It’s no exaggeration to say the Phoenix Suns are playing some impressive basketball as of late. Let’s take a look at their 5-2 stretch by the numbers.
The Phoenix Suns must have ready my recent article, because they truly are playing “spoiler” lately. It’s an honor to have been able to help. All jokes aside, they are playing some impressive basketball lately and it’s been a breath of fresh air for fans after the season they have been having.
They’ve won 5 of their last 7 games, with some shocking wins, and are showing what they are capable of in the future. They beat the best team in the East in the Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the best in the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat at home and LeBron’s Lakers.
Let’s take a look at their recent stretch by the numbers.
*Note* All of the following statistics are over the last 7 games unless otherwise stated.
.714 : The Suns have won 5 of their last 7 games, good for a .714 record. Only the Houston Rockets (7-0) and LA Clippers (6-1) have fared better.
116.3 : Phoenix is averaging 116.3 points per game, tied with the Portland TrailBlazers. Only 5 teams are scoring more each night and it’s a huge climb from the 24th rank on the season.
23.9 and 28.9 : The Suns lead the league in free throws made and attempted after getting almost no respect or calls over the duration of the season.
.827 : They are fourth in free throw percentage. Not only do they get to the line now but they knock them down and make them count.
10.1 : Phoenix leads the league in steals per game and are actually 2nd in the NBA this season.
5.6 : The Suns are tied with The Golden State Warriors for 8th in blocks per game, quite a jump from 19th on the season.
27 to 10 : The team’s offensive rank this season and over this stretch.
29 to 15 : The leap the team’s defensive rating has taken on the season and on this run.
5 : Phoenix ranks 5th in PACE. They love to push the ball up the floor and fans love to watch them do it.
26 to 11 : The Suns rank 26th in 2nd chance points this season. They’re 11th on this stretch.
22.3 : Purple and orange leads the league in points off turnovers.
18 : They are 4th in the NBA in fast break points.
59.9 : The percentage of made field goals that were assisted, which is good for 14th in the league. This is quite the feat for a team without a legit point guard.
98.2 : Devin Booker‘s free throw percentage. He’s made 55 of his last 56 shots at the charity stripe.
27.7 : How many points per game Book is scoring, 10th in the association.
2.3 : Mikal Bridges is averaging this many steals per game, 3rd in the NBA. He’s actually 5th in total steals on the season. Over the last 7 games, he’s shooting 57.6% from the field, 36.8% from three and 81% at the free throw line. How’s that for 3-and-D?
19 : Kelly Oubre Jr is scoring 19 points per game. One of the reasons why his swag is legit.
64.4 : Booker, Oubre and Deandre Ayton‘s combined scoring per game. Did someone say “Big 3”?
6.8 : Tyler Johnson‘s insane assist to turnover ratio. He’s dished out 34 assists and only turned the ball over 5 times.
1 : Igor Kokoskov has held onto his job and is showing the team that they were smart to keep him.
These are some impressive numbers over an impressive stretch. No one expects them to be able to keep it up and that’s part of the reason why the run just keeps growing. Go Suns!