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Suns Analysis: Learning To Win After Losing Leads

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek (center) reacts alongside guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Goran Dragic (1) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek (center) reacts alongside guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Goran Dragic (1) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Suns Analysis
Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) grimaces after getting injured during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

A Habit To Avoid

To be clear, surrendering double-digit leads is not a habit the Suns should get into. The frustration in watching Phoenix play terrific basketball early on, only to grow complacent and allow their opponent back in the contest, is mounting with each passing game in this critical home stand.

It’s also worth noting that victories against the struggling Cavs, the Timberwolves, the Lakers and the short-handed Blazers don’t make the Suns world-beaters, especially when Phoenix keeps giving up big leads.

The Suns have 38 games left in the season, with 23 of them coming against current playoff teams — and that doesn’t include four games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans.

Phoenix currently holds a three-game advantage over OKC for the West’s final playoff spot, but with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy, the margin for error is extremely slim.

The Suns may have started this home stand with a perfect 4-0 record, but with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls coming to town, they can’t afford to let leads — especially double-digit ones — slip through their fingers.

"“We need to stop doing that,” Goran Dragic said after the Portland game. “Come up 20 and then they come back and take the lead, but we were focused enough in the fourth quarter to make big plays and it’s a huge win for us.”"

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