We are LESS THAN ONE WEEK away from the start of the NBA season. We’ve got yet another preseason under our belts and it has been an interesting one to say the least. While it’s true in some aspects that preseason doesn’t matter and only really matters once the ball is tossed on the season’s opening day. However some teams discover a lot about themselves, some make a lot of observations about what they NEED moving forward AND MOST teams will discover a lot about their opposition. Vital information as we look to transition into the regular season!
But with preseason done and dusted and the first tip off of the season approaching on Tuesday 18th October when the Celtics take on the 76ers at the TD Garden in Boston, it’s time to take a look at some specifics. Specifically the Phoenix Suns and their final preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. Today we’ll be looking at a few things that the Suns can take away from that game as they look to prepare for their opening weekend game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Suns found themselves on the losing end against the Kings, being edged out 105-104. Source: AZ Central
So what can the Suns take away from their final preseason game as they kick off this upcoming season with a win? Firstly, it’s a big thing that’s absolutely worth mentioning, the Suns rested quite a few players and had a few out injured, the players rested wereBooker, Paul, Ayton and Bridges and the injured players were Johnson, Payne, Shamt and Saric. Without those players the suns still held their own, only losing out by a single point! A performance the players involved can genuinely be proud of and sets them off on the right foot for the upcoming season!
Speaking of players out injured. Another thing to mention is that we received injury updates on those players missing with estimated returns. Saric has been out dealing with a personal matter relating to his family, but is expected to return for the game against the Mavs. Unfortunately for Payne, Johnson and Shamet it’s not 100% certain when they will return, but Coach Williams still hopes he can have them back in the squad for the opener.
The Suns modelling their new 22-23 gear as they prepare for the new season. Source: Suns
Next, there’s Jock Landale who has had plenty of minutes filling that center role in preseason, but he has looked quite good, averaging double figures through the 3 preseason games. A major improvement on the 4.9 points he averaged in his rookie season over in San Antonio. He put up 17 points while keeping up relatively well defensively considering he had 31 and a half minutes game time against the Kings. If he can work on his accuracy from the 3, playing him at the 4 may prove to be very useful for the Suns this season.
The last thing to mention sort of ties in with the first two things, the injuries and the players rested. Because of this the Suns were able to play Adonis Arms and Saben Lee join the team, while Arms didn’t play, Lee racked up 14 minutes putting up 9 points in front of a hometown crowd. While they may not see many opportunities like this in the future, being able to give the lads this sort of experience will have meant the world to them and will hopefully spur them on to bigger and better things!
It’s about that time again to take a look at what the experts are thinking for the upcoming season and where better to start than with the Suns? With home court advantage, how will that play into their hands as they take on the Mavericks at the Footprint Center? Well, the experts have them as favourites going into this one, at 1/2 you’ll find yourself netting $7.50 from a $5 stake. If you think they’ll get off to a slow start and that the Mavs will take it, you’re looking at 17/10, which is a $13.50 return from the same stake.
But what about the Suns final preseason opponents, the Kings? They host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden 1 Center, given their storming 4-0 record in preseason, what are the experts saying about them? Well, somewhat unsurprisingly, they’re 4/5 favourites, returning $9 from a $5 stake, for the Trail Blazers to potentially cause the upset, you’re looking at 21/20 odds, that’ll see you get $10.25 from the same stake!
But what about looking a bit further forward? Who do the experts think will take it all home this season? Checking out a bunch of different Arizona Sports Betting Sites at odds for the Suns to take home the gold, you’re looking at 10/1, they sit 6th favourite to take it all! That would return $55 from a $5 stake, for reference this seasons favourites are the Golden State Warriors at 6/1 which returns $35 from $5. However, somewhat interestingly, if you think that the Kings can build on their 4-0 preseason record and somehow storm on to gold, they’re 500/1 right now! That would be a monstrous $2,505 return from $5.
I think that just about covers it? SO, Suns fans. After a mixed bag in preseason going 1-2, how are we feeling? Do we think the Suns have done enough in the off season? Even though they haven’t gone 3-0, have they got enough done in preseason to properly prepare for this upcoming season? Is there anything you would have liked to have seen done by the team? Get in touch and let us know!
One thing is for sure, we are only a few days away from what is shaping up to be an electric season for all teams involved. The real question now is, who takes home the trophy at the end of the season? Do the Suns have what it takes to make it to the final again like they did in the 20-21 season? After a relatively dry spell of 10 seasons between 10-11 and 19-20 without playoff basketball, they have done well to get back to a position where they can challenge again! Until next time, take care, sports fans!
