The Phoenix Suns have recently picked up steam and are 33-22, good for fifth place in the Western Conference, ahead of their return to action from the All-Star break tomorrow night against the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s go time,” Suns standout guard Devin Booker said following the All-standout Game on Sunday. “It’s time to compete at the highest level while maintaining good health.” I just want to peak at the appropriate time. You want to play good basketball and keep getting better before the playoffs.”
Phoenix has jumped around from the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference to the No. 9-10 place for the most of the season. Since their Christmas Day loss to Dallas, which coach Frank Vogel described as when the club began to figure things out, the Suns have gone 19-7 to secure the fifth spot.
The top four teams in the West (Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets) have remained relatively steady throughout the season, but the Suns could make a late push to get there given how they have been performing recently.
If the season ended today, Phoenix would face the defending champion Nuggets in the first round. The Suns are a full three games back of Denver.
Strength of schedule
Even though the Suns have been clicking, they will face a stiff challenge the rest of the way. According to Tankathon, the Suns have by far the most difficult remaining schedule in the NBA for their final 27 games. The Suns currently have a 15-15 record versus teams. 500 or better thus far, with 19 games remaining against teams currently at this level.
All of the teams ahead of the Suns have significantly easier strength of schedules, with Minnesota ranked No. 20, the Thunder 24th, the Clippers eighth, and the Nuggets 23rd.
The Suns’ last ten games of the season are listed below, along with the current records and standings of their opponents. Phoenix will play almost all of the top playoff teams before the playoffs begin.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71527089/1244095347.0.jpg)
Regardless, the Suns approach each game the same.
“We don’t necessarily talk about the strength of the schedule,” Suns star Kevin Durant remarked after the All-Star Game. “We respect every team and strive to focus on ourselves as much as possible each night. It’s all about developing our routines, improving what we’ve previously established, and moving forward. I believe playing against some of the clubs that will be there at the conclusion of the season will be a good test before we go to the playoffs.”