PHOENIX SUNS

Suns implode in beatdown at Atlanta: By the Numbers

Apr 8, 2015, 3:18 AM | Updated: 3:27 am

Follow @AZSports...

Safe to say, Tuesday’s 96-69 loss at Atlanta reached a new low for the Phoenix Suns this season, both literally and figuratively.

The 69 points scored by the Suns marked their lowest output of the year; a floundering performance in which only one Suns player scored in double figures (Gerald Green with 15), while the team as a whole racked up three technical fouls.

Currently three and half games back of New Orleans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Suns haven’t been mathematically eliminated, but they might as well be.

At this stage in the season and following Tuesday night’s dismal display, the best thing Suns fans can reasonably hope for is a salvage attempt at a 2014-15 campaign that began with promise, but that will almost assuredly end in out and out failure.

Below we take a look at Phoenix’s 39th loss of the season, by the numbers.

69

As mentioned above, the 69 points posted by the Suns in Atlanta is the lowest total point output by the team this season. Their previous low was the 74 points they scored in a 27-point home loss to San Antonio on February 28.

3

In addition to their anemic showing on offense, the Suns were similarly weak in the mental aspect of the game. Phoenix racked up three technical fouls to add insult to embarrassment, with one going to Markieff Morris and two going to Eric Bledsoe, leading to Bledsoe’s ejection. Morris’ technical foul was his 15th of the season, meaning ‘Kieff is one technical shy of serving a mandatory one-game suspension.

10-8

The Atlanta game marked the 18th and final set of back-to-back games for the Suns this season, as Phoenix has posted a 10-8 record overall in the first game of the back-to-backs. It comes as little surprise that Phoenix’s record suffers dramatically in the second game of the back-to-back set, sinking to 6-11.

8

After publicly questioning the team’s leadership — or lack thereof — this past Saturday, Suns guard Archie Goodwin finished the game with eight points, tying three other players (Brandan Wright, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris) for second-most on the team.

50-4

Having never lost a game by 15 or more points in Philips Arena prior to Tuesday’s game, the Suns fell victim to the buzzsaw that is the Atlanta Hawks. In fact, entering tonight’s contest, the Hawks were an astounding 49-4 in games this season when they’ve lead by at least 10 points. That number now increases to an even 50.

3.5

After Tuesday’s loss in Atlanta, the Suns are now three and half games behind the newest eighth seed out West, the New Orleans Pelicans. With four games left on Phoenix’s schedule, the Suns aren’t dead yet, but it’s safe to consider them on life support.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

10 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

14 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

17 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns implode in beatdown at Atlanta: By the Numbers