MY ACCOUNT
On paper, a contest between the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets is a mouthwatering prospect.
However, the Nets are still missing star player Kevin Durant and while their form is on the floor as a result of that and other recent injury issues, the Suns are on fire, pardon the pun, and the assumption heading into Tuesday’s clash is that Monty Williams’ team should ease to yet another win.
Phoenix beat the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday to record their 10th win in a row. They have only been beaten once in 14 games in 2022, and sit on a record of 40-9 to comfortably lead the Western Conference.
The Nets, meanwhile, are down in sixth place in the Eastern Conference on 29-20 having lost four in a row following their 110-106 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Durant remains out with a knee injury, while James Harden has also missed recent games as a result of a hamstring problem and a hand strain, though he could be back for this encounter.
LaMarcus Aldridge will also be absent after leaving the arena on crutches after Saturday’s game with an apparent ankle sprain.
Kyrie Irving will be able to play with the game being on the road, and looks to be rediscovering some form after missing so much basketball in the first few months of the season, hitting 32 points against the Warriors, with seven rebounds and seven assists.
For the Suns, Jae Crowder could be in line for a return after a wrist injury that has kept him out of their last four games, while Deandre Ayton, who has missed seven games, will likely be a late call following an ankle issue.
With stronger form and a deeper roster heading into Tuesday’s game, Phoenix will certainly be the favourites at Footprint Center, but the visitors will be determined to arrest their recent slide.
Not Wordle, just our number of wins
PIVOTAL PERFORMERS
Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker
The Suns main point-getter, Booker is the only man to have broken 1,000 points for Phoenix this season (1,056) at an average of 25.1 points per game, the 13th best record in the league.
Booker enjoyed himself when the Suns beat the Nets in November, hitting 30 points and making four out of six three-point attempts.
Brooklyn Nets – Patty Mills
While a lot of the attention will undoubtedly be on Irving, Mills must continue to step up in the absence of Durant and with Harden struggling to find form and fitness.
Steve Nash’s Mr. Consistent has played the most games of anyone for Brooklyn this season (48) and is the only Net to have hit three figures for three-pointers made (158). His 24 points against the Warriors on Saturday was his highest score since he managed 34 on Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Lakers, so it appears he could be returning to form.
KEY BATTLE – Can Brooklyn keep pace?
This encounter sees two of the top five teams for average points per game go head-to-head, so in theory, it should be an exciting high-scoring affair.
You might assume that the Nets’ average of 111.9 points per game – the fifth-best in the league – is heavily influenced by the absent Durant, but they have actually bettered that average in four of the last six games he has missed.
Phoenix will be confident of living up to their third-best average in the league of 112.9 having also been outperforming that average in recent games, having scored 113 or more in six of their last eight outings.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall, the record between the Suns and the Nets could barely be closer, with the Suns edging their 93 regular-season meetings 47-46. However, the Nets have enjoyed more success in recent years, prevailing in 10 of the last 13 meetings, although Phoenix did win 113-107 in Brooklyn earlier this season.
