Predicting the Phoenix Suns in 2019-20 vs the Northwest Division

Karl-Anthony Towns Nikola Jokic Phoenix Suns (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

Northwest Division Prediction

If the Phoenix Suns are going to stand a shot at 40 wins this season let alone a playoff run, they are going to need to do really well against the teams that they could beat, and at least avoid being swept against those teams that on paper are significantly better than them.

In my breakdown of the Suns versus the Eastern Conference Divisions, I do have Phoenix coming out with an above-.500 record, albeit, by two games.

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If the Suns are going to have an above-.500 record against the West, they are going to have to do surprisingly well against the Northwest Division in particular as it is possibly the “weakest” of the three Divisions in the Western Conference.

That said – I have them finishing 8-10.

Not a bad start at all considering how difficult the Southwest and Pacific Divisions are from top to bottom, but probably not enough for a franchise dying for at least 40 wins if nothing else this season.

And yet, if the Utah Jazz are not nearly as good as many believe (it’s a long-shot, but I’ll run with it for a second), and the Suns are at least able to tie that series (if they play four games), then Phoenix will tie the Northwest Division 9-9.

If the Suns are able steal another win from either Denver or Portland, Phoenix will finish the Division out with a winning record (again – I do believe that this is a weaker Division so if the Suns are markedly better this coming season then it is absolutely possible).

As it stands though, if my prediction holds, coupled with my combined predictions against the Eastern Conference Divisions, the Phoenix Suns are at .500 through four Divisions with two to go, a very comfortable 24-24. That would place them well on their way to 40 wins, with just the Southwest and Pacific Divisions to go.