveals their lack of knowledge.

 

[BC867]

Eddie Johnson just brought up an interesting point about Bender's lack of power around
the basket. He said Bender still plays like he's 6'8" before his growth spurt to 7 feet.

That is lack of coaching.

 

[Mainstreet]

Halftime:

Rockets 77 - Suns 47

Crawford (16) and Bender (12) in double figures.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Eddie Johnson just brought up an interesting point about Bender's lack of power around
the basket. He said Bender still plays like he's 6'8" before his growth spurt to 7 feet.

That is lack of coaching.

Maybe but I'm pretty sure Bender played like he was still 5'6 until this season.

 

[slinslin]

I pity everyone who got suckered into wanting to give Bender more chances again after a good game against the tanking Pelicans where Jackson went off and Spalding even put up 21/13/3/3

About as worthy as Alec Peters game vs the Mavs last year

Physically hurts watching Bender blow all those layups and getting outreboundedby tucker straight up

 

[Mainstreet]

I pity everyone who got suckered into wanting to give Bender more chances again after a good game against the tanking Pelicans where Jackson went off and Spalding even put up 21/13/3/3

About as worthy as Alec Peters game vs the Mavs last year

Physically hurts watching Bender blow all those layups and getting outreboundedby tucker straight up

It hurts even more watching Chriss play.

 

[Evil Ash]

It hurts even more watching Chriss play.

That draft class was godawful for us. It's part of the reason I give Igor some leeway is because of how much of a mess this roster is