Noah Eagle and Grant Hill break down the balanced effort shown by the Phoenix Suns against the Sacramento Kings and where they stand in the Western Conference in the final stretch of the regular season.
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All right, Grant, appreciate that.
All right, Grant, appreciate that.
Devin Booker with a nice return, finishes with 17 points, four rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes of action.
Devin Booker with a nice return, finishes with 17 points, four rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes of action.
Leads his team to a 114-103 win on the road.
Leads his team to a 114-103 win on the road.
They are just one win away from tying their entire total from all of last season.
They are just one win away from tying their entire total from all of last season.
A- and this was really a balanced effort again from the Phoenix Suns.
A- and this was really a balanced effort again from the Phoenix Suns.
So much credit to Jor Nott and his staff, and, and certainly a Sacramento team that’s still looking to find what their identity is moving forward.
So much credit to Jor Nott and his staff, and, and certainly a Sacramento team that’s still looking to find what their identity is moving forward.
But for Phoenix, as Jor Nott said to us pre-game, it’s all about just taking care of your business one game at a time the rest of the way, and trying to focus on getting yourself out of the play-in.
But for Phoenix, as Jor Nott said to us pre-game, it’s all about just taking care of your business one game at a time the rest of the way, and trying to focus on getting yourself out of the play-in.
Well, everybody on the team took care of business.
Well, everybody on the team took care of business.
Everybody contributed, as you said, very balanced.
Everybody contributed, as you said, very balanced.
they came out really, it After the halftime, that third quarter really punched Sacramento in the mouth.
they came out really, it After the halftime, that third quarter really punched Sacramento in the mouth.
They got steals, got out in transition, and hit a high volume of three-pointers in that quarter.
They got steals, got out in transition, and hit a high volume of three-pointers in that quarter.
And so they had a real sense of purpose, played with a mission there, a- and really that was the difference in the game, that third quarter into the fourth.
And so they had a real sense of purpose, played with a mission there, a- and really that was the difference in the game, that third quarter into the fourth.
So they continue their strong play, and looking like they’re getting healthier with each day, which was a big question mark for this Phoenix team.
So they continue their strong play, and looking like they’re getting healthier with each day, which was a big question mark for this Phoenix team.
That stands right there in that seven spot, 35 and 26, two games back of the Lakers, keeping pace as LA continue to move up themselves.
That stands right there in that seven spot, 35 and 26, two games back of the Lakers, keeping pace as LA continue to move up themselves.
They’re only half a game back of fifth place Denver, who’s only one game back of both Houston and Minnesota.
They’re only half a game back of fifth place Denver, who’s only one game back of both Houston and Minnesota.
Devin Booker just said it, three through seven really in the Western Conference right now is completely bunched up.
Devin Booker just said it, three through seven really in the Western Conference right now is completely bunched up.
And then you’ve got the eight/nine battle, eight, nine, ten really with Golden State, the Clippers, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
And then you’ve got the eight/nine battle, eight, nine, ten really with Golden State, the Clippers, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
So as you look towards the playoffs, a- and you’ve got to play on a, a wide array of teams, on teams that were championship contenders, on teams that were kinda building back into a new identity.
So as you look towards the playoffs, a- and you’ve got to play on a, a wide array of teams, on teams that were championship contenders, on teams that were kinda building back into a new identity.
When you think about what he said, this being a first year team, so to speak, how do you use this stretch run if you’re Devin Booker, Jalen Green, eventually Dillon Brooks as he comes back into the fold, and Jor Nott, and try to make sure that you put yourself in position to be ready for that postseason run?
When you think about what he said, this being a first year team, so to speak, how do you use this stretch run if you’re Devin Booker, Jalen Green, eventually Dillon Brooks as he comes back into the fold, and Jor Nott, and try to make sure that you put yourself in position to be ready for that postseason run?
Well, w- the experience.
Well, w- the experience.
I mean, Devin Booker has been in an NBA finals.
I mean, Devin Booker has been in an NBA finals.
He’s been in the playoff wars and battles, and he’s been in this position where you, you are jockeying for a playoff position.
He’s been in the playoff wars and battles, and he’s been in this position where you, you are jockeying for a playoff position.
So to have him back, first of all, on the floor is so important.
So to have him back, first of all, on the floor is so important.
But to have his wisdom and to be able to share that and set the example and set the tone for his teammates, so vitally important.
But to have his wisdom and to be able to share that and set the example and set the tone for his teammates, so vitally important.
It’s one thing to be out, what have you, but now him coming back, he looked a little rusty.
It’s one thing to be out, what have you, but now him coming back, he looked a little rusty.
Sure.
Sure.
His shooting percentage wasn’t great, but he moved well, and that will come.
His shooting percentage wasn’t great, but he moved well, and that will come.
But just being that steadying influence, that calming presence in the locker room, but also setting the tone with his effort and his energy, so vitally important to the Suns.
But just being that steadying influence, that calming presence in the locker room, but also setting the tone with his effort and his energy, so vitally important to the Suns.
And like you said, the playoff picture, it could go either I mean, they could move up in the standings.
And like you said, the playoff picture, it could go either I mean, they could move up in the standings.
They’re not far behind right now.
They’re not far behind right now.
So an interesting time.
So an interesting time.
Not high expectations, but this team has, you know, inserted themself into the conversation- Yeah and gaining confidence throughout the season.
Not high expectations, but this team has, you know, inserted themself into the conversation- Yeah and gaining confidence throughout the season.
Continuing to go on the rise, looking to hit their stride at the biggest moment and find that rhythm when it matters the most heading into the postseason.
Continuing to go on the rise, looking to hit their stride at the biggest moment and find that rhythm when it matters the most heading into the postseason.