The Phoenix Suns battle the San Antonio Spurs in a revenge game, having lost two close ones earlier this season. They need this one to halt a losing streak.
The Phoenix Suns almost beat San Antonio Spurs Monday night on what would have been the most dramatic ending of the season. Alas, Devin Booker‘s (perhaps slightly ill-advised, but Booker shot it so it immediately becomes advised) deep 3-pointer in the closing seconds fell off the mark and the Suns took their seventh one-possession loss of the season.
Two of the losses have come at the hands of the Spurs, the first being the frustrating defeat in Mexico City earlier in the year.
Luckily, the Suns get a chance at redemption tonight, just four days after that near-win.
While the team is likely revenge-hungry from their last game against the Spurs Monday night, they are likely also trying to make up for the embarrassing show they put on display Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers.
In order to get the win, though, they’ll once again have to place a large burden on the starters (plus Mikal Bridges) as their next best scoring options off the bench, Aron Baynes and Cameron Johnson will both be unavailable with lingering ailments.
Here is one big reason the team will get it done:
Devin Booker is in the final push to make the All-Star team. With the vote totals in, it is now up to the coaches to select the reserves and Booker will be right on the cusp of selection. Like voting of any type, it is easy for anyone to fall into the “what have you done lately,” mentality. A monster performance or two this week will do a lot for onlookers with a say in his All-Star placement.
Of course, a monster Devin Booker game a win does not make. As is the theme of his young career, he will need help. That could come from Ricky Rubio (who arguably is the team’s most valuable player when it comes to winning), recently-off-Twitter, Kelly Oubre, or maybe even Deandre Ayton.
Ayton seemed to regress some in this the game against the Pacers, settling for midrange jumpers rather than attacking the rim. A big night from him feels like it might be on the horizon.
Vegas favors the Spurs by 4.5, which feels about right.
The Suns, Spurs, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Pelicans are the four teams jostling for the 8th seed in the West. Wins against them will be huge if the Suns want to win this battle of the mediocre. They get their chance tonight and will need to take advantage to avoid starting a 3-game losing streak.