Suns and Jazz preseason encore
By Adam Maynes
Phoenix Suns (1-1) v Utah Jazz (3-0)
Monday 10/9/2017 7pm
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Sports 98.7FM
2016-17 Season Series – Utah won 3-0
All-Time Series – Phoenix leads 91-85
Last Matchup – Utah won 112-101
Suns’ Last Game – Loss to the Utah Jazz 112-101
Jazz’ Last Game – Win over the Phoenix Suns 112-101
2016-17 Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 107.7 (9th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 113.3 (30th of 30)
2016-17 Jazz’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 100.7 (28th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 96.8 (1st of 30)
Preview
It’s a good thing these games do not count yet because the Phoenix Suns are not looking like they have taken much of a step forward this season so far over last. The same problems that plagued them for the majority of the 2016-17 regular season – high turnovers and personal foul rates, technicals, poor assist numbers, poor shooting, and isolation play – seem to be right back where the Suns left them, and holding the team back from beating opponent’s that on paper should not be that much better than the purple gang.
In their first preseason loss to Utah, the Suns turned the ball over 20 times, strangely enough led by both Marquese Chriss and Alex Len’s 5 each; had 24 personal fouls, led by Chriss’ 6, fouling out in just over 24 minutes (Josh Jackson had 5 in 30min); 19 assists, led by Tyler Ulis’ 6, although Eric Bledsoe had only 2; and the Suns as a team shot a tepid 43.2% from the field, although only 19-47 from 2-point range for 40.4%).
Again, this is only the preseason, however if this is how they are playing already, what should Suns fans expect will change?
For a full wrap-up of the previous Suns vs Jazz preseason matchup, click here!
Game 3 of the preseason will be the Suns’ first at home and the first in the new white (hot) uni’s. It will also be the home debut of fourth overall selection Josh Jackson, who, if for no other reason in preseason, will be worth picking up a cheap ticket to go catch him in action live. (At press time, Suns fans can still pick up a ticket to the game for only $6.) (UPDATED: tickets are now available for as low as $5.)
In the two team’s prelude to this matchup, T.J. Warren and Dante Exum each took a nasty fall on a play under the Suns’ basket late in the first quarter. Warren hit his head and was originally to be placed on the concussion protocol with several stitches to his head. However, the following day it was reported that he no longer was and would be a game time decision in the preseason home opener. Unfortunately the result of the accident was not quite as slight for Exum who, on the play, had his shoulder separated. His injury ended up being far more serious than Warren’s, and Exum will miss the entire 2017-18 season to recover.
Interesting Statistics
Phoenix Suns
1. Nobody truly believes that Anthony Bennett is going to be a star for the Phoenix Suns, or even a fixture in any rotation this season or in the future. That being said, through two games he has yet to see a single minute of action. The official box score for the last game said that he was a DNP-illness, but nothing has been said much about that.
2. T.J. Warren led the Suns in scoring in the team’s first game against Portland with 24 and was leading the team in scoring with 8 when he went down with the previously discussed injury putting him on pace for over 20 points again.
3. In two games so far, Devin Booker is 3-5 from beyond the arc. On the other hand, his presumed backup this season, Troy Daniels, is 10-17.
Next: A Valley of the Suns fan's tribute to Connie Hawkins
Utah Jazz
1. Dante Exum, who suffered the separated shoulder, is only 22-years-old, but will already be forced to sit out his second entire season in his brief soon-to-be four-year career. In the summer of 2015, Exum tore his right ACL preventing him from playing in the 2015-16 season.
2. One shouldn’t expect too many assists in a Suns vs Jazz game. While the Suns had the second worst assist rate in the league last season with 19.6, Utah was only ranked one better with a 20.1 assist average per game.
3. That being said, with two games against international teams and one against the Suns, the Jazz average the fourth most assists per game in the 2017 preseason so far, with 26.0 per game.