Suns @ Mavericks Thursday game thread 2-22-2024: Post All-Star Break

[Covert Rain]

Thursday can't come soon enough. Ready to get this thing rolling again.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Thursday can't come soon enough. Ready to get this thing rolling again.

Yeah… I’m super antsy to get this final stretch of the season going again.

 

[Suns_fan69]

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I'm guessing he'll play one of the 2 games on this back to back.

 

[Superbone]

The Mavs are clear favorites according to Vegas odds.

 

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

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[clyde2tw]

Royce should shine in this game. He has more size and smarts than Okogie so he should be able to guard Luka all game. I'd consider a lineup change if I were Vogel, bringing Allen off the bench so Royce can cover Luka all night. It would also allow us to have more instant offense off the bench.

I disagree. RO won't bother Luka much just as most good defenders in this league with similar smarts. JO has a better chance with his quickness to annoy Luka's rhythm. Or Roddy who is strong enough to bang him.

 

[Adrian]

Know thy enemy

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[Adrian]

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[Mainstreet]

These are the Suns players at the optional shootaround today.

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[BooksOrangePlanet]

These are the Suns players at the optional shootaround today.

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No Royce - he's moved up in the line up quickly

 

[Adrian]

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[Mainstreet]

No Royce - he's moved up in the line up quickly

O'Neal is already a rotation player. I wonder where Thaddeus Young fits into the Suns future plans.

 

[Adrian]

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[Weenus O'Baggins]

with the top 4 in the west looking all but set and the suns floating right there with the pels and mavs - id say this is a must win game - especially knowing we have to get over the luka hump if we're ever going to get anywhere

everybody's healthy - game is important - we got newbies they got newbies - no excuses - we're past the all star break - it's freakin go time

The beauty of us playing all these good teams is that the seedings are anything but decided. We got 2 against each of the Nuggets, Clippers, and Wolves.

 

[Chaplin]

These are the Suns players at the optional shootaround today.

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Love that almost the entire bench is there. Looks like just Royce and Thad are missing?

 

[Mainstreet]

When Bradley Beal returns, the Suns have the makings of a solid bench:

Royce O'Neale
Eric Gordon
Josh Okogie
Thaddeus Young
Drew Eubanks

I was hoping they would sign Delon Wright, but it didn't work out. If no one significant becomes available, I suspect the Suns will consider adding Saban Lee to their playoff roster.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Would be really nice to get Otto Porter if he's bought out.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Would be really nice to get Otto Porter if he's bought out.

Agree. Has no knees left but for spot minutes he’s a quality playoff player.

 

[Suns_fan69]

When Bradley Beal returns, the Suns have the makings of a solid bench:

Royce O'Neale
Eric Gordon
Josh Okogie
Thaddeus Young
Drew Eubanks

I was hoping they would sign Delon Wright, but it didn't work out. If no one significant becomes available, I suspect the Suns will consider adding Saban Lee to their playoff roster.

Probably a warm/lukewarm take, but I'd consider swapping Royce into the starting lineup with Grayson. Gives a bit more offensive/defensive balance in the starting lineup.
That being said, there's something to be said for consistency/cohesion, and Allen has been playing very well so I'm ok with the 'it ain't broke so don't fix it' approach.

 

[Mainstreet]

Probably a warm/lukewarm take, but I'd consider swapping Royce into the starting lineup with Grayson. Gives a bit more offensive/defensive balance in the starting lineup.
That being said, there's something to be said for consistency/cohesion, and Allen has been playing very well so I'm ok with the 'it ain't broke so don't fix it' approach.

This could be a chemistry thing. I'm not sure how Allen feels about coming off the bench whereas I think O'Neale is willing to accept any role.

However, in the playoffs, it gets even more into matchups so I could see it happening there.

 

[Dr dumas]

The beauty of us playing all these good teams is that the seedings are anything but decided. We got 2 against each of the Nuggets, Clippers, and Wolves.

I also like that we will be battle tested heading into the playoffs since we have the toughest remaining schedule.

 

[Proximo]

I also like that we will be battle tested heading into the playoffs since we have the toughest remaining schedule.

That's assuming we win our fair share, It won't take many losses to fall out of the top 10