SUNS’ CHANCES GOOD
The odds are long, but so what? The Phoenix Suns have a chance to light up the magical kingdom of the NBA’s Disney World bubble.
Phoenix (26-39) has qualified as one of the 22 teams invited to resume the season in Florida, and to pull off an improbable but not impossible run to the playoffs, the Suns need to treat each of the eight games on their schedule like a must-win.
Good thing coach Monty Williams has a plan.
“The way I’ve always approached every situation is to not get too far ahead of myself,” he said. “We obviously have a goal, which is to make the playoffs. But I learned a long time ago that you can’t skip steps … That starts with having a
good day today.”
Second-year center Deandre Ayton heard that message and has a few games he’s looking forward to.
“All of ’em,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to every game as an opportunity for us to really show what we’ve got. And it’s a blessing, as well. There’s a little window to make the playoffs and to make some history. ... We’re young and hungry, and we’re ready to play.”
Let’s look at what the Suns face in the Initial Eight.
Game 1: Wizards (24-40) on July 31. The Suns suffered a 140-132 loss to Washington in late November. It was one of the worst defensive outings of the season for Phoenix.
The Suns didn’t guard the threepoint line well, allowing the Wizards to shoot 54% from long range with 19 made three-pointers.
That might not be a problem in the Orlando rematch.
Not only has Williams watched the Washington film — “more times than I should,” he said — but the Wizards could be without their most effective three-point shooters, Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans.
Washington’s Three-Bs combined for 51 total points, including 24 from behind the arc on 8-of-14 three-point shooting (57 percent).
Beal hasn’t decided whether he’ll play. Bertans already has said he’s out.
Game 2: Mavericks (40-27) on Aug. 2.
In late November, Dallas beat Phoenix 120-113.
Luka Doncic went for 42 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.
Then in late January, Phoenix branded the Mavericks 133-104.
Doncic scored just 21 and had more turnovers (4) than assists (2).
Looking for evidence that the January version was the real deal?
The first time Phoenix played Dallas, Ayton was out and All-Star Devin Booker (and how nice is that to say?) was in the midst of a tough stretch.
In the rematch, Booker scored 32 and Ayton added 31 on 13-for-15 shooting.
Game 3: Clippers (44-20) on Aug. 4. Yeah … this could be a problem. The Clippers have Paul George AND Kawhi Leonard AND Patrick Beverley. The only thing tougher than getting a good shot over those guys is making a good shot over those guys.
The Suns are 1-2 against the Clippers this year. Booker had 30 in the win. Game 4: Pacers (39-26) on Aug. 6. Indiana’s young star Victor Oladipo isn’t going to play.
He’s been finding his way back after a horrible leg injury about 18 months ago, and he’s shutting his season down to focus on that.
Oladipo appeared in just 13 games this year, and it seemed like Indiana was bringing him back cautiously, keeping his minutes under 30 each night.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, it might not matter that Indiana won’t have him.
Oladipo wasn’t on the floor when the Pacers beat the Suns 112-87 in January. Game 5: Heat (41-24) on Aug. 8. Miami beat Phoenix 124-108 way back in early November.
It had a lot to do with Jimmy Butler. He scored 34 and helped hold Booker to just 22. Also, Miami rookie Tyler Herro came off the bench aggressively, eager to go against Booker.
Booker was Herro’s favorite player growing up.
Game 6: Thunder (40-24) on Aug. 10. The Suns are 0-2 against Oklahoma City this year, but Booker had 27 when they played in late January.
In that game, the Suns were up by five points late in the fourth quarter and down just one point with 9 seconds to play.
This is a tough matchup, but Phoenix can beat Oklahoma City with the right effort.
Game 7: 76ers (39-26) on Aug. 11. Booker torched Philadelphia for 40 points in a 114-109 win early in the season.
But this is likely to be less about Booker, and more about Ayton.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid has a combined 75 points with 35 rebounds in two career games against Ayton.
Ayton has evolved a lot since that rookie season.
He’ll have a chance to show it here. Game 8: Mavericks (40-27) on Aug. 13.
There’s a real chance, however improbable, that the Suns could still be in contention here.
They have the right mindset. Just ask Ayton.
“We’re not coming here proper to smile it up with everybody,” he said. “We’re here to work.”