BREAKING NEWS: Suns work through typical turnover problems to defeat 76ers
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns clinched a 115-102 victory against the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, adhering closely to their standard playbook. However, despite their success, doubts persist regarding the team’s lackluster performance.
*Far* too many of these moments the last few games for the Suns, especially on Sunday
After a make, at a very moderate pace, the Suns again aren't matched up
The best shooter on the floor & one of the best in the league — in Hield — left wide open for an uncontested 3 pic.twitter.com/zOObPQzKoj
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) March 21, 2024
It continued.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) March 21, 2024
Wednesday’s game served as a preliminary test for the Suns, marking the beginning of a crucial four-game stretch aimed at capitalizing on favorable matchups before facing tougher opponents. The absence of key players like Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and De’Anthony Melton left the 76ers at a disadvantage, although All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey remained a formidable threat. The presence of experienced players such as Buddy Hield, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Nic Batum, along with the coaching prowess of Nick Nurse, added an element of challenge to the game.
Despite the victory, the Suns’ defensive and rebounding efforts fell short of expectations, leading to a less satisfying outcome than anticipated. Turnovers, in particular, proved costly, with 23 committed by Phoenix, resulting in 29 points for the 76ers. Overzealous passing contributed significantly to this issue.
Forward Kevin Durant acknowledged the team’s intentions to make the right plays but admitted they didn’t always materialize as planned. The Suns seemed out of sync throughout the game, a trend that persisted from their recent road trip.
However, Phoenix capitalized on offensive opportunities, especially in the second quarter, where their ball movement led to open shots and a comfortable lead. Devin Booker’s playmaking was instrumental in this regard, assisting on numerous three-pointers. Grayson Allen’s impressive performance, including tying the franchise record for three-pointers in a game, provided the offensive spark needed for victory.
Despite these highlights, much of the game felt like a laborious effort, characterized by persistent mental errors and lapses in execution. Instances such as failing to contain sharpshooters like Buddy Hield highlighted areas where improvement is necessary for the Suns to reach their full potential.
The 76ers narrowed the gap to nine points in the middle of the third quarter, taking advantage of Phoenix’s struggles, which threatened to lead to potential disaster in the final quarter. However, the Suns mounted a crucial 17-2 run, extending their lead to 24 points by the end of the third period.
At this point, Philadelphia started hitting three-pointers, capitalizing on Phoenix’s failure to defend against shooters as if the game was already won, displaying a concerning lack of urgency expected from a team in the final quarter. Despite the Sixers reducing the deficit to 11 with less than six minutes remaining, Phoenix managed to respond sufficiently to prevent any significant turn of events.
Devin Booker fell short of achieving his first regular-season triple-double by one rebound, recording 18 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists.
Bradley Beal had an off night offensively, especially after showing good form in the previous few games. However, his defensive effort in chasing down Maxey made a notable impact. Maxey managed to score six points on 3-of-13 shooting, while Beal’s contribution was limited to one made three-pointer out of six attempts, along with six rebounds, seven assists, and five turnovers.
“Beal was exceptional in defending Maxey,” remarked head coach Frank Vogel, acknowledging Beal’s pivotal role in guarding Maxey at the forefront of the action.