Phoenix Suns: 5 Takeaways From The 2015-16 Schedule

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
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 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center. The Thunder defeated the Suns 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Ides Of March Are Coming

The schedule gets a lot easier in March, when the Suns’ quality of opponents drops off a bit.

They still have a matchup with Miami, two games against Memphis and a brutal road game at Oracle Arena against the defending champs to look forward to, but some of the other opponents that month include the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves (twice), Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics.

Unfortunately, only five of Phoenix’s 16 games in March come at home. The Suns don’t have a road trip longer than four games for the whole month, but 16 games in 31 days — with 11 of those games coming on the road — will take a physical toll.

With an easier batch of opponents in March, the Suns will need to fight through fatigue, jet lag and complacency to take advantage of their best opportunity to make up any ground they may have lost after such a brutal February schedule.

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