Phoenix Suns has not yet waved the white flag on its very disappointing season.
But sinks quickly and sits six matches in .500 with only 16 games left, Suns could go closer to the inevitable if they would lose at home to Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
Phoenix has lost 14 of its last 19 matches when it participates in a very important competition with Kings, who lives in ninth place in the Western Conference.
Sacramento is one of the two teams that Suns need to fall at difficult times. Suns is located 2 1/2 behind the Dallas Mavericks for the last playground in the West and stands 3 1/2 matches behind Sacramento after Kings was routed 130-104 by the values Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening.
Phoenix enters a distance where six of seven matches are at home. Suns ended a 1-3 road trip with a loss of 111-104 to Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
“This road took a little out of us, but I think these guys, a few nights in their own bed, come back in our gym, we will be ready to go,” said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer.
Phoenix’s lonely victory during the trip was over Mavericks. Now they have their attractions in the other team nearby.
Post player Mason Plumlee feels like the team has clicked even if the results continue to reduce the team’s record. He felt that the squad was going well in losses at Memphis Grizzlies and rockets.
“I feel like the last three, four games that we have a good rhythm with a good group,” Plumlee said. “We play well. I know it didn’t result in a victory (Monday) in Memphis, but we have had moments with our group that looks really good, so I’m excited for the last stretch.”
Bradley Beal scored 25 points on 9-AV-14 shooting against the rockets. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant had 19 points per piece.
Sacramento has lost three straight matches and four of its last five.
The last two games were ugly because the kings were routed 133-104 by the visiting New York Knicks on Monday before the rash against Warriors.
Sliden has arrived at a time when the Star Center Domanta’s Sabonis has been on the side with a left hamstrings injury. He has missed six straight matches and sat against Warriors despite returning to training on Wednesday.
The kings have some turning room right now with Phoenix so far behind, but a loss for Suns would certainly sharpen things.
And the large defeat margin on the front of a road back-to-back does not leave a promising feeling.
“We will find out, we will not sit here and have excuses,” said Sacramento Interim coach Doug Christie after the loss to the Golden State. “This is a game in my opinion that we should have won.”
Demar Derozan scored 23 points on 8-of-13-shooting and had seven assists against the Golden State. Zach Lavine was the only second starter in two -digit 31 points.
Malik Monk (seven points on 3-AV-13 shooting) and Keegan Murray (six on 2-off-10) both had bad excursions for the kings.
Keon Ellis got 18 points from the bench for Sacramento.
Grayson Allen (foot) is hesitant for Suns and Nick Richards (ankle) is doubtful.
-Field level media
