Why Detroit is the Phoenix Suns most important game so far this season

A night after beating the Boston Celtics, in Boston, Phoenix travels to Detroit to play the lowly Pistons in what may be the Suns’ most important game so far this year.

Fresh off a win over the league-leading Boston Celtics on the road, the Phoenix Suns are likely flying high. If we add in the rumored return of superstar Devin Booker later this week, things are looking excellent for Phoenix. However, with the last place Detroit Pistons between the Suns, a road-winning streak, and Booker, I smell a trap Phoenix must avoid as the big road trip continues.

Detroit would be easy for Phoenix to overlook

Winning seven of their last nine games overall and their previous two on the road, Phoenix should be feeling themselves a bit as a team. Beating the team with the best record, without our best player, the Suns seem back. Of course, there is no better way to lose that joyous feeling and put pressure right on Booker’s healing groin than losing to the team with the worst record in the NBA.

As woeful as the Suns have been on the road this season, 9-17, the Pistons have been even worse at home with a 7-19 record heading into the game, although Detroit beat Charlotte at home on Friday. If we consider Boston is coming into Detroit next during a mini homestand, the Pistons will think Phoenix is a game they can win.

The Suns need to do like they did against Boston and find a way to get a lead in the first half and make Detroit play catch-up. It is always easier to play from in front than from behind, especially as the season wears on.

Phoenix needs to feed the ball early and often to Deandre Ayton, as Detroit will play without a center for most of the night and has only one player bigger than 6’8″ in their regular rotation – Jalen Duren. If Ayton can establish himself in the paint early, it will open the floor for the three-point shooters, and the Suns will be in business.

It may seem like an easy game when you play a team with one of the worst records in the league. However, anyone that knows sports knows games like this are traps, and it is a trap the Suns would be wise to avoid as they look to get their season back on track.