The Phoenix Suns have been capable of finish their three-game dropping streak on Thursday night time following their 116-113 win in opposition to Orlando.
The Suns survived a late second-half run by the Magic that noticed Orlando rally from 12 factors down. Nevertheless, a clutch block from Suns wing Josh Okogie on Magic rookie ahead Paolo Banchero’s game-tying 3-point try thwarted Orlando’s hopes of forcing additional time. It additionally had Suns coach Monty Williams relieved that the Suns have been capable of escape with a win after a tricky stretch of video games.
Following the sport, Williams spoke about how essential the win was for his staff:
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“Within the fourth, our offense sort of received away from us a bit, however we have been capable of make sufficient performs,” Williams stated.
Williams added that the staff might want to take a break day to loosen up after the annoying end:
“It’s been an emotional week for the fellows, with journey, enjoying in some shut video games, like all week. You would simply really feel it on the fellows. I feel they want a day to simply fill their cup a bit bit, so we will get again to enjoying stable, and having the ability to keep that offensive and defensive manufacturing,” Williams stated.
Phoenix had 5 gamers end with 15-plus factors on Thursday, led by star capturing guard Devin Booker. Booker completed with 19, 5 rebounds and two assists on 41.2% capturing.
In the meantime, the Magic, had 5 gamers end with 16-plus factors. Orlando was led by level guard Markelle Fultz, who completed with a game-high 25 factors, seven rebounds, 9 assists and two steals on 64.7% capturing.
With the win, Phoenix (38-32) stays in sole possession of the fourth seed within the Western Convention. Orlando (28-42, thirteenth within the East) has misplaced two straight video games and 5 of its final six.
What’s subsequent for the Phoenix Suns?
Fortunately for the Phoenix Suns, they’ll have two days off earlier than their subsequent sport on Sunday in opposition to OKC (34-36, tenth within the West).
The Suns have solely 12 video games left this season. Solely 5 of these video games will probably be in opposition to groups above .500, which bodes properly for the Suns’ possibilities of clinching a top-four playoff seed.
Phoenix is just one sport forward of the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. (37-33). The Suns are additionally solely three video games forward of the seventh-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. (35-35). If the Suns end seventh, they are going to be in a play-in sport, so each sport will probably be extra essential sooner or later.
Additionally learn: Kendrick Perkins believes Suns are nonetheless not over Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating them: “Residing rent-free of their heads”