Monday: Phoenix @ Dallas 8:30 PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: L.A. Clippers @ Brooklyn 7:30 PM EST TNT, Boston @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Indiana @ Milwauke 7:00 PM EST ESPN, Phoenix @ New Orleans 9:30 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Golden State @ Dallas 7:30 PM ESTTNT, Denver @ L.A. Lakers 10:00 PM EST TNT
Friday: Toronto @ Brooklyn 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Boston @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Denver @ Sacramento 5:00 PM EST NBATv, Golden State @ Dallas 8:30 PM EST ABC
Sunday: Boston @ Phoenix 2:00 PM EST NBATv
NBA News
Golden State Warriors rookie James Wiseman out with sprained left wrist - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/308 ... left-wrist
Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball gets first career start vs. Miami Heat - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/308 ... miami-heat
Lonzo Ball trade rumors: 5 best fits - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lonz ... rall-pick/
James Harden Strip Club Habit Derailed 2012 Finals according to Perkins - https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/kendrick ... ba-finals/
Power Rankings Roundup
NBA Power Rankings: 76ers challenge Jazz for top spot; Lakers drop out of top three; Mavericks take steep fall - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... teep-fall/
NBA Power Rankings: Can the LA Clippers stay atop the Western Conference? - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/308 ... conference#10 - Suns
The Suns went 2-1 this week without the services of Devin Booker, and Chris Paul took it upon himself to pick up the scoring slack. The veteran averaged 24.7 points and seven assists this week, while Jae Crowder added 15.7 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting. Phoenix also made up for the lack of offensive explosiveness by playing suffocating defense, something it has consistently done all season.
Power Rankings, Week 7: Clippers jump Lakers for No. 1 spot; Nuggets enter Top 5 - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2020-21-week-7#10 - Suns
After falling in their first two games without Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a left hamstring injury, Phoenix bounced back with wins over Golden State and Dallas to finish off the week. The Suns' win on Saturday over the Mavericks featured a vintage Chris Paul performance. Paul registered 29 points and 12 assists and did most of his damage in the fourth quarter. He had 16 points and five assists in the final stanza alone; it was only the third time in Paul's career he has had at least 15 points and five assists in a fourth quarter, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The last time was Nov. 12, 2008, against the Lakers. -- Lopez
NBA Power Rankings: Quarter-season grades and a new No. 1 - https://theathletic.com/2343763/2021/02 ... -new-no-1/#10 - Suns
After having five straight games determined in clutch time and seeing two last-minute shots for the lead (one, two) rim in and out against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, the Suns finally got their first comfortable win of January. In what was their best defensive game of the season (93 points allowed on 103 possessions), they put the Warriors away with a big, bench-fueled run midway through the fourth quarter. They got back to nail biting on Saturday, but beat the Mavs with a 9-0 featuring three straight Chris Paul pick-and-rolls that resulted in a Paul jumper (he got to his spot), a lob to Deandre Ayton, and a Jae Crowder 3-pointer.
Paul’s 3-point percentage (30%) is his lowest mark since his rookie season. His effective field goal percentage (48.9%) and true shooting percentage (54.9%) are both his lowest marks since his second season. But he remains strong from mid-range (50% between the restricted area and the 3-point line) and his two highest scoring games of the season (32 and 29 points) have come in the last five days.
The Suns scored less than a point per possession in each of their first two games sans Devin Booker, but are now 2-2 without the leading scorer, who’s listed as questionable for the second game in Dallas on Monday. Cameron Payne and Dario Saric remain out.
#8 - Suns
Two weeks ago, I would’ve assumed the Phoenix Suns would be getting an A at the quarter mark. Even without Devin Booker and Chris Paul playing at the level we expect them to perform, the Suns were grading high above expectations. All of the role players were succeeding, and the balance/depth of this team was on full display. However, a couple of misfortunes and a little injury to Booker brought them down to earth a bit. It’s not a bad thing, but it took away the momentum we saw from Phoenix to start the season. We just have to hope they don’t slide like they did last season, but CP3 should help keep the focus sharp enough to avoid it.