Valley of the Suns
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Suns Try to Avoid a Hornet’s Sting in Phoenix

By Adam Maynes

Jan 6, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) dribbles the basketball as Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) defends in the second half of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) dribbles the basketball as Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) defends in the second half of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns (18-42) v Charlotte Hornets (26-34)

Thursday 3/2/2017 7pm
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Fox Sports Arizona/Arizona Sports 98.7FM

Season Series – Series tied at 0-0
All-Time Series – Phoenix Leads 33-19
Last Matchup – March 1, 2016 Charlotte won 126-92
Suns’ Last Game – Loss to the Memphis Grizzlies 130-112
Hornets’ Last Game – Win over the Los Angeles Lakers 109-104
Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 107.1 (10th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 112.8 (29th of 30)
Hornets’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 104.8 (18th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 104.4 (10th of 30)

Preview

Still trying to work their way through the loss of P.J. Tucker and the benching of Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight, the Phoenix Suns faced their toughest test since the All-Star break two nights ago when facing the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that had already dismantled the Suns twice this season – with the aforementioned three players still in the active rotation.

It appeared that the Grizzlies didn’t mind at all who the Suns ran out and weren’t going to change the outcome as their seasonal domination of Phoenix continued with a 130-112 stomping. To check out statistical records for several players and both teams, read the official Valley of the Suns recap here.

Tonight’s matchup with the Hornets is the first of two meetings this season opening the longest homestand for the Suns this year, five games, and a stretch of eight home games in a nine game stretch. This season Phoenix is 8-3 against Eastern Conference opponents at home, while the Hornets are 5-7 against the West on the road. On top of that record the Hornets, the Phoenix game is Charlotte’s sixth in a seven game road trip where they are currently 2-3 overall with two overtime losses in the last three games.

For the Hornets, Kemba Walker is having a statistical season very similar to that of Eric Bledsoe, averaging 22.8p/4.1r/5.4a/48.2% FG%/40.5% 3PT% and as of last week, was a first time All-Star. In his four games since the All-Star break, Walker is on a fantastic offensive tear with three 30 point games and averaging 27.5p/4.25r/5.25a/52.9% FG/53.3% 3PT overall.

Three Interesting Stats

Phoenix Suns

1. As mentioned above, the Suns have an 8-3 record at home against Eastern Conference opponents, and they are 11-9 against the East overall, including 0-2 since the All-Star break.

2. Phoenix’s home record this season is 10-18 for 39.3%, which is projected to be a hair better than last season’s 14-27 record at home, a 38.0% win percentage.

3. With 42 losses already in the books, the Suns would need to finish the season on a 15-7 run to avoid losing 50 games for the second straight season. While that seems highly unlikely, if they do lose at least 50, it will be the first time since the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons that the franchise has had back-to-back seasons of at least 50 losses. However, in those two seasons the Suns lost 102 total games. Since last season through this year, the Suns have already lost 101 times. The worst two season stretch in franchise history was 1968-69 and 1969-70 when the Suns lost 109 games total. If the Suns finish 25-57, which they are currently on pace to do, they will shatter the two season stretch with 116 losses.

More from Valley of the Suns

Charlotte Hornets

1. The Charlotte Hornets have a 10-14 record against Western Conference opponents, and as mentioned above, a 5-7 record on the road against the West.

2. Regardless of whether at home or on the road, the Hornets are 7-3 vs Western Conference teams who are currently not slated to make the playoffs. Phoenix is game two of a stretch against three non-playoff Western Conference teams, beginning with Los Angeles two nights ago, and finishing with Denver on Saturday night.

3. The Hornets are 7-19 in Phoenix all-time. Their last victory in Arizona came on November 14, 2014. Eric Bledsoe led all players in scoring, rebounds, and three-pointers made.

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