Preseason preview No. 2: Phoenix Suns take on New Zealand SKYCITY Breakers

What: Phoenix Suns host New Zealand SKYCITY Breakers, Preseason Game #2

When: Wednesday, Oct. 3

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Radio: 98.7 FM

The Phoenix Suns become the first NBA team to face a team from New Zealand, the SKYCITY Breakers, who are 15-13 in their season. The Breakers are one of five NBL teams to participate in the NBLxNBA series.

Check out their game preview here

Out/injured

Suns: Devin Booker (hand, 2-4 weeks), possibly Isaiah Canaan (thumb) who missed Monday’s game

Breakers: None reported yet

Suns

We’ll likely see Isaiah Canaan and De’Anthony Melton running most of the point guard minutes after taking Monday off, in a rotation Igor Kokoskov hopes will yield a winner for opening night. The only wrinkle might be Canaan’s thumb, the reason he was inactive on Monday.

After his epic debut on Monday night, with a 24/9/3 line against the Kings, we should watch out for the chance that Deandre Ayton will lay down a dud against the Brea— just kidding. I can’t imagine Ayton struggling against the New Zealanders, though he might play shorter minutes.

It’s probable we’ll see more of Richaun Holmes (who only played 9 minutes on Monday), given that old man Tyson Chandler and potentially Ayton might be on short minutes.

Don’t expect to see much of Ryan Anderson or Trevor Ariza either, given this is just the second game of preseason and “they have nothing to prove,” according to Igor.

I’m hoping we’ll get more of Mikal Bridges (who only played 14 minutes on Monday) and Davon Reed (4 minutes) on Wednesday night as well.

Breakers

The Breakers have had four days to acclimate to our time zone before game time. Per their website:

This will be the Breakers final pre-season test before their regular season opener at Spark Arena on October 11th, and Breakers Head Coach Kevin Braswell is looking forward to the challenge of playing the best players in the world.

The Breakers roster is full of players who have NBA experience, led by Shawn Long who averaged 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers just two seasons ago. Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie, Armani Moore and Patrick Richard have all participated in NBA Summer League or NBA Training Camps.

Here’s highlights from a recent preseason game.

Prediction

Big props to the Breakers for getting all the way over here and competing against the Suns!

My prediction is that they will enjoy the game and it doesn’t even matter who wins.