The NBA is tough night in and night out. Which teams will give the Phoenix Suns the toughest time this upcoming season? This is part two of this series. Read part one here.
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Mar 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) goes up for a layup against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Last season the Suns split their season series with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings scored 122 points per game against Phoenix last season. If the Kings had that same production throughout the season, they would have the top offense in the NBA.
The Suns had no answer for Domantas Sabonis as he averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists against them. Sabonis was also very efficient in those match-ups, shooting 63.8% from the floor. The Kings center plays very well off of his all-star point guard, De’Aaron Fox.
Fox averaged 20.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 4 games against the Suns last season. This included a 35 point outburst, where Fox shot 54% from the floor and 57% from three point range. Sabonis and Fox are constantly putting the defense in tough positions with their pick and rolls and dribble hand-off actions. How will the Suns deal with that?
It will be very interesting to see if Suns head coach, Frank Vogel, has the answer to slow down the Kings offense.
Golden State Warriors
Jan 10, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Last season the Suns won their season series against the Warriors, 3-1. The Suns were able to score at will in those games, as they averaged 125 points against Golden State. So, what makes the Warriors one of the tougher match-ups this year for the Suns?
Steph Curry is the answer to the question. Curry averaged 29.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 4 games versus the Suns last season. This includes a brilliant 50 point performance where Curry shot 60% from the floor and 63% from three.
The Davidson legend is capable of having one of those games on any given night. Curry will also have another player to help put him in the best position to score. The Warriors added Chris Paul. Paul is known as “The Point God” because of his ability to orchestrate an offense to perfection. Imagine what he will be able to do surrounded by two of the best shooters of all-time in Curry and Klay Thompson.
We will not have to wait long to see this match-up as these teams face-off on opening night.
