Southeast Division Prediction
In 2018-19, the Phoenix Suns franchise finished with a 2-8 record against the Southeast Division (ironically the same record they finished against all three Divisions in the East).
However, unlike the Atlantic and Central Divisions, the Suns will have a much easier time mowing through the Southeast and based on this prediction will finish with a reverse record from last year, going 8-2.
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The Southeast Division is very weak from top to bottom, and while both the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks have improved, neither are world-beaters allowing Phoenix to match up very well against them both.
Thus, the Suns could very well finish with a combined 16-14 record against the Eastern Conference this year (after finishing 8-22 in 2019-20), finishing above .500 against the Conference for the first time since 2014-15.
That year Phoenix finished with a 39-43 record and was the last full season with Jeff Hornacek as Head Coach.
Back then, that record was a disappointment and led to this current run of abject futility.
This year, a 39-43 record would be a 20-game improvement over last season and while it wouldn’t mean playoffs (the Suns would surely finish out of the postseason tournament with that record), it would mean a huge step in the right direction.
Next up I will break down and predict the Phoenix Suns vs each Division within the gauntlet that is the Western Conference, and see if maybe the Suns can find a way to win the extra games this season they need to make it into the playoffs in 2020.