Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Royce O’Neale (00) against the Dallas Mavericks in the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns (3-1) travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (2-2) tonight on Halloween at the brand-new Intuit Dome.
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These two teams met at Intuit Dome in the season opener eight days ago, as the Suns defeated L.A. 116-113 in overtime, coming back from down as much as 10 in the fourth quarter.
This will be the second night of a back to back for Los Angeles after it fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 106-105 yesterday. The Suns are riding a two-game win streak after beating the Los Angeles Lakers 109-105 on Monday.
Here are five keys to the matchup for Phoenix:
1. Maintain momentum
Can the Suns maintain the consistency of the last two games tonight? It will be a very encouraging sign if they are able to do so, especially with how tough Los Angeles’ switching defense is to match up with.
Last year, Phoenix would put together a stretch of one or two good games, but rarely maintain it over a long period of time.
The biggest positives the Suns have going for them right now that can carry over are strong bench and supporting cast play, playing with pace, keeping the lead when up or coming back when down, getting up 3-pointers and not turning the ball over as much.
2. Get Jusuf Nurkic going
Nurkić has not had the start to the season he would have hoped for, as he is playing a little bit different of a role this season. Last year, Nurkić facilitated the beginning of most of Phoenix’s actions, but now with a point guard in Tyus Jones, Nurkić seems to be trying to figure out how to contribute still this season.
Nurkić has unfortunately stuck out like a sore thumb on the floor, as Phoenix’s starting lineup has a net rating (point differential per 100 possessions) of -43.6. The big man also has a minus-36 plus/minus through the first four games, the worst on the team by minus-23.
After Nurkić’s two-point, 1-of-6 shooting, three-turnover and minus-22 outing against the Lakers Monday, the Suns said they are keeping confidence in the 10-year veteran to find his game.
He will have a tough test against Ivica Zubac tonight, as Zubac is 10th among centers averaging 18.5 points per game and is leading the league with 13.5 rebounds per game. Nurkić takes a lot of pride in rebounding, so this is one area he can try to make his presence felt against the league-leader.
3. Ball movement
The Clippers allow the fewest opponent assists per game in the NBA (20.8), so Phoenix will have to find a way to move the ball consistently without turning it over. The Suns had 22 team turnovers in their season opener against L.A., but have improved a ton in this area over the past two games (23 combined).
The Suns’ sets and style of play have looked much crisper recently than their first two games, so we will see if it carries over tonight or if the Clippers are able to disrupt them.
4. Don’t allow anyone outside James Harden to get consistent looks
James Harden has attempted 19.0 shots per game so far this season, but is only shooting 35.5% from the field. It is inevitable he will get his shots off being the primary ball handler without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup.
Outside of Zubac in the first meeting, the Suns played great defense on the rest of L.A.’s starters, and they will have to do so again tonight. Norman Powell is the main player to watch in this area, as he is averaging a team-high 26.0 points per game this season, including scoring 30-plus points twice in the Clippers’ last three games.
5. Strong starts from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant
Booker is coming off a season-high 33 points, while Durant has three-straight 30-point games. In the first game against the Clippers, both players got rolling in the fourth quarter and overtime and fueled Phoenix’s comeback, but uncharacteristically did not put up a lot of shots through the first three quarters. Booker only had six points on six shot attempts during the first three periods, while Durant had 11 points on seven shot attempts through three quarters.
These two have, especially Durant, have been on a role since, so expect them to come out much more aggressive than they were in the opener.
Local Game Information
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. MST
Location: Intuit Dome
TV Channel: AZ Family/3TV
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream: Suns Live (click for more info)
Line: PHX -4.5
O/U: 220.5
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