After our truly dreadful start to the season, things are looking a touch better recently. We've improved to 4-4 at home, and won 4 of our last 6 games. Our defense has improved from 28th in the NBA to 24th (still bad, but not as bad) and our offensive efficiency has crept up from 14th to 11th. These increases are small, but it's had a real impact on the games: we've simply looked better, despite the injuries.
Speaking of injuries, this is our current injury report:In addition to Ball and Okafor both being listed as QUESTIONABLE, Derrick Favors (left lower back spasms), Josh Hart (Left Ankle Sprain), Darius Miller (Right Achilles Surgery) and Zion Williamson (Right Knee Scope) are OUT for tomorrow’s contest at PHX. Details: https://t.co/hK9fTVZk7c
— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) November 21, 2019
Simply put: expect everyone who played in last game to be here again, and Lonzo/Okafor may or may not be available.
Meanwhile, the Suns aren't untouched by injury either.Ricky Rubio is doubtful (back spasms) for tomorrow night's game and Aron Baynes is out (right hip flexor strain).
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) November 20, 2019
Rubio is a big swing factor here: the Suns are simply better when he's on court due to him taking lead-guard duties away from Devin Booker, who functions much better as a 2. If he plays, the game gets a lot harder, and if he sits, it gets a lot easier. Baynes being out is also huge: he's been averaging 15/6/3 this season, shooting 54% from the floor and 44% from three, while also setting great screens and playing hard-nosed defense. Him being out opens up a lot of things for us.
The biggest takeaways from this for me are simple: the Suns are without Ayton or Baynes, so we should attack the rim and throw up lobs/hit the roll-man all night long. They are absolutely devoid of size and rim protection right now. They're 28th in rebounding as it is, so we should aim to dominate on the glass. Jaxson Hayes and (if he's playing) Okafor should feast on that, and Jrue/Ingram should be making the drive their number one priority. Putting someone like Booker in the PnR is also a recipe for success, since he has no competent big to provide help, he can't defend Jrue, and any switch would put him at the mercy of a much bigger man he cannot defend.
Currently, the Suns are on a backslide; they've dropped 3 of their last 4, including 2 straight. Despite this, though, they are not a bad team this year. They're well coached and some of the roster changes they've made have paid off well. If we lose tonight, it's not the end of the world. But if we win, that would be fantastic: it would give us some momentum, taking a win from a good team, and begin to build up our currently terrible road record. Especially helpful is the fact that they're injured, which compensates a little for our own injury troubles. Let's go out there and get the win. #WBD