Phoenix Suns: 5 Takeaways From The 2015-16 Schedule

By Gerald Bourguet | Aug 13, 2015

Mar 2, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles past Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Phoenix Suns

Mar 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Suns Need To Start Fast

When you look at the number of home and away game in the Suns’ first month or so, you’d think they’d have a great chance at getting off to a good start for the season. The Suns play eight of their first 11 games at home, but unfortunately for Phoenix, nine of their first 10 games (and 14 of their first 16) are against Western Conference opponents.

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Last season, the Suns got off to a 10-6 start before falling to 12-14. In the West, Phoenix can’t afford another slow start to the season, even if they’d have a valid excuse with Markieff Morris’ situation currently up in the air.

Of the first 11 games, the three road games are potentially tough ones (Portland, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City), but their eight home games are relatively winnable (Dallas, Portland, Sacramento, Detroit, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago).

It’s vital that Phoenix develops a rhythm early on, because after a favorable start opponent-wise, the schedule starts to really heat up.

Next: No. 3