The Phoenix Suns (27-29) are set to take on the Toronto Raptors (17-39) this Sunday in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. on Arizona's Family (Ch. 3 TV). With the Suns coming off a hard-fought 121-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, they'll be looking to build momentum as they continue their grueling five-game road trip.
Suns Looking to Maintain Momentum After Breaking Losing Streak
The Suns finally put an end to their four-game losing skid with an impressive win over the Bulls. That victory was significant, not just for the standings but also for team morale. They now find themselves in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, sitting at 11th place. The Raptors, meanwhile, have struggled mightily, losing six of their last seven and sitting at 13th in the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix will be led by its star trio: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Beal, who had been sidelined since January 6, made a much-anticipated return to the starting lineup against Chicago, instantly giving the Suns an offensive boost. On the other side, the Raptors will rely on their core of RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley to try and disrupt Phoenix’s game plan.
A Tale of Quarter-by-Quarter Runs
The Suns' win over Chicago was a rollercoaster, and if that game was any indication, expect plenty of momentum shifts against Toronto. Phoenix showed their resilience, particularly in the third quarter, where Devin Booker led a crucial 21-5 run to cut a once-massive 19-point deficit to just three. Booker, who finished with 23 points, caught fire during that stretch, scoring 11 points. However, Toronto answered right back with a 10-2 run of their own, keeping the Suns at bay heading into the fourth quarter.
A standout moment in the third came when Tyus Jones made a key defensive play, intercepting a Scottie Barnes pass and setting up a fast break for Grayson Allen, who finished with an electrifying two-handed dunk. Plays like this will be crucial for Phoenix as they look to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in weeks.
Second-Quarter Struggles
Despite an eventual win, the Suns had to overcome a poor second quarter against Chicago. Bradley Beal was the only bright spot, scoring 13 of his game-high 18 points during the period. Unfortunately, the rest of the team struggled mightily. Devin Booker, who had started strong with a 5-of-7 shooting performance in the first quarter, went completely cold, missing all four of his attempts in the second. Kevin Durant added 10 points in the half, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Suns from trailing 67-52 at halftime.
Toronto took full advantage of Phoenix’s cold shooting stretch, particularly from beyond the arc. The Raptors went 10-of-18 from three in the first half, while the Suns hit just 2-of-13. The Raptors also dominated in transition, outscoring Phoenix 12-2 on fast breaks in the second quarter alone.
A Promising Start, but Suns Fell Behind Early
The game against Chicago started on a competitive note, with Devin Booker leading all Suns scorers in the first quarter with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. However, Toronto managed to keep them in check, closing the opening period with a 29-25 lead.
Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett provided the offensive spark for the Raptors, scoring nine and eight points, respectively. The first quarter saw several lead changes, with neither team pulling away significantly. The Suns' largest lead was two points, while the Raptors’ biggest lead was six. A late three-pointer by Bol Bol momentarily put the Suns ahead, but Jamal Shead immediately answered with a three of his own to put Toronto back on top. The Suns' struggles from deep were apparent early, as they hit just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc compared to the Raptors’ 5-of-11.
Key Players & Starting Lineups
For Sunday’s game, the Suns will roll out a starting five featuring Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the backcourt, Royce O’Neale at small forward, Kevin Durant at power forward, and Nick Richards at center.
The Raptors will counter with Immanuel Quickley at point guard, Gradey Dick at shooting guard, RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes at the forward spots, and Orlando Robinson at center.
Injury Updates: Who's In and Who's Out?
The Suns are nearing full strength but will still be missing Cody Martin, who remains out with a sports hernia. Martin, who was acquired from Charlotte at the trade deadline, has yet to make his debut for Phoenix. Additionally, backup guard Monte Morris is listed as questionable with lower-back soreness.
The Raptors are also dealing with some key injuries. Brandon Ingram, one of their recent trade acquisitions, is still out with an ankle injury and hasn’t played since December 7. PJ Tucker is out for personal reasons, Jakob Poeltl is questionable with a hip injury, and Ulrich Chomche remains sidelined with a knee issue.
What to Expect in This Matchup
The Suns will be aiming to carry their momentum from Saturday’s win into this matchup, but playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road is always challenging. Expect Phoenix to lean heavily on their star trio, with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant carrying the scoring load, while Bradley Beal continues to work his way back into rhythm.
For the Raptors, their key to success will be maintaining their efficiency from beyond the arc. If Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes can replicate their three-point shooting from the Chicago game, Toronto could keep things interesting.
A win for Phoenix would not only move them closer to playoff contention but also give them some much-needed confidence heading into the final game of their road trip. Meanwhile, the Raptors, though lottery-bound, would love to play spoiler and get back in the win column.
One thing's for sure—expect an intense battle with plenty of highlights when these two teams hit the court on Sunday!
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