Phoenix Suns Must Overcome Adversity
To say that’s been a rough couple weeks for the Phoenix Suns would be an understatement and it doesn’t get any easier from here. Currently on a six-game losing streak and a game out of the final playoff spot, the Suns have seven of their next eight games on the road.
During their losing streak, the Suns have found several different ways to lose.
In their first loss of the streak in Houston, Phoenix ended up digging themselves in a big hole with a 60-41 halftime deficit, before making a second half comeback only to lose by five points.
Dec 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning shot in overtime against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns in overtime with a final score of 121-120. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The defeat to the Clippers was probably the roughest of the Suns six straight losses.
Phoenix blew a four-point lead in overtime with 43.6 seconds left. Clippers superstar power forward Blake Griffin, who had 45 points, made the game-winning three-pointer. His shot hit the backboard before falling in for the game-winner. Phoenix ended up wasting a great effort from Eric Bledsoe, who had 27 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds.
In a six-point loss to the Miami Heat at home, the Suns had 22 turnovers, which included seven from Bledsoe, compared to only 11 turnovers by the Heat. Phoenix also allowed Chris Bosh to have a season high of 34 points.
The following game was a devastating 105-103 loss to a Detroit Pistons, a team that came into the game with a 13-game losing streak. The Pistons had their highest point total of the season on offense.
Just like the Houston game, the Suns, on the road at the Oklahoma City Thunder, faced a huge 70-48 halftime deficit thanks to pathetic defense in the first 24 minutes. It didn’t get any better in the second half for the road team.
Dec 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning shot as time expired against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
At home against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns couldn’t protect a five-point lead going into the 4th quarter, and ended up losing 96-94. With under a minute left, Phoenix couldn’t get a stop, allowing three consecutive field goals to finish the game, which included a crazy game-winning three pointer by Khris Middleton.
The terrible shooting of Gerald Green didn’t help matters as the guard shot 3-of-18 from the field, including 2-of-15 from three-point range. Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek failed to take Green out of the game when it was clear he was having an off night. Green finished up the night playing 40 minutes.
To add insult to injury, the Suns couldn’t win even after Jabari Parker, the Bucks star rookie, had to leave the game with what turned out to be a torn ACL.
Over their next eight games, the Suns travel to face the Charlotte Bobcats, New York Knicks and Washington Wizards. They then return home to face the Dallas Mavericks, and finish up the 2014 calendar on the road against the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
If the Suns are going to right the ship, they are going to have to do it almost completely away from US Airways Center.