Game Preview: The Suns travel to Charlotte to play Hornets on second night of a back-to-back

Will Bradley Beal have consecutive good games coming off the bench?

Who: Phoenix Suns (16-18) @ Charlotte Hornets (7-27)

When: 5:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Spectrum Center — Charlotte, North Carolina

Watch: NBA TV, AZFamily, Suns Live

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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The Phoenix Suns are continuing their east coast swing and traveling to Charlotte to play the Hornets in the second game of a back-to-back. Last night, the Suns beat the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers 109-99. That win ended Phoenix’s four-game losing streak. That game also marked a new starting lineup, moving Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic to the bench.

After starting the season 9-2, the Suns went 6-16 the next 22 games, a dreadful .272 winning percentage. Does moving Beal and Nurkic to the bench and the victory against the 76ers change the direction of the team? Time will tell.

Tonight, the Suns play the lowly Hornets, who are on a 10-game losing streak and only one victory in their last 18 games played. Dare I say a winning streak, but with this team you never know.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Royce O’Neale — OUT (Ankle Sprain)

Hornets

• Seth Curry — PROBABLE (Right Knee Soreness)
• Tre Mann — OUT (Back)
• Grant Williams — OUT (Right ACL Tear)

Uniform Matchup

What to Watch For

Bradley Beal Coming off the Bench

In his first game coming off the bench since the 2015-16 season, Beal scored a team-high 25 points on efficient shooting and was a plus 14 in his 30 minutes. Let’s see what he can do on the second night of a back-to-back.

Overall Team Vibes

Early in the third quarter against the 76ers, the Suns went on a 10-0 run, turning a deficit into a three-point lead, 55-52. That run sparked the team, which remained for the rest of the game. The Suns looked like they were having fun in the second half.

Devin Booker

Despite a poor shooting night, 3-of-16 from the field overall, Booker had 10 assists and only committed three turnovers. Hopefully, he can have a better shooting night against the Hornets and maintain his high assist totals.

Ryan Dunn

The rookie seems to do well in the starting lineup. His offense picks up when he starts. He scored 13 and 15 points respectively in his last two starts to go along with his hustle and stellar defensive play.

Key to a Suns Win

Have fun playing basketball!

This team is at its best when they are having fun on the court. Duh, but it is so true for this team. They need the energy to play well. Let’s see if they can use the momentum from the 76ers win into the game tonight.

Bradley Beal is buying into the sixth-man role, at least through game one of the experiment. He played well in his first game. Let’s see what he does tonight. I think he will have another big scoring night.

KD and Book being KD and Book needs to occur as well. Book had an off night shooting. Hopefully, he can fix that tonight against the Hornets. KD was his usual self; his level of play at this stage of his career is amazing.

Prediction

Winning streak?!! This screams trap game to me but I think the Suns will pull this one out and win going away. Fingers crossed.

Suns 124, Hornets 110