The Suns gained valuable experience in their back-to-back split this week,
This was more than just a back-toback for Phoenix.
Despite having the second-best record in the NBA, the Suns had an opportunity to see how they measured up not only against two of the league’s top teams, but squads they may see in the postseason.
Phoenix came out of it with a more than respectable split.
The Suns (36-15) earned a thrilling overtime victory Wednesday over NBAleading Utah, flew to Los Angeles and played the talented L.A. Clippers tough until wilting in the fourth quarter of a 10point loss that ended their seven-game winning streak.
“Our young guys have to understand that those are the kind of environments that you have to be comfortable in,” said Suns coach Monty Williams after Thursday’s 113-103 defeat. “Close games like that when the other team knows your plays. Intense games. Flagrant fouls. The officiating can’t take you out of your game. All that stuff we talk about, for a lot of our guys, these last two nights were the first time they’ve played in games like that. So you can only grow having experienced it.”
The Suns still are second in the West, trailing Utah by 21⁄2 games, but will own the tiebreaker over the Jazz (39-13) as they’ve won the season series.
However, Phoenix has just a twogame lead on Los Angeles going into Friday’s action as the Clippers secured the season series and will have the tiebreaker.
The Suns had a day off Friday before beginning a five-game homestand Saturday, with Miami being the only opponent with a winning record.
So let’s revisit the big back-to-back and look ahead to this stretch of games at Phoenix Suns Arena starting Saturday against Washington.
Player of Wednesday’s game: Devin Booker
Deandre Ayton was huge not only in posting a double-double, but he matched Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert all night in powering Phoenix’s 61-45 rebounding edge.
Ayton accounted for seven of Phoenix’s 16 offensive boards.
Chris Paul orchestrated a 29-point, nine-assist effort to once again show why Phoenix made the move to get him in the offseason, but Devin Booker was special.
Not only did he match fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell in scoring a teamhigh 35, he played a game-high 44 minutes and stayed aggressive despite shooting 13-of-31 from the field, committing a game-high six turnovers and missing a 3 at the buzzer in regulation.
Booker scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in OT and his screen to free up Cam Johnson for a huge 3 was maybe as big as his points.
Player of Thursday’s game: Mikal Bridges
Ayton posted his 27th double-double with 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 10 rebounds. Probably should’ve gotten more FGAs, but that wouldn’t have been enough to offset the Clippers going 18of-37 from 3.
Plus he had four of Phoenix’s 15 turnovers. That didn’t help as the Clippers scored 26 points off those 15 miscues.
Booker scored a game-high 24, going 12-of-14 from the line.
He didn’t turn the ball over, but finished the game with four fouls.
Bridges did more than just score 20 points, going 3-of-6 from 3, and grab five rebounds.
He overcame going scoreless against the Jazz as he only took one shot in large part due to being in foul trouble. He ended up with five fouls.
“I’m happy we won so that’s the biggest thing,” Bridges said.
“I wish I was out there more, but at the end of the day, we won. So I was happy and then I knew we had another game to get ready to prepare for and lock in.”
Williams was going to put Bridges in the game to start overtime, but was “overruled” by his coaching staff as he stuck with Johnson. Proved to be a good move, but Bridges didn’t allow that to negatively spill over into Thursday.
Respect. Appropriate fear
Williams knew the importance of the back-to-back, but said he treats every game like it’s a playoff situation.
“I was taught that being around (Gregg Popovich) for years. I learned it from Nate (McMillan),” said Williams before the Jazz game. “If you approach every game with a level of respect and appropriate fear, you don’t have to change.”
Clearly Utah and L.A. Clippers had their ultimate respect and full attention.
Not so certain the Suns will have it at that level for every opponent on this five-game homestand. Sure they’ll respect them because they’re NBA teams with talented and proven players, but the fear side of it is what the Suns could be fighting.
Saturday vs. Washington Wizards
Reason to respect: Washington blasted Phoenix by 21 points as the Wizards led by as many as 32.
But: The loss was at the end of a three-game road trip. The Suns were 7-4 at the time. They’ve gone 29-11 since. The Wizards have the third-worst record in the East.
Reason to fear: Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Beal leads the league in scoring while Westbrook is first in the NBA in triple-doubles.
But: This will be the second of a backto-back for the Wizards, who play Friday night at Golden State.
Monday vs. Houston Rockets
Reason to respect: Rockets nearly came back to top Phoenix last week before losing a shootout, 133-130, in Houston.
But: Phoenix is 2-0 versus Houston, which has the league’s second-worst record.
Reason to fear: After all the roster changes, the Rockets are a team playing better now under first-year coach Stephen Silas.
But: Houston doesn’t seem to have an answer for Ayton, who is averaging 26.5 points and 14 rebounds against the Rockets this season.
Tuesday vs. Miami Heat
Reason to respect: Miami is 5-1 in its last six games.
But: Suns beat the Heat, 110-100, last month as they led by as many as 23.
Reason to fear: Jimmy Butler is averaging 23.3 points (four games) in April. The Heat leader looks like he’s back as Miami tries to move up East standings.
But: Miami is 26th in the league in 3point shooting.
Thursday vs. Sacramento Kings
Reason to respect: Suns are 1-1 against Kings.
But: They last played in December when trying to develop chemistry.
Reason to fear: De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Fox is one of the game’s best young talents while Haliburton is having a great rookie season.
But: Sacramento has lost five in a row with its last two coming against Minnesota, which has the NBA’s worst record, and Detroit, which has the worst record in the East, each by double digits.
April 17 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Reason to respect: Williams has so much admiration for Popovich, he’ll make sure the Suns respect the Spurs.
But: First meeting. Spurs are doubledigit games behind Suns in West.
Reason to fear: Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan. Murray is a young talent while the veteran DeRozan always competes.
But: On paper, Phoenix is simply the better and deeper team.