PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are on the second night of a back-to-back without two key players against the Denver Nuggets, and are down 71-54 at halftime.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker leads the way with 13 points and four assists on 4-of-7 shooting and four turnovers. The Suns have nine turnovers overall.
Dillon Brooks trails Booker with 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting. Phoenix generally kept it close until Nikola Jokic’s end-of-half stint pushed Denver’s lead further.
Jokic, despite taking and making just one shot, has been the most impactful player on the floor, posting four points, seven rebounds, 11 assists and three steals.
As Phoenix enters the halftime locker rooms, let’s break down the keys to coming back in this one.
Devin Booker’s calculated aggression
Booker shot just 10 shots against the Clippers on Friday because of the amount of attention he draws from opposing defenders.
He’s experience the same type of blitzes against Denver, but is making more calculate decisions despite the four turnovers. If Phoenix wants a more potent offense, Booker needs to continue looking for his own shot while relying on his teammates when he defers.
Suns must play off Jokic
As referenced above, Jokic has only attempted one shot, but he’s carving up the Suns’ defense.
Without Mark Williams, Phoenix is at a disadvantage matching up against the three-time MVP, but while they are keying in on Jokic, Suns defenders must remember he’s just as lethal a passer as he is a scorer.
Denver is doing a great job of moving off ball and playing off of Jokic as a hub. More physical and aware off-ball defense is sure to muck up the Nuggets’ offense in the second half.
Suns injury report: Phoenix loses key center against Nuggets
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