Game Day: Wizards (10-27) @ Suns (23-15), Sun 1/11/25

[pickle]

Love to see it

[pickle]

SUNS BY 22

So close!

[The Bobster]

The Suns are the hottest team in the league and are now #6 in the West, passing the Rockets, and are only 1 game behind the Lakers, 2 games behind the Timberwolves, and 2.5 behind the Nuggets.

[Superbone]

[ShelC]

Another good win. Credit to the Wizards for playing hard and attacking throughout the night. They're young and just couldn't keep up after the 1st half but they were killing us with points in the paint. Our defense was leaky on the perimeter in the 1st qtr and we couldn't seem to contain dribble penetration. The subs got back to building leads for us so the starters had a nice cushion in the 2nd which helped push the lead to 15 at halftime and the Wizards were never a threat after that. No one played more than 30 minutes, Book played 26 and our main guys rested the 4th.

Royce broke out and led us with his 3pt shooting. I thought Dunn and Oso both played really well and were great on both sides of the ball. Their athleticism really stands out. Allen's shooting carried over to this game, Goodwin only 1-9 but had 6 boards, 4 assists, a steal and a block. Williams with 11 and 7 plus 3 big blocks in only 22 minutes. Full team win, handled our business before a big road trip.

[bajanguy008]

Eight players.....
For one quarter that's quite impressive



Know Jalen's return will start back the Point Book discussion but he's really in a nice groove with his reads and even Collin going back to the 2nd unit just makes us more dangerous. The "true pg" is more necessary for that group against the elite teams

He does struggle some against the longer guards and is in a little mini funk which could just be burnout more mentally than anything. He will figure things out though

[ShelC]

I think CG has hit the wall plus teams are prepared for him. He's already played almost twice as many minutes as the previous two seasons combined and even tho he's 26 this is sort of a rookie season for him. Going back to the bench should help catch his breath and lighten the load but I'm sure we'll still find ways to have him out there in the 4th when we need a steady hand and someone to run plays for Book and/or Green.

Ott's done a good job staggering and mixing up lineups, it'll be tough to find minutes for everyone tho with Green back. Kind of a good problem to have.

[ShelC]

Postgame Quotes and Videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[JJ Slim]

Goodwin only 1-9 but had 6 boards, 4 assists, a steal and a block.

I could have sworn Goodwin had like 4 or 5 steals mostly on inbound passes after we made a basket or after they made a defensive rebound.

[ShelC]

I think he got shortchanged on some stats. He wasn't credited with a block either but had one under the basket.

[Superbone]

I think he got shortchanged on some stats. He wasn't credited with a block either but had one under the basket.

Right. Eddie was making fun of it because it was below the rim.

[pickle]

I think he got shortchanged on some stats. He wasn't credited with a block either but had one under the basket.

Yeah that one was so weird. Wonder how the play was interpreted officially.

[JJ Slim]

I was going to mention last night that Ott emptied the bench for the whole 4th quarter...except Richards. Even NHD got some burn. This isn't the first time that everyone else played except him. I think he is either in Ott's doghouse or on the trade block. Or both.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

I was going to mention last night that Ott emptied the bench for the whole 4th quarter...except Richards. Even NHD got some burn. This isn't the first time that everyone else played except him. I think he is either in Ott's doghouse or on the trade block. Or both.

The game Williams was ejected, Nick quickly took off his warm ups, knowing he was next man up. So I would venture it’s not about doghouses. Khaman is in front of him on the development chart, so any spare minutes available goes to him, and it’s hard to play them together just for the sake of making room for both, because it would hurt the real game experience for the rookie.

I would also consider that some players or their agents ask to not be considered on garbage time because it’s hurts their averages, specially on contract years. I watch him closely because his situation as insurance is key but also obviously isn’t easy, but he mostly looks "ok" with it, hopefully thanks to a masterful communication from the coaching staff. He quickly stands up to greet their teammates on the bench and celebrates the collective success.

NHD looks to me like the most expendable player on the roster right now, with Flemming developing well and Livers outplaying him.