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Suns host Pistons for final game before All-Star break: Preview and prediction

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns (32-22, 5th in Western Conference) host the Detroit Pistons (8-45, 15th in Eastern Conference) tonight in their final game before the All-Star break. This was also be former coach Monty Williams’ first time back in Phoenix since being fired last May.

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In the last meeting between these two teams on Nov. 5, the Suns snapped a three-game losing streak by going into Detroit and beating the Pistons 120-106 behind 41 points from Kevin Durant. The Suns never trailed in this previous contest.

The Suns enter tonight having won four of their last five, while the Pistons have lost two straight after winning back-to-back games for the first time all season. Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back tonight.

Despite losing Bradley Beal early to injury, the Suns overcame an 11-point first half deficit and outlasted the Sacramento Kings 130-125 last night. In a game where everyone that played contributed, Kevin Durant led the way with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pistons lost 125-111 in Los Angeles to the Lakers last night. James Wiseman had 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds off the bench in the loss, as the Lakers got off to an early big lead and didn’t look back.

Beal will be out tonight for the Suns after suffering this left hamstring injury.

Local Game Information

Start Time: 7:00 p.m. MST

Location: Footprint Center

TV Channel: 3TV/AZ Family

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM

Stream: Suns Live (click for more info)

Betting Odds

Line: PHX -13.5

O/U: 237.5

Injury Report

Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (left hamstring injury) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT

Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (left knee management) PROBABLE | Isaiah Stewart (left ankle sprain) OUT | Quentin Grimes (right knee sprain) OUT

Starters (Projected)

Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić

Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Simone Fontecchio, Jalen Duren

Five Keys to Game for Suns

  1. Don’t underestimate the opponent
  2. Keep foot on gas when getting big leads
  3. Team effort
  4. Defense leading to offense
  5. Low turnovers

Prediction

Suns 122 – Pistons 104

The Suns just can’t overthink tonight’s matchup and need to come in and put together a dominant showing against the worst team in the NBA to build momentum heading into the All-Star break. They should be able to recognize thiss, and even if they don’t, Detroit does not have the talent to keep up with Phoenix. If the Suns play together, this should be an easy win for them.

Last Meeting (Nov. 5, 2023)

Suns snap three-game losing streak with 120-106 win over Pistons

Team Matchup Notes

Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Pistons before their second matchup of the season (via Suns):

Each team’s stats (via Suns):

Preview: Injury report

Bradley Beal out for tonight’s game vs. Pistons with hamstring injury

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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