Phx-Suns.Net

Nationally televised games this week

Monday: Boston @ Indiana 7:00 PM EST NBATv, Golden State @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: Cleveland @ Milwaukee 8:00 PM EST NBATv
Wednesday: L.A. Lakers @ Houston 8:00 PM EST NBATv, Memphis @ Golden State 10:30 PM EST NBATv
Thursday: Boston @ New York 8:00 PM EST TNT, San Antonio @ Utah 10:30 PM EST TNT
Friday: L.A. Clippers @ Houston 8:00PM EST ESPN, L.A. Lakers @ Golden State 10:30 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: None.
Sunday: None.

NBA News
* Will update when Monday morning news is published *

D.A. columns for the week.

Is Mario Hezonia back? His minutes were inconsistent to start the season, but last week he averaged 30 minutes, 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and a steal on very good shooting. Overall, he is having his best season. I'll keep my eye on him, because he theoretically does all the things I like a SF to do.

O_Gardino wrote:Is Mario Hezonia back? His minutes were inconsistent to start the season, but last week he averaged 30 minutes, 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and a steal on very good shooting. Overall, he is having his best season. I'll keep my eye on him, because he theoretically does all the things I like a SF to do.

His stroke looks good. Orlando started out the season great but then it went down the pooper fast. Also I think Gordon has been out, so they minutes available.

The bulls are on a 6 game win streak after losing 10 straight??

Danimal wrote:The bulls are on a 6 game win streak after losing 10 straight??

Mirotić for MVP! He forms a great 1-2 punch with Portis.

Hermen wrote:

Danimal wrote:The bulls are on a 6 game win streak after losing 10 straight??

Mirotić for MVP! He forms a great 1-2 punch with Portis.

3/10 low hanging fruit.

carey wrote:

Hermen wrote:

Danimal wrote:The bulls are on a 6 game win streak after losing 10 straight??

Mirotić for MVP! He forms a great 1-2 punch with Portis.

3/10 low hanging fruit.

Somebody had to say it...

Danimal wrote:The bulls are on a 6 game win streak after losing 10 straight??

Bulls are better than people projected them. Zach LaVine might be back next month, and I think they get even better with his scoring.

I hate to be the guys pointing this out, but LBall has put together 5 good shooting games in a row. Over his last 5, he is averaging 46% and 38% on 3s. Prior to this stretch, he only had 3 games shooting better than 45%. Not a 3 game stretch, but 3 total games all season.

I think he and the Lakers are figuring out how to use him. It's exactly what Shel (and others) said before the draft - he shouldn't shoot much off the dribble. Spot up, cut to the basket, let others create in the half court.

O_Gardino wrote:I hate to be the guys pointing this out, but LBall has put together 5 good shooting games in a row. Over his last 5, he is averaging 46% and 38% on 3s. Prior to this stretch, he only had 3 games shooting better than 45%. Not a 3 game stretch, but 3 total games all season.

I think he and the Lakers are figuring out how to use him. It's exactly what Shel (and others) said before the draft - he shouldn't shoot much off the dribble. Spot up, cut to the basket, let others create in the half court.

I may have traded him in fantasy at the wrong time...

I was just looking at Standings

MIA is 15 - 15 , PHI is 14 - 16 , NOP is 15 - 16 , UTA is 14 - 17. I mention these four teams as I figure they will hover around .500 and be battling for at least 8th spot in their respective conferences. the rest of the League Standings after them are as follows and looks like we might have alot more company for Lottery Picks than originally expected as I don't see any of this group below getting too close to .500.

Clippers 11 - 18
Nets 11 - 18
Hornets 11 - 19
Lakers 10 - 18
Magic 11 - 20
Suns 11 - 21
Kings 10 - 20
Bulls 9 - 20
Grizzlies 9 - 21
Mavericks 8 - 23
Hawks 7 - 23

'Bone was poking fun at the fact that we're winning when I do the Gameday threads which might hurt our Lottery chances . Joking aside, many of us are frustrated with the team but I think we might still be playing better than most of these other teams which might not be a good thing big picture

bajanguy008 wrote:I was just looking at Standings

MIA is 15 - 15 , PHI is 14 - 16 , NOP is 15 - 16 , UTA is 14 - 17. I mention these four teams as I figure they will hover around .500 and be battling for at least 8th spot in their respective conferences. the rest of the League Standings after them are as follows and looks like we might have alot more company for Lottery Picks than originally expected as I don't see any of this group below getting too close to .500.

Clippers 11 - 18
Nets 11 - 18
Hornets 11 - 19
Lakers 10 - 18
Magic 11 - 20
Suns 11 - 21
Kings 10 - 20
Bulls 9 - 20
Grizzlies 9 - 21
Mavericks 8 - 23
Hawks 7 - 23

'Bone was poking fun at the fact that we're winning when I do the Gameday threads which might hurt our Lottery chances . Joking aside, many of us are frustrated with the team but I think we might still be playing better than most of these other teams which might not be a good thing big picture

Hawks and Mavs are worse than us, but there isn't anyone on that list who is obviously better than us. Maybe the Clips and Grizz can move up if the get healthy. We're bad, but not doomsday bad like it seemed in the beginning of the season.

O_Gardino wrote:

bajanguy008 wrote:I was just looking at Standings

MIA is 15 - 15 , PHI is 14 - 16 , NOP is 15 - 16 , UTA is 14 - 17. I mention these four teams as I figure they will hover around .500 and be battling for at least 8th spot in their respective conferences. the rest of the League Standings after them are as follows and looks like we might have alot more company for Lottery Picks than originally expected as I don't see any of this group below getting too close to .500.

Clippers 11 - 18
Nets 11 - 18
Hornets 11 - 19
Lakers 10 - 18
Magic 11 - 20
Suns 11 - 21
Kings 10 - 20
Bulls 9 - 20
Grizzlies 9 - 21
Mavericks 8 - 23
Hawks 7 - 23

'Bone was poking fun at the fact that we're winning when I do the Gameday threads which might hurt our Lottery chances . Joking aside, many of us are frustrated with the team but I think we might still be playing better than most of these other teams which might not be a good thing big picture

Hawks and Mavs are worse than us, but there isn't anyone on that list who is obviously better than us. Maybe the Clips and Grizz can move up if the get healthy. We're bad, but not doomsday bad like it seemed in the beginning of the season.

I really thought that the Mavs with their roster and coaching staff would be better than the Suns eventually. It's really surprising how many bad teams there are this year.

In2ition wrote:

O_Gardino wrote:

bajanguy008 wrote:I was just looking at Standings

MIA is 15 - 15 , PHI is 14 - 16 , NOP is 15 - 16 , UTA is 14 - 17. I mention these four teams as I figure they will hover around .500 and be battling for at least 8th spot in their respective conferences. the rest of the League Standings after them are as follows and looks like we might have alot more company for Lottery Picks than originally expected as I don't see any of this group below getting too close to .500.

Clippers 11 - 18
Nets 11 - 18
Hornets 11 - 19
Lakers 10 - 18
Magic 11 - 20
Suns 11 - 21
Kings 10 - 20
Bulls 9 - 20
Grizzlies 9 - 21
Mavericks 8 - 23
Hawks 7 - 23

'Bone was poking fun at the fact that we're winning when I do the Gameday threads which might hurt our Lottery chances . Joking aside, many of us are frustrated with the team but I think we might still be playing better than most of these other teams which might not be a good thing big picture

Hawks and Mavs are worse than us, but there isn't anyone on that list who is obviously better than us. Maybe the Clips and Grizz can move up if the get healthy. We're bad, but not doomsday bad like it seemed in the beginning of the season.

I really thought that the Mavs with their roster and coaching staff would be better than the Suns eventually. It's really surprising how many bad teams there are this year.

Yeah, it is surprising. Mavs, Grizz, Magic, Hornets, Clippers could all be a tier above where they are.

As for the Mavs specifically, I think Dirk just can't move anymore. He's really hurting the team. Beyond that, Noel is not who they hoped for when they brought him in. So they really only have 2 genuine NBA players on the squad right now, plus DSJ.

Knicks beat Celtics on a night Porzingis scored 1 point on 0-11 shooting. Helped that Michael Beasley went for 32/11 on 13/20 from the field.

Split T wrote:Knicks beat Celtics on a night Porzingis scored 1 point on 0-11 shooting. Helped that Michael Beasley went for 32/11 on 13/20 from the field.

https://twitter.com/Al_Iannazzone/status/944059498888679424

https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2017/12/20/ ... g-celtics/

In nine December games, Irving has been torched on defense to the tune of a 115 defensive rating. His breakdowns on this end of the floor have been catastrophic to a Celtics team that has found themselves struggling to pull out victories for the first time since the season’s first two games.

Irving’s 116.9 defensive rating over the last five games ranks 350th in the NBA during that span, and it’s no wonder why he has been saddled with such a disappointing mark. In a 124-118 win over the Nuggets last Wednesday, Harris and Murray traded buckets all night while being guarded by Irving.

Leonard is back, and in typical Popovic fashion, he is in and out of the lineup with plenty of rest days and limited playing time.

In 4 games with Kawhi this season, the Spurs are 1-3. I'm sure he will improve, but right now the Spurs are taking losses to get him back in shape and back in rhythm.

Anybody else catch the Bulls / Bucks on NBA TV Players Only? It was a pretty fun game.

1. I do not miss Bledsoe at all, and I don't think the Bucks are going to love him long term. He gave away a few key possessions late in the game. Even the players covering the game were talking about how all the Bucks just stand around uninvolved in the offense.
2. The Bulls are fun to watch when they have a good night. They play the right way, with the floor spaced and everyone free to attack if they find an opening. If I was a superstar in the NBA, that is one team I would consider joining. They are already playing the right brand of basketball.

O_Gardino wrote:Anybody else catch the Bulls / Bucks on NBA TV Players Only? It was a pretty fun game.

1. I do not miss Bledsoe at all, and I don't think the Bucks are going to love him long term. He gave away a few key possessions late in the game. Even the players covering the game were talking about how all the Bucks just stand around uninvolved in the offense.
2. The Bulls are fun to watch when they have a good night. They play the right way, with the floor spaced and everyone free to attack if they find an opening. If I was a superstar in the NBA, that is one team I would consider joining. They are already playing the right brand of basketball.

I agree about not missing Bledsoe. We were bad with him, and we're still bad without him. I think our offense is not much worse now; we may in fact have better passing flow overall. I would love to see advanced stats on that, but I don't know how to get them.