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What: Washington Wizards (19-32) @ Phoenix Suns (36-15)
When: Saturday 7:00 p.m. MST
Where: Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Bally Sports Arizona
Listen: 98.7 FM
The Phoenix Suns try to get right back to winning against the Washington Wizards. After a tired loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a day off should help grease their springs a bit, back into their jump-shots.
The Wizards, who just came of a close and clutch victory over the Golden State Warriors, are now on a two-game winning streak.
I am not paying any attention to opponents records from here on out the rest of the season. The Suns were handled by the Wizards in the last matchup and I am sure players remember and will try not to make it a 0-2 record vs the Wizards this season.
0-2 would not look great on Chris Paul’s MVP resume at the end of the year.
Projected Starting Lineup
Suns
- Chris Paul
- Devin Booker
- Mikal Bridges
- Jae Crowder
- Deandre Ayton
Wizards
- Russell Westbrook
- Bradley Beal
- Rui Hachimura
- Deni Avdija
- Alex Len
The Wizards Report
Beal and the Wizards visit Booker and the Suns tonight, with mirrored additions in the off-season for each team, but going in opposite directions.
It was not so long ago that the Suns were in running the same show in the Valley, with a young star and newly added veteran point guard to help turn the franchise around. 99% of all Suns fans were in favor of adding Chris Paul over the likes of Russell Westbrook and we were all thankful when it happened.
If you looked at the Wizards to start the season, things looked a little more promising with the addition of the #9 pick Deni Avdija and the Westbrook signing. At least you couldn’t get any worse.
But things are still grim in Washington with trade roomer surrounding Beal and Avdija needed time to trust himself more on the court, shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three.
There is young and hopeful promise on the team like 2nd year player Rui Hachimura improving and resigned Davis Bertans who is struggling to stay on the court this season. Beal needs to see a future with this team, just like Booker needed to with the Suns. Only, the Suns had to act fast and give Booker veterans that can play and not the promising players that have a couple more years to figure things out.
Booker is Beal in another dimension with the trade rumors and the wrong point guard added to the team.
Injuries
Daniel Gafford (out), Thomas Bryant (out)
The Suns Report
Even with a Suns loss against the Clippers Thursday night, the hype for this team continues. Who’s to blame is the first question Suns ask after losses on the season, but tired legs and a clutch performer in Paul George are the only things to blame in a convincing loss to the Clippers.
The Suns media narrative is still sexy for the Suns. Bill Simmons seemed to think so after praising the Suns on Friday’s The Ringer- The Bill Simmons podcast. Running through the rough history of the Suns on the podcast, he also pointed out a few good points including that the Suns can hold a lead in the last two-five minutes of a game.
What is fun about the Suns loss on Thursday is that you could tell by the fans reaction and the players, that if these two teams meet again in the playoffs, the fans and players are very confident on the fight in the team and and the great chance of moving on to the next round.
Injuries
Abdel Nader (out - knee)
Prediction
If Booker can stay efficient with his shots and not get take to the other side of the three point line, the Suns can get back to winning. Playing against Beal in the past, becomes a Booker vs Beal game. Now, it is the Suns vs Wizards.