Things to remember with the Suns playing well right now
When you have a sample that spans more than a season, hesitation is warranted when assessing a team. The latest iteration of the Phoenix Suns has consistently shown glimpses of what they are capable of, but it usually remains at that. So yes, it's a positive sign that the Suns are playing well and just beat the dominant Cleveland Cavaliers squad on Friday, but hopes should not get too high.
When the team started the year 8-1, everything looked luminous and upbeat. Since then, the team has gone 26-36. When the squad won 8-of-10 games in the second half of January, Phoenix had their worst month in seasons, winning just three games in February.
It is important to note that the team has had recent success when Collin Gillespie plays more and Bradley Beal is out of the lineup. The team's 3-0 when the Villanova alum starts, and they boast a strong record when Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are in without Beal.
While broadcaster Eddie Johnson said during the win on Friday that the Suns are playing their best ball of the season, consistency has been this team's kryptonite. With key contributors Grayson Allen, Mason Plumlee, and Beal all expected to return before the regular season ends, consistency will likely remain a question.
Mike Budenholzer has shown in his first season coaching the team that he will mix up lineups and rotations often, so expect some players to have a role change when the team is fully healthy again. Much has been made of his decisions to start and bench Ryan Dunn throughout the season.
With their toughest and last stretch of the season coming up, the team has about an even split of home and road games left, six at home and five on the road. Phoenix is actually a solid 22-13 at home, but a poor 12-24 outside of Arizona this season. The narrative can't change about the team's season with their last 11 games no matter the result of them, but they can put themselves in a spot to play games beyond the regular season and end the year on a high note with a lot of the season filled with gut-wrenching and mind-boggling defeats.
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