Suns: Phoenix commits many turnovers in blowout loss to Utah Jazz.
Jazz score 47 points off Phoenix mistakes
The Phoenix Suns fell to 1-2 in the preseason with a 120-102 loss to the Utah Jazz Monday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Center Alex Len put together a third straight impressive performance with 18 points and six rebounds. Mike James came off the bench to score 12 points, rookie Josh Jackson contributed 14 points and four rebounds, and Devin Booker had a team-high 19 points.
But the Suns were done in by their offensive sloppiness. Phoenix committed 31 turnovers, which the Jazz turned into 47 points. Nineteen of those turnovers came before halftime, and Utah, which never trailed, took a 65-41 lead into the locker room.
Phoenix has allowed at least 110 points in all three of its preseason games. Utah shot 52.7 percent from the field and was led by point guard Ricky Rubio, who scored 20 points – all in the first half – on 8 of 10 shooting.
Center Tyson Chandler received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected midway through the second quarter. After getting hit in the stomach by Utah’s Raul Neto, Chandler responded with a body check that sent Neto flying to the floor.
The Suns wind up their preseason schedule with games Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Ulis adjusts to loss of Williams
The knee injury that has sidelined center Alan Williams for six months already has had an impact on the Suns. More specifically, backup point guard Tyler Ulis.
Ulis is 6 of 20 from the field after two preseason games as he tries to find a rhythm with backup center Alex Len. Last season, Ulis and Williams developed a feel for each other on the pickand-roll, with Williams able to seal the guard off, catch a pocket pass from Ulis and make a floater as he went to the rim.
“I think we’re putting too much pressure on Tyler to make plays,” said coach Earl Watson. “He misses Big Al. You can tell he misses Big Al diving (to the basket), the pressure he puts on a defense. You always knew with Tyler and Big Sauce something good was going to happen going to the rim. Their chemistry was just amazing.”
Len is averaging 16 points and 11.6 rebounds through two games and got the start in Monday’s late preseason game against Utah.
Warren update
Forward T.J. Warren suffered a back injury as well as a head laceration against the Jazz on Friday and was held out of Monday’s game as he continues to recuperate, Watson said.
Watson said if it was an important regular-season game Warren likely would have “pushed through” and played.
“That was a hard fall,” Watson said. “He hit his back and his head. Good thing is he’s OK. Just a laceration and not a concussion.”
Sharpshooter
Backup shooting guard Troy Daniels knew that 3-point shooting was one of the Suns’ weaknesses last year; Phoenix made just 33.2 percent of its 3-point attempts, 27th in the league. That’s why Daniels was excited when the Suns acquired him from Memphis.
“It’s just a great opportunity,” said Daniels, who made 38.9 percent of his 3-pointers last season for the Grizzlies and has hit five 3s in each of the Suns’ first two preseason games. “It’s a great team for me to be on, it’s a young team and I’m a young player as well (26) so I was really looking forward to it.”
Of course, it’s not like the Suns are the only team that can use a 3-point threat like Daniels.
“I think any team in the NBA my skills can shine because shooting, everybody needs it,” Daniels said. “I’ve always been able to shoot.”