Valley of the Suns
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Could Tonight be the Last Time Cousins Faces the Suns?

By Adam Maynes

Jan 2, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles to the basket while defender by Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) and forward TJ Warren (12) during the first quarter of the NBA game at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles to the basket while defender by Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) and forward TJ Warren (12) during the first quarter of the NBA game at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns (15-34) v Sacramento Kings (19-30)

Friday 2/3/2017 8:30pm
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Fox Sports Arizona Plus/Arizona Sports 98.7FM

Season Series – Kings lead 1-0
All-Time Series – Phoenix leads 130-89
Last Matchup – October 26, 2016 Sacramento Kings won 113-94
Suns’ Last Game – Loss to the Los Angeles Clippers 124-114
Kings’ Last Game – Loss to the Houston Rockets 105-83
Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 106.5 (11th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 112.3 (29th of 30)
Kings’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 103.0 (22nd of 30) Opp PTS/G: 106.1 (21st of 30)

Preview

The Suns are mired in a season-long 5-game losing streak, a well-covered though surprising point given the Suns’ record at the moment. Phoenix has yet to have a three-game winning streak as well and Earl Watson is actually the only Head Coach in franchise history to not have a winning streak of at least three games.

These two division rivals have only met one other time this season, way back on opening night in Phoenix where the Kings ran all over the stunned Suns, winning by 19. The only bright spot came in the third quarter when the Suns starters proved they were no match to the Kings starters and the Suns CUBs of Chriss, Ulis, and Bender helped mount a furious comeback that almost saved the day. Alas, they didn’t have the strength nor the experience to finish off the comeback with a victory, though they did set up a season of very exciting moments for the young Suns.

Phoenix’s losing isn’t the story at the moment, however, as the Suns are taking on the Sacramento Kings tonight, two teams that have been publicly connected to in trade rumors specifically around the acquisition of Sacramento superstar center, DeMarcus Cousins.

It has been reported that the two teams have discussed a package that would include T.J. Warren and Alex Len, as well as at least this season’s 1st Rd pick, something that is almost guaranteed to fall within the top-5. Much has been written about such a rumor, so if you have missed out, to get caught up on the trade discussions, check these out:

Trade Rumor: Phoenix and Sacramento Discussing Cousins Trade

How Would the Suns Look with DeMarcus Cousins

Special DeMarcus Cousins Trade Discussion Podcast

My Opinion: GO GET DEMARCUS COUSINS

My Opinion: DO NOT TRADE FOR DEMARCUS COUSINS

5 Important Stats

Phoenix Suns

1. Devin Booker has scored at least 20 points in fourteen straight games – a career-high. Booker has scored at least 20 points on 27 occasions this season. The Suns are 6-21 in those games.

2. The Suns currently have the 2nd worst record in the NBA, meaning, of course, that they are on pace for the 2nd overall pick in the draft. Phoenix has never had the first pick and has had the 2nd twice, most recently in 1987 when they drafted Armon Gilliam.

3. In his last six games, Eric Bledsoe has scored 40, 18, 28, 41, 14, 41. His first 40 points game being the first of his career. Over that six-game stretch Bledsoe’s averages are: 30.3p, 4.3r, 7.5a while he’s shooting 46.5% from the field, 38.9% from beyond the arc, and 87.3% from the FT line. Aside from rebounds, each of those stats are above his season averages and would be career highs as well.

4. One of the key pieces in the rumored DeMarcus Cousins deal is Alex Len. Over his last four games, Len has averaged 2.8p, 3.8r, .5b, 2.5f, with a 35.7% FG%. Not helping his trade value…

5. Over their last four games the Phoenix defense has allowed 122.25pts per game, the highest for any team that has not faced either Houston or Golden State in that brief period.

DeMarcus Cousins er… Sacramento Kings

1. This season thus far, DeMarcus Cousins is averaging career-highs in points with 28.2 and assists with 4.4. He has scored at least 30 points 20 times this season and dished out at least 5 assists 19 times.

2. Cousins is the 4th leading scorer in the league. His 28.2 points per game would be a full point above Phoenix’s franchise leader, Tom Chambers, who averaged 27.2 in 1989-90. His 28.2 would be 11th best in Kings franchise history.

3. DeMarcus has a Value over Replacement Player of 3.7 this season, 8th best in the NBA. Eric Bledsoe is the only Sun above .9, and sits at a 2.5 at the moment.

4. The Sacramento Kings are 14-8 against Phoenix since DeMarcus Cousins’ rookie year.

5. The superstar Center averages 23.2p, 11.4r, and 2.7a against Phoenix with his 6th best FG% against any individual team of 50.3%

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