On Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns tied the franchise record for most consecutive wins with 17 of them, this most recent one being extra special as it came against the second hottest team in the league in the Golden State Warriors. The last time they won 17 straight was in the 2006-2007 season, and we’ll find out as soon as Thursday if they can officially break the record. We’ll start with the bad first, as Devin Booker exited in the middle of the second quarter with a hamstring injury, finishing with 10 points, two rebounds and one dime in 15 minutes, but he was seen on the Phoenix bench relentlessly cheering on his team despite suffering an injury mid-game. He’s had some hammy issues in the past but he’s bounced back rather nicely, and basically everyone gets a small boost if he misses time, with Chris Paul being the next man up and go-to guy. CP3 tallied a 4×5 line to the tune of 15 points (7-of-13 FGs), six rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, one 3-pointer and two turnovers in 39 minutes, and he just has not seemed to age and will remain in the first-round status that he held before this gem. Deandre Ayton feasted and was hustling up and down the court like nobody’s business, going for a team-high 24 points (11-of-19 FGs) with 11 rebounds (six offensive), two assists, one steal and two blocks with just one turnover to his name in 34 minutes. He’s still just top-60 on the season because he isn’t blocking shots, with the two tonight tying his season high, only accumulating that many on two occasions. Cam Johnson had a 14/4/2/1/1 evening with three triples and is probably the biggest direct beneficiary whenever D-Book is hurt, so feel free to stream him if Booker sits on Thursday against the Pistons (I see no reason why he wouldn’t get some extra rest even if he’s fine, given the opponent). Mikal Bridges had just two points but brought the defense with four steals and a block and tied Chris Paul with a team-high plus-21 net rating, and if he’s snubbed from an All-Defensive Team again, I would like a word with whoever’s voting. Jae Crowder hit two huge triples late to help clinch the win, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, one steal and four 3-pointers, and while he’s just a late-round guy he’s yet another Sun that could get a bump if Booker is in street clothes for a couple games.
Jordan Poole was the star of the Warriors on Tuesday, scoring a team-high 28 points on 9-of-15 from the field while adding five rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, six 3-pointers and four turnovers in 35 minutes. He netted 16 points in the first quarter alone, which is a career high for him in any NBA quarter, and he looks better than ever in every single aspect of the game. Klay’s return is bound to hurt him a bit, but he’s playing way too well and is too pivotal of a guy to not play 30 minutes a night. Stephen Curry finally struggled, but the fact that his team hung in there with the hottest team in the league by a wide margin with Curry playing like he did speaks volumes to the quality of these GSW role players. Steph hit just 4-of-21 shots for 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, three treys and two turnovers in his 36 minutes of action, and this was actually his worst field goal percentage of his career (19.0%) when attempting at least 20 shots. He missed some shots he normally makes, but the Suns get plenty of credit for making it a point to guard him wherever he can make a shot, which, as we know, is virtually anywhere on hardwood. The best part is that these two teams get a rematch this coming Friday, so not only does everyone get plenty of rest, but Steph is sure to bounce back. Andrew Wiggins was inefficient but had a half decent 10/3/2/1/1 line, Draymond Green posted an 8/11/5 line with a block and five of Golden State’s 22 turnovers and Otto Porter Jr. has been playing rather well with Andre Iguodala (knee, already unlikely to play Friday) sidelined and proved he’s worth rostering right now with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and four triples in 30 minutes.