Angry Phoenix Suns out to change fortunes against surging Philadelphia 76ers
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Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal falling into the scorers table during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Footprint Center on Dec 27, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES – With seven losses in their last eight National Basketball Association games, the Phoenix Suns do not have much to smile about these days.
The Suns take the court in search of a much-needed victory on Jan 6 (Jan 7, Singapore time) when they continue their three-game road trip with a clash against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Not only are Phoenix 1-7 in their last eight games, the problems in the desert run deeper. The Suns are 3-10 since Dec 7 and just 7-17 since a sparkling 8-1 season start.
Perhaps the most concerning element is that the Suns have stayed relatively healthy during the team’s rough stretch. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have all been on the court in recent weeks, but positive results have not materialised for the trio.
“We’re definitely pissed off. We’re not happy about it. It’s a good thing, though. You don’t (see) guys smiling and happy... after four (straight) losses,” Beal said.
Phoenix dropped a 126-108 decision to the Indiana Pacers on Jan 4, when Durant and Booker combined for 45 points, 16 assists and 15 rebounds. Beal struggled to the tune of eight points on three-of-12 shooting.
The game was tied at half-time before the Suns allowed 70 second-half points. The Pacers had an easy time moving the ball against the Phoenix defence, as Indiana finished with 35 assists and only six turnovers.
“The vibes are low, man. We just have to keep fighting. It’s a blessing to even be in this position, but our output is super ugly right now,” Booker said.
“We continue to build. Hopefully later in the season, these moments right here are out (of) the way, got past them, but right now, we’re in the thick of it.”
Booker hopes the team can get untracked at Wells Fargo Centre against the Sixers, who have started to resurrect their season. Philadelphia opened 3-14 amid a rash of injuries, before surging with 11 wins in their last 16 games.
The Sixers are coming off a 4-2 road trip that ended on Jan 4 with a 123-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Joel Embiid posted 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in 18 points and seven assists.
The Sixers shot 51.2 per cent from the floor and knocked down 15 three-pointers to bounce back from an ugly 139-105 defeat by the Golden State Warriors on Jan 2.
“I thought we responded. We made some baskets of our own and weathered that quick start by them. (We) just got our defence settled in,” said the Sixers’ Paul George, who finished with 17 points and six assists.
George enters with at least three three-pointers in three straight games. That is a good sign for the veteran forward, while a positive sign for Embiid is that he has attempted double-digit free throws in four straight contests. Maxey has 12 consecutive games with multiple threes.
“The injuries just haven’t been on our side, but I think we’re gelling. We’re starting to enjoy each other out on the floor. The stuff off the court is starting to trickle on the court, and that’s a great sign,” George said.
Phoenix won the first meeting between the teams this season, posting a 118-116 home win on Nov 4, as Durant made the decisive bucket with 24 seconds left at Footprint Centre. REUTERS
