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Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns Are Separating Themselves from the Rest of the League

The Phoenix Suns are currently 11-6 after winning seven straight games. Their last win came on Sunday against the New York Knicks, 116-113. Devin Booker hit the game winning three to give Phoenix the win.

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What has separated the Suns from the rest of the league during this win streak?

The Depth

One of the big questions about the Suns coming into this season was, is there enough depth behind the big three? This has been tested in a big way as Devin Booker was in and out of the lineup to start the season with a variety of injuries. Bradley Beal has only played in three games so far this season as he had dealt with back issues. None of those games were during this win streak. Kevin Durant has missed the last two game with foot soreness.

Eric Gordon has stepped up in a major way over the last seven games in the absence of Beal and Durant. Gordon has averaged 16.7 points per game, shot 50% from the floor, and 46% from behind the three point line.

Grayson Allen has played in six of those seven games and has also stepped up in a big way. In those six games Allen scored 11.5 points per game, shot 53% from the floor and 45% from three.

The role players have stepped up in many ways, Jusuf Nurkic had double digit rebounds in four of the seven wins. The defense from players like Keita Bates-Diop and Jordan Goodwin has also been huge.

The question of whether of not the Suns have enough depth is being answered with a resounding, YES! There is still a lot of basketball that has yet to be played but things are looking up for Phoenix as the role players are playing very well around their stars.

The Best Duo In The NBA

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have both been outstanding during this win streak. Kevin Durant played in the first five games of the streak. He averaged 34.2 points, 7.2 assists, and seven rebounds per game. He did this as he shot 60% from the floor and 68% from three point range.

It is very hard for opposing teams to slow a team down when a star is shooting the ball at this level. The big issue for teams that are going against the Suns is that it’s not just Durant. That guy named Devin Booker is pretty good too.

Booker has averaged 33.4 points and 8.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the floor and 38% from three during the win streak. This led to him being named western conference player of the week.

They Are On Fire!

The Phoenix Suns have really excelled during this win streak on the offensive end. They have averaged 124.7 points per game which would rank them second in points per game in the NBA.

The Suns have shot the ball with tremendous efficiency during the win streak as well. Phoenix has shot 51.4% from the floor and 43.9% from three point range. This would put the Suns at the top of the league in each category. What happens when the hot shooting stops?

The Concern

Phoenix has given up 114.8 points per game during this streak. This would be 21st in the NBA. Now, in fairness to the Suns, one of those games went to double overtime. They gave up 137 points to the Utah Jazz in that game.

On the flip side they also played against one of the worst offensive teams in the league during this streak. Phoenix only gave up 89 points to the Memphis Grizzlies, who are 29th in point scored per game.

This has to be a concern for the Suns going forward as shooting will go up and down throughout the season. Especially for a team that depends on the mid-range jumper as much as Phoenix does.

This win streak is showing what the Suns are capable of when everything is clicking but it’s also showing that there are still areas that need to be improved. The biggest being on the defensive end for those nights when shots aren’t falling.

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