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What: Phoenix Suns host LA Clippers
When: 7:30 PM AZ time today
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles
TV: FoxSports Arizona
Radio: 98.7 FM or 620 AM
The Suns visit the Clippers tonight for their first back-to-back of the season, as they try to avoid starting 0-4.
The team played well in their last outing, losing to the Golden State Warriors by just 6 points. Golden State was held to just 27.6% shooting from beyond the arc, and the Suns came away with a +7 margin on the boards. Both are encouraging signs for a team that struggled to defend and rebound last season.
Despite the team’s woes last season, we actually split the season series with the Clippers. Part of that was a result of fortunate scheduling (Bledsoe was healthy for the first 2 games, and the last was garbage time rest for the Clippers), but we’ll take it!
The Clippers are rolling to start the season, with double-digit wins over West playoff contenders the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers. As usual, their 2 key players will be Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, both of whom have started the season hot.
Its early, but the Suns could really use this win. If its going to happen, the team is going to need a better performance out of Devin Booker. Booker has struggled so far with his shooting stroke, but is apparently dealing with turf toe. If the team can put him into more catch and shoot positions while he recovers, it’ll be to our advantage. Another relative advantage area should come from the bench. The Clippers remain one of the shallowest teams in the league, and the Suns have a definitive advantage in reserve talent.
No major injuries yet for the Suns. Only P.J. Tucker is limited as he continues to recover from his back surgery late in the summer. For the Clippers, Paul Pierce remains out after with an ankle injury, Brice Johnson remains out with a herniated disc, and DeAndre Jordan is questionable with a sprained right thumb.