Suns change frontcourt lineup in rebound win over Pistons,

The final score suggests Phoenix defeated Detroit in comfortable fashion Friday, 109-92, but Monty Williams didn’t clear the bench until 2:56 remaining in the game.

He had good reason to wait that late to do so.

“Utah was up by 30 and Detroit cut it to four, I think,” Williams said.

Close enough.

The Jazz led by as many as 28 points late in the first half, but the Pistons stormed back to pull within four late in the fourth before losing, 117-105, Tuesday night.

“I watched that game,” Williams continued. “They don’t quit and they’re a lot like us in that they have a mantra that they follow and there’s is toughness. Ours is relentless.”

Williams noted the 22 turnovers that led to 21 Detroit points Friday was problematic, but he also saw Detroit rally from 23 points down to top his Suns in overtime Jan. 8.

So Williams had a right to feel uncomfortable, but Phoenix started its seven-game homestand victorious after getting drummed by 22 points Wednesday at New Orleans.

The Suns (12-9) resume play Sunday against Boston. Here’s look back at their 17point win and ahead to the noon showdown against the Celtics (12-9) on NBATV as healthcare workers received complimentary tickets to attend.

Celtics cut down Clippers without Brown

Boston pulled out an 119-115 road win Friday over the Los Angeles Clippers without star wing Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left knee soreness.

“From my time being here, regardless of who we have playing, we always feel like we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win,” Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum said.

Even without Brown, who is averaging 26.4 points, Boston has plenty of talent led by Tatum and Kemba Walker. The Celtics also sat forward Daniel Theis with right knee soreness at the half of Friday’s game, but Brad Stevens said it isn’t “anything big.”

As for Brown, Stevens said before the game he was day-to-day.

Sunday’s game will be the fourth in six days on a five-game road trip that ends Tuesday at Utah (18-5), which has the NBA’s top record.

Stevens called this stretch of games “insane.” Phoenix will still have its hands full Sunday regardless of who Boston plays.

Player of Friday’s win: Frank Kaminsky III

The All-Star backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul led the Suns to victory as they combined for 43 points, but Kaminsky was the wild card Friday night.

After New Orleans imploded Phoenix’s defense with 56 paint points as Zion Williamson accounted for 22 of those in his 28-point night, Williams felt he did Cam Johnson a disservice asking him to start the game guarding the 6-7, 284-pound phenom.

Combine that with knowing Detroit opens big with Blake Griffin and Mason Plumlee, Williams started Kaminsky to help combat that size.

“It may be a deal where we change it up for the rest of the season, depending on who we’re playing against at that position because that’s the position that changes the most throughout the league,” Williams said after Friday’s game.

Finding out the morning of the game, Kaminsky scored a season-high 15 points, hitting 3-of-4 shots from 3, and grabbed five rebounds.

“For me personally, it’s keeping the same mindset I had the last couple of weeks, week or so,” Kaminsky said. “Just go out there, be aggressive.”

Injury issues

Now Plumlee and Griffin both backed Kaminsky into the paint for buckets, but combined for just 20 points. Griffin went just 2of-9 from the field (0-for-5 on 3s).

So it worked out for Phoenix, but Williams had limited options to start for Johnson.

Jae Crowder (right foot soreness) and Dario Saric (left ankle sprain) were both ruled out.

Before Friday’s game, Williams said Crowder was day-to-day and Saric, who is off the NBA’s health and safety protocols, sprained his ankle gearing up to return.

After Saturday’s practice, Williams said there weren’t any injury updates.

Saric, who has only played seven games after sitting the first three with right quad soreness, has missed Phoenix’s last 10 games with nine under health/safety protocols.

Williams could’ve tried Damian Jones or rookie Jalen Smith, but they’ve missed extended time under health/safety protocols.

Kaminsky was really his best option.

‘I don’t think you have that luxury’

The move led to Johnson coming off the bench. Like Kaminsky, Johnson also played well in scoring 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.

“I’m not going to shy away from any matchup,” Johnson said after Saturday’s practice. “I’m going to compete to the best of my abilities and I’m going to compete whether I’m in the starting lineup or I’m the eighth guy off the bench.”

Only took three shots from 3, made one, but Williams liked Johnson’s overall efforts.

“His rebounding at the end of the first and second quarter was huge for us,” Williams said. “He stuck his nose in there and got his hand on the ball or he got the ball.”

The question now becomes will Williams keep basing his decision on who to start at the four on the matchup or settle on one player for the long haul.

"I don't think you have that luxury this year because of the way the COVID situation has hampered us," he said. "With injuries. Back-to-backs. I think you have to have some versatility this year. The comfort level is probably game-to-game and just being able to adjust. That's what my comfort level is. The ability to adjust to whatever the situation is."

Crowder has the most starts between Johnson, Kaminsky, Saric and himself with 15 as he started Phoenix’s first 11 games (7-4 record).

Johnson has the second-most starts with nine.

Crowder and Johnson started together when Booker missed four games with the left hamstring strain. When Booker returned, Johnson remained a starter as Williams wanted to give Johnson, Paul, Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton time to jell.

Two games later with the second one ending in 22-point loss to the Pelicans, Williams broke up that unit that went 2-3 by starting Kaminsky for the first time this season.

Staying big to match Boston?

Looking at Boston’s roster and taking injuries into account, Phoenix will likely stay big to match Tristan Thompson at center and Grant Williams or Robert Williams III at the four.

Monty Williams initially started Johnson in hopes to have better starts as a team. He likes Johnson’s shooting and cutting ability.

However, Johnson’s 3-point percentage has dipped to 36.2% after living in the 40 percentile. He’s made only five of his last 16 shots from deep.