Ever since the NBA restart from coronavirus, every basketball fan was wondering which team might end up playing its best basketball of the season when the resumes. The answer appears to be the Phoenix Suns. However, the Suns with a record of 32 wins and 39 losses, are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot, despite having a perfect record of six wins and zero losses since their season restarted on July 31.
In that time the Suns offense has been prolific. The minimum number of points they have scored in a game has been 114. In this impressive stretch, they have defeated the Washington Wizards 125-112, the Dallas Mavericks 117-115, the Los Angeles Clippers 117-115, the Indiana Pacers 114-99, the Miami Heat 119-112, and the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-101.
The star of the Suns in this streak has been guard Devin Booker of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Booker has recorded 35 points in three of the Suns wins (in the victories over the Clippers, Heat and Thunder), and 182 points overall during the six games.
However unfortunately for Phoenix fans, a playoff spot may not be in the cards this year, despite the outstanding finish to their regular season. The Suns are 10th in the West, and play the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, and the Dallas Mavericks again on Thursday. Ironically heading into the restart, the Suns had the worst record among all 22 teams at 26 teams and 39 losses. A month ago, a Phoenix playoff spot seemed like a pipe dream. Now it is possible that it could be a reality.
At this time, the Suns just need to figure out a way to get into ninth place in order to play a one-game playoff with the eighth-place team in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are at 33 wins and 38 losses in eighth place. They are followed by the Portland Trail Blazers at 33 wins and 39 losses. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are tied with the Suns for 10th place at 31 wins and 38 losses.
Memphis plays Boston on Tuesday and Milwaukee on Thursday, in two very difficult games against Eastern Conference opponents. Portland plays Dallas on Tuesday and Brooklyn on Thursday, while San Antonio plays Houston on Tuesday and Utah on Thursday. The Suns have a chance, due to the fact the Grizzlies have a tough schedule. However, do not be surprised if the Celtics or Bucks rest their superstars, giving Memphis more of an opportunity to get in.
