Center of the Sun: Suns Go 2-1 for the Week!

Two overtime wins in a row! What a way to start off the week... but the loss to the Lakers at the end really takes the shine off those two wins.

Game Recaps

vs Portland Trail Blazers - W (118-115) Full Recap

@ New Orleans Pelicans - W (112-111) Full Recap

@ Los Angeles Lakers - L (119-108) Full Recap

The Suns are 2-5 two weeks into the new season. Not as good of a start as most fans would want but so far it pretty much falls into line with the preseason expectations. On the plus side, Devin Booker seems to have shaken off his injury issues and is playing more like we all hoped he would scoring 38 and 39 points respectively in the last two games.

Key Stat

47-9

This is the difference in scoring between the Lakers and Suns benches. For the season, the Suns bench has done much better averaging 30.4 ppg vs a 33.9 ppg average for opposing teams (including last night's game) so the 47-9 disparity in the Lakers game looks more like an anomaly instead of a major concern. But if it continues, it makes a good case for giving the rookies more minutes off the bench.

Quote of the Week

"We can't keep saying 'schedule' or 'age'. At some point, we just have to do what we're supposed to do and the wins will come. You have to be consistent and continue to be positive, and it will fall in place." - Brandon Knight (speaking on the Suns 0-4 start)

Rookie Watch

Marquese Chriss - 13.1 MPG, 5.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Dragan Bender - DNP - Coaches Decision

Tyler Ulis - DNP - Coaches Decision

All stats courtesy of Real GM.

News & Notes

Devin Booker jumps into NBA's Top 50 players at #46 according to ESPN. Eric Bledsoe at #43.

Could TJ Warren be in the running for the Most Improved Player award this year?

Derrick Jones Jr assigned to the NAZ.

Former Sun Archie Goodwin to sign with New Orleans.

Earl Watson wants Suns players to refrain from engaging with competitors on social media.

The NAZ training camp roster is set.

Bright Side Night still is coming! Help send some deserving kids to their first Suns game against the Pelicans on December 11th.

This Week in Suns History

On November 10, 1990, the Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 173-143. The 316 total points scored is tied for 6th in the top 10 highest scoring regular season games in NBA history. The Suns also jumped out to a 107-67 halftime lead and won without hitting a single three point shot during the game. Cedric Ceballos led the Suns in scoring with 32 points. Four other Suns players (Tom Chambers, Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle and Kenny Battle) also scored 20+ points. As a team the Suns almost had as many assists (50) as rebounds (53) in the game.

Wild & Crazy Trade Rumors

Here is one that I found in the past week. It is suppled simply for the sake of entertainment, not news. I find these wild rumors humorous. I hope you do too.

Sixers/Wizards/Suns trade??? The Inquisitr

This on has the Suns sending Brandon Knight to the Wizards who would also get Jahil Okafor from the Sixers while the Sixers would get John Wall and the Suns would get two 1st round draft picks from the Sixers in return for Knight. Does anyone honestly believe that the Wizards would essentially trade Wall for Knight and Okafor?

Previewing the Week Ahead

Tuesday, November 8th @ Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)

Wednesday, November 9th vs Detroit Pistons (4-2)

Saturday, November 12th vs Brooklyn Nets (2-4)

Sunday, November 13th @ Golden State Warriors (4-2)

This week starts off in Portland with a rematch with the Trail Blazers. I expect another good game but I'm giving the edge to Portland in this one.

Next the Suns return home the face the Detroit Pistons on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. The Pistons are off to a 4-2 start and will have the night off before this game so even though they are playing on the road I'm giving the win to them in this matchup.

The Suns get a couple of nights off before the Brooklyn Nets come to Phoenix. This is a winnable game for the Suns and I expect them to do just that.

Finally the Suns travel to Golden State for a rematch with the Warriors. The first time these two teams played, it was a close game with the Warriors getting the win in Phoenix. With the Suns playing them on the 2nd night of another back-to-back, I have to give the nod to the Warriors at home.

My best guess is that the Suns will go 1-3 this week.

How do you think the Suns will fare?