Former Suns Return to Phoenix One Night Only

Phoenix Suns (21-42) v Washington Wizards (37-24)

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

Season Series – Washington leads 1-0
All-Time Series – Series tied 61-61
Last Matchup – November 21, 2016 Washington won 106-101
Suns’ Last Game – Win over the Boston Celtics 109-106
Wizards’ Last Game – Win over the Orlando Magic 115-114
Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 107.5 (10th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 112.5 (29th of 30)
Wizards’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 108.0 (5th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 105.6 (17th of 30)

Preview

On Sunday afternoon Tyler Ulis hit a three-pointer that meant more than just an exciting game-winner for an exciting rookie. That shot gave the Suns their first three-game winning streak this season; the first three game winning streak of Head Coach Earl Watson’s career; and the first three-game winning streak since 2015.

475 days had passed since the Phoenix Suns had last had a theee-game streak – the longest such gap in franchise history – with the last streak occurring in the early days of the 2015-16 season when Markieff Morris was still on the roster, mere months before his trade, the firing of Jeff Hornacek, and the promotion of Watson.

To read a recap of that game click here. To check out a fanciful video replay of the the Ulis three, watch below.

If #Suns fans are not already excited about the future, this will help: https://t.co/s0f3PHrA6g
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) March 7, 2017

The Wizards, who began the season 3-9 and didn’t reach .500 until early January, have now won 18 of their last 23. Washington is of course led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Bradley Beal and John Wall, each averaging over 22 points per game. Wall’s 10.8 assists per outing is second in the league behind James Harden. Aside from Bojan Bogdanovic who has only appeared in six games for the Wizards thus far, Markieff Morris is Washington’s third leading scorer averaging 14.6 points while grabbing 6.7 rebounds, second behind another former Sun, Marcin Gortat, who is pulling down 11.2.

The Suns and Wizards last played way back on November 21, in D.C. with the Wizards still struggling to find their way. Washington won 106-101, although it took a strong 4th quarter by the Wizards to overtake Phoenix late. Bradley Beal led all scorers with 42 points; John Wall led all guards with 15 assists; and Marcin Gortat led all players with 13 rebounds.

Three Interesting Stats

Phoenix Suns

1. The League’s worst assists per game team all season, averaging barely 18 per game, has now – over their last ten games – seen their assists per game rate spike placing them in the top-10 over that stretch, averaging 24.0. Over their last five game they average 24.4, and last three, 24.7.

2. Since the All-Star break, Tyler Ulis is averaging 9.86 assists and 2.39 turnovers per 36 minutes.

3. Eric Bledsoe is averaging a career-high 6.4 assists per game this season, but has upped it to 8 assists per game since the All-Star break.

Washington Wizards

More from Valley of the Suns

1. The Wizards have touted three players on their roster this season with Morris, Gortat, and Marcus Thornton, although he was traded at the deadline for Bojan. The Detroit Pistons lead the league in former Suns with four.

2. Marcin Gortat’s 11.2 rebounds per game is his career-high, currently besting the 10.0 he grabbed in his first full season in Phoenix – the only other season he averaged a double-double.

3. Markieff Morris’ 6.7 rebounds per game is also a career-high, and his 14.6 points is highest since 2014-25 in Phoenix when he averaged 15.3, the only other season he started every game of the season.