The Phoenix Suns have registered their second win of the season following a heartbreak against the Los Angeles Lakers. They have defeated the Utah Jazz at the Footprint Center despite the entire services of their new big three. Kevin Durant had to take charge on this occasion, as he engineered a win in less than 30 minutes.
In a Devin Booker and Bradley Beal-less roster, the team won their first home match of the campaign. Following the Jazz demolition, the Suns look set to continue their impressive form.
1. The red-hot start of Kevin Durant continues
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The 35-year-old seemed unaffected by his age as he dropped 26 points in 29 minutes against the Utah side. In the three matches till now, he has magnificently averaged 27.7-8.3-4 in 106 minutes of playing time. Despite his shooting percentage taking a slight hit in this opening phase of the season, his game certainly has evolved.
In the first two matches, he took more defensive responsibility, helping the team out with rebounds. But against Utah, he focused more on efficiency as he made all of his 2-pointers and free-throws count. Overall, the 2-time champion led his side to a triumph with an applauding plus-minus of +30.
2. The integration of Eric Gordon worked like a charm
The 34-year-old signed with the Phoenix team in the offseason to become their sixth player. He got his opportunity in the starting lineup due to the absence of Booker. Since then, the shooting guard has taken over the game at times with his dominant displays. He has shown signs of improvement game by game till now.
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Eric took responsibility for posing a threat from the backcourt as he dropped 21 points against the Jazz. Shooting 64.3% from the field, he made 42.9% of his three-pointers count throughout the match. The recent recruit also had a splendid plus-minus record of 23 by the end of the match.
3. The spectacular bench strength of the Suns
The franchise showcased the depth of its roster in a crucial game for the team. Jordan Goodwin, in particular, caught the eyes as he scored 12 points, following a 14-point game against the Lakers. Despite misfiring at times, the 25-year-old made up for it with his high-volume shooting, rebounds, and assists. Their bench seemed to have a good balance overall who could turn the tide of the matches on their day
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Due to these reasons, Booker and Beal were not missed in the game. With the fans hoping to see their entire squad together as soon as possible, they may not find the process of wining games.