The Phoenix Suns aim for history in the franchise record books as they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
The Suns are looking for their 18th straight victory, one more than their previous record of 17 consecutive wins set in the 2006-2007 season. That Suns team from more than a decade ago was the height of the fabled "seven seconds or less" era spearheaded by Steve Nash. Today's version of the Suns, meanwhile, are still writing their own legacy.
The core of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and Miles Bridges are fresh off a statement 104-96 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The matchup was pitted as two of the best teams in the league going head-to-head. After the dust settled, the Suns tied the Warriors with the best record at 18-3.
Ayton led the offense with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Bridges headlined the defense. Bridges was the main defender on Steph Curry and put on a defensive clinic, limiting the league’s top scorer and early MVP candidate to merely 12 points on an atrocious 4-for-21 shooting, including 3-for-14 from beyond the arc. Taking the cue from Bridges, the Suns ramped up their defensive effort and put the clamps on the Warriors. Golden State averages more than 113 points per game, but it failed to reach the century mark versus Phoenix.
Unfortunately, the Suns won't be in full force in the hopes of keeping their streak alive. Booker, the team's leading scorer with 23.2 points per game, is out with a hamstring injury. He missed the second half versus the Warriors and is reportedly expected to be sidelined for a few games.
Phoenix has another date with Golden State this weekend, but it has to go through Detroit first. The 4-17 Pistons are amidst a seven-game skid and are currently dead last in the East.
Despite the landslide of losses, there are a few positive signs for Motor City. The number one overall pick Cade Cunningham is coming off his best game scoring the ball with 26 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. He found his shot and went 10-for-13 from the field, after coming into the game shooting only 33.5 percent. Though he was responsible for six of the Pistons' 18 turnovers, he also had seven rebounds and three blocks.
The young and struggling Pistons are in complete contrast with the experienced and rampaging Suns. Nonetheless, the matchup is intriguing as it features a team going for a franchise-record versus a team looking for an upset of epic proportions.
Catch the game tomorrow live at 10:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines, available on Smart’s GigaPlay app and Cignal TV.
