The Suns return to Phoenix after a four-game road trip.
Who: Orlando Magic (8-6) vs Phoenix Suns (9-5)
When: 6:00 PM Arizona Time
Where: The Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns are cold right now. They’ve lost three in a row and suffered a heart-crushing defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday 120-117 after Julius Randle hit a three at the buzzer.
JULIUS RANDLE ENDS IT
ICE. COLD. #TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/bn1S9g4ILD
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2024
It was a tough loss for the Suns, considering how well they played throughout the game, leading for the majority of it despite being down both Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. If there’s one silver lining from the game for the Suns, however, it’s that Devin Booker found his rhythm after a few rough shooting games. The face of the franchise had 44 points on 29 shots, sinking six threes and dishing out seven assists in the process. There shouldn’t have been any worry about his play in the first place, but his elite performance should silence all the doubters he’s had early on.
Coming into the contest, Orlando is scorching hot. They’ve won five straight contests, most recently beating Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. In the absence of their young star Paolo Banchero, who’s been out since October 30th, the Magic have gone 5-4. Forward Franz Wagner is leading the way for Orlando, averaging 22.2 points per game to go with 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
While the Suns are the favorites to win the game, according to Yahoo Sportsbook!, they are playing a confident opponent that’s playing their best ball of the year.
Starting Lineups
Injury Report
Suns:
Kevin Durant — OUT (Calf)
Bradley Beal — OUT (Calf)
Collin Gillespie — OUT (Ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic — OUT (Ankle)
Magic:
Paolo Banchero — OUT (Abdomen)
Wendell Carter, Jr. — DOUBTFUL (Foot)
Uniform Matchup
There it is! For the first time this season, the Suns are wearing their city jerseys. The uniforms pay respect to the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 All-Star game held in Phoenix. To go along with the jerseys, there will be a special court.
What to Watch For
The Suns’ lineups with main players out.
Mike Budenholzer started two centers yesterday, if he does it again, it will be a sign that the Valley is trying to switch up the look often and find some advantages with Beal and Durant out.
Look closely to see Grayson Allen’s productivity. He had 18 points yesterday with four threes. If he has a big game, he can alleviate some of the tough defense Devin Booker will likely be facing from Jalen Suggs and the Magic’s stellar perimeter defenders.
Keys to a Suns Win
Do the Suns have an answer for the Magic’s dominant defense?
Orlando is second in defensive rating this season. While the Magic have a strong defense, they aren’t an elite offense. A team bottom five in offensive rating, and without Banchero, the young squad lacks consistent scoring outside of Franz Wagner. For a team missing two of their most dynamic and prominent scorers, if the Valley is able to generate enough offense, they can pull out the win.
Prediction
Losing at the buzzer is gut-wrenching, but as Devin Booker knows, it’s what the NBA is about, and there’s been more painful losses.
“It’s part of it. We’ve seen crazier situations before.”
Devin Booker on Julius Randle winner over Josh Okogie at horn in Suns loss to T-Wolves.
On season-high 44-piece: “Little bit of everything. Just taking what the defense gives you. Just trying to exploit the matchup. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9WKKGtu0JR
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 18, 2024
The Valley has been a mature squad this season that hasn’t let the last game impact their next one. I like the Suns in a bounce back spot here.
Suns 113, Magic 106