I don’t know which is more impressive.
Beat two of the top four teams in the NBA after a road trip in five games from the east or a 5-2 win in the last seven games with wins against Milwaukee, Philadelphia, New York, the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah.
In both cases, the bottom line led Phoenix to the top of the league after Friday’s games.
“I don’t think we’re going to slow down,” said Sun’s all-star guard Devin Booker. “We can only get better with more experience.”
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Sun coach Monty Williams estimates the 45:18 record, but is far from satisfied.
“They want to keep and improve what we are doing,” he said after Friday’s victory to end a 3-0 streak in jazz. “Of course it’s great for the city of Phoenix, great for our fans. It’s great for the players, but I can’t go into that. I love the mindset about how we can get better.”
Climbing the mountain is tough. It’s even more difficult to keep track of things.
With nine games remaining, Phoenix is able to end this shortened 72-game regular season with the best record in the league, but may have to win to get there.
It won’t be easy, but you should finish less 6-3.
Seven of Phoenix’s last nine games are on the way. Not ideal, but the Suns have the best road record in the league at 20-9.
They fight with the jazz and clippers who own the tiebreaker above them for the top seed of the west. Tankathon rated the Suns with the tougher remaining schedule of the three teams going into Saturday’s games.
- to sunbathe (15.): at OKC, at CLE, at ATL against NYK, at LAL, at GSW, against POR, at SA (2).
- Clippers (24.): against DEN, against TOR, against LAL, against NYK, with TOR, with CHA, with HOU, with OKC.
- jazz (25.): against TOR against SA (2) against DEN against HOU at GSW against POR at OKC at SAC.
With the Clippers and Jazz apparently having the easier finish due to the opposing record, Phoenix may have to win to hold the top seed and not fall to fourth place.
Denver is only three games behind the suns – and has the tiebreaker over it.
Fourth, in the west, the nuggets have the toughest remaining schedule of the seventh: at LAC, at LAL versus NYK, at UTA versus BKN, at CHA, at MINN, at DET, at POR.
A big deal for Denver but a flat finish for Phoenix could lead to a first-round matchup against defending champions Los Angeles Lakers, who have LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (calf) back from injury.
The Suns would have a home advantage, but facing the Lakers isn’t the cheap way to get back to the playoffs after an 11-year drought.
Beyond the schedule, Phoenix has a chance to rest players going into the playoffs with a top 6 spot locked to avoid the play-in tournament.
Other teams made it all season long. The suns have not and will not radiate their potential plans in this department either.
“We’re going to have these discussions. I’m not going to talk to anyone outside the building about it,” Williams said ahead of the game on Friday. “Just not something we’re going to release but our players have put the work in to play this time of year but we’ll be smart but it’s something we will have as an internal conversation.”
Back to the rest of the schedule, here’s a breakdown of Phoenix’s last nine games.
Most expected
May 9 in LA Lakers: Glob.
Phoenix are 2-0 against Lakers but Davis didn’t play in either game while James missed the second.
An opportunity for Phoenix to demonstrate once again that being NBA elite is worth it.
May 11 in the Golden State: Every game against Stephen Curry is a must-see on TV.
Kelly Oubre Jr. facing his former team makes it even more fascinating.
Currently, the Warriors are the tenth seed with the last box office and can’t afford to lose many more losses if they want the chance to reach the playoffs.
Rematch one
Friday versus New York: The Knicks led by 15 points in the first half and lost 118-110, which was the second of two consecutive games to complete a five-game road trip for the Suns.
Less than two weeks later, they meet again in Phoenix.
Simpler ones
Sunday in Oklahoma City: Phoenix defeated Oklahoma City by 37 points on April 2, but the Thunders were minus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (foot), Darius Bazley (shoulder), Mike Muscala (ankle) and Lu Dort (concussion log), plus Al Horford for the remainder of the season made inactive.
Bazley and Dort are back, but since this is Chris Paul’s return to OKC after taking the Thunder to the playoffs in his one season, Phoenix should be ready for those.
Tuesday in Cleveland: Sinking cavaliers must play from their thoughts in order to surpass the suns.
back to back
15.-16. April in San Antonio: The Spurs gave Phoenix the worst defeat of the season on April 17, 111-85, excluding DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills and Jakob Poeltl.
The NBA fined the Spurs $ 25,000 for resting three players on a single game, but they’ll likely play in those last two games, considering there’s a box office at stake here.
The suns are the ninth in the west. If Phoenix may have locked up a seed or two by this point, the Spurs could have a greater incentive to win.
Wednesday in Atlanta: Second back to back. The Suns are 11-4 a second back to back, but these games are still challenging, especially so late in the season.
Last home one
May 13 against Portland: The Blazers are trying to avoid the play-in after winning the experimental bubble last year in an attempt to reach the playoffs.
They’re 0-2 against Suns this season but haven’t played since their home loss of 127-121 to Phoenix to start the second half of the regular season.
Do you have an opinion on the current state of the sun? Reach Sun’s Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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