The Phoenix Suns have been in a position to finish their three-game shedding streak on Thursday night time following their 116-113 win in opposition to Orlando.
The Suns survived a late second-half run by the Magic that noticed Orlando rally from 12 factors down. Nonetheless, a clutch block from Suns wing Josh Okogie on Magic rookie ahead Paolo Banchero’s game-tying 3-point try thwarted Orlando’s hopes of forcing additional time. It additionally had Suns coach Monty Williams relieved that the Suns have been in a position to escape with a win after a tricky stretch of video games.
Following the sport, Williams spoke about how vital the win was for his workforce:
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“Within the fourth, our offense type of obtained away from us a bit, however we have been in a position to make sufficient performs,” Williams stated.
Williams added that the workforce might want to take a time without work to chill out after the nerve-racking end:
“It’s been an emotional week for the blokes, with journey, enjoying in some shut video games, like all week. You might simply really feel it on the blokes. I believe they want a day to simply fill their cup somewhat bit, so we will get again to enjoying strong, and with the ability to preserve that offensive and defensive manufacturing,” Williams stated.
Phoenix had 5 gamers end with 15-plus factors on Thursday, led by star taking pictures guard Devin Booker. Booker completed with 19, 5 rebounds and two assists on 41.2% taking pictures.
In the meantime, the Magic, had 5 gamers end with 16-plus factors. Orlando was led by level guard Markelle Fultz, who completed with a game-high 25 factors, seven rebounds, 9 assists and two steals on 64.7% taking pictures.
With the win, Phoenix (38-32) stays in sole possession of the fourth seed within the Western Convention. Orlando (28-42, thirteenth within the East) has misplaced two straight video games and 5 of its final six.
What’s subsequent for the Phoenix Suns?
Fortunately for the Phoenix Suns, they’ll have two days off earlier than their subsequent sport on Sunday in opposition to OKC (34-36, tenth within the West).
The Suns have solely 12 video games left this season. Solely 5 of these video games can be in opposition to groups above .500, which bodes properly for the Suns’ possibilities of clinching a top-four playoff seed.
Phoenix is just one sport forward of the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. (37-33). The Suns are additionally solely three video games forward of the seventh-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. (35-35). If the Suns end seventh, they are going to be in a play-in sport, so each sport can be extra vital sooner or later.
Additionally learn: Kendrick Perkins believes Suns are nonetheless not over Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating them: “Residing rent-free of their heads”
