I rewatched this ending several times. This game will go down as a sterling Ant performance that resulted in a close loss, but in fact he was instrumental in the Suns' comeback.
50.8 second mark, 113-105, allows Royce to get offensive rebound putback.
49.3 second mark, 113-107, inbounds the ball that Colin intercepts that leads to a Goodwin 3, where he makes no effort to block out whatsoever but no rebound needed as the shot swished through.
21.3 second mark, 113-110, allows Goodwin to get all the way to the basket for a layup with a half-assed contest.
12.7 second mark, 113-112, misses 2 free throws.
8.1 second mark, 113-112, was the closest help defender to Colin when he made the game winning shot, but he ran past and didn't even put a hand up.
4.5 second mark, 113-114, drives halfway up the backcourt and drops the ball off to Randle.
Wild game that kind of showed off the best and worst of both teams. We started off well moving the ball and knocking down shots and the Wolves were flat but that got flipped in the 2nd half when the Wolves defense got us out of rhythm. We couldn't get clean looks, turned the ball over and couldn't do much about Ant once he got going. This game also showed the inconsistency and lack of composure from the Wolves which might end up being their identity. They look great for a stretch and are celebrating everything, then just lose it and hang their heads.
This was our best win of the season, so far. We battled thru the Wolves physicality and the run they went on and played thru the refs and their bullshit. The refs were really bad, which will get overlooked because we got the win but they made some bad calls throughout the game. Book's 6th foul on Gobert boxout was a joke. The Wolves getting the TO on the loose ball late was a joke, as was the way the Wolves celebrated it. But all those things showed the difference between the teams. We kept playing, the Wolves couldn't keep their composure when things started going our way.
Awful game from Book, just didn't have it. Maybe some physical and mental fatigue the way he was just throwing the ball away. As bad as he played, he was still just -2. In fact, none of our starters were in the positive and Williams was -15 while everyone off the bench was a +. I don't know the numbers but it feels like the bench has been outplaying the starting group of late, which is really helping us keep and build leads. We may have the best bench unit in the league. CG's play is why you need a legit PG on the team. An experienced ballhandler who makes plays for himself and others and can settle a team down when needed. Goodwin is a dog and true spark off the bench. Oso and Richards gave us good minutes inside, too. Our depth was the difference in the game and will only get better with Green and Allen back.
The turnovers were a problem and need to be addressed for sure. Too many dumb passes and guys like Brooks and Royce are liabilities bringing the ball up. It's fine if they get the ball over halfcourt and get it to Book or CG but lately I think they're trying to do too much and it's ends up a TO or bad shot. Generally I thought we got into trouble when guys played outside themselves, which was no doubt part of the Wolves' gameplan. And with Book being so off, they kind of had to try and make plays but I'd still rather see the ball in Book or CG's hands and let him make plays for others rather than Royce, Goodwin, Dunn try and make plays for themselves.
Even with all that, we toughed out a great win against a very good team. Complete opposite of what we've seen the past 2 years with guys really playing for each other and not quitting when things weren't going our way. This was a character win for the group.
Awful game from Book, just didn't have it. Maybe some physical and mental fatigue the way he was just throwing the ball away. As bad as he played, he was still just -2. In fact, none of our starters were in the positive and Williams was -15 while everyone off the bench was a +. I don't know the numbers but it feels like the bench has been outplaying the starting group of late, which is really helping us keep and build leads. We may have the best bench unit in the league. CG's play is why you need a legit PG on the team. An experienced ballhandler who makes plays for himself and others and can settle a team down when needed. Goodwin is a dog and true spark off the bench. Oso and Richards gave us good minutes inside, too. Our depth was the difference in the game and will only get better with Green and Allen back.
...
Even with all that, we toughed out a great win against a very good team. Complete opposite of what we've seen the past 2 years with guys really playing for each other and not quitting when things weren't going our way. This was a character win for the group.
The thing I keep coming back to this season is PG play / offensive initiation. There are a lot of reasons for our strong start, and guys like Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks deserve substantial credit. But I think Gillespie is the primary reason we are winning. Having a steady PG who can lead your offense and also hit some big 3s and shots is just an absolute game-changer. Look at how he was able to carry us to a win despite Booker being off, and later being fouled out. He also made some great defensive plays like knocking the ball away from Ant for a key steal late in the 4th.
IMO we just absolutely have to lock this guy in with a multi-year contract. Do it now before his price becomes too high.
The best thing that happened in this game was Booker fouling out. We would not have won if that had not happened.
I'll tell you what; Booker was on a parlay bet tonight for sure, BUT......
I still would have the game winning shot/PASS(he could have converted half those hard misses into better set-ups for more assists on bad shooting nights) in his hands at the end of the game.
This team is starting to remind me of the first CP3 year where it seemed like even if the team got down they would find a way to eek out the win. You always knew they were never out of it. That team had chemistry too. I'm not saying this team is as good as that team but I see no reason not to stick with what we got and let them continue to grow together. Who knows what could happen next year or the year after.
The best thing that happened in this game was Booker fouling out. We would not have won if that had not happened.
Yeah I was actually relieved when he fouled out. He had a terrible game and they targeted him and let it get into his head. But in his defense he has been on a heater lately. I can forgive one bad game.
This team is starting to remind me of the first CP3 year where it seemed like even if the team got down they would find a way to eek out the win. You always knew they were never out of it. That team had chemistry too. I'm not saying this team is as good as that team but I see no reason not to stick with what we got and let them continue to grow together. Who knows what could happen next year or the year after.
Funny, you're not alone.... Theres been a lot of surprise intangibles this season. Ott's coaching, Dillon Brooks grit, CG's amazing growth, Williams and our frontcourt rotation and the VIBES. I love seeing the whole team flooding the postgame interviews supporting each other. So cool and so happy it's all clicking.
