Kokoskov: Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup has brought stability

PHOENIX — For now, it seems, the Phoenix Suns have found their starting lineup.

Coach Igor Kokoskov of course can’t write it in stone, but as the Suns prepared to host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday evening, he offered that there was no reason not to stick with what worked well over a four-game eastern road trip.

“We’re trying to win the games. That’s the main thing. Obviously, starting something new, starting a new season with a lot of new guys, you’re searching for that,” he said.

“With Mikal (Bridges) being in it, just give us length, size and stability. We’re going to stick with the lineup that we’ve had the previous two games.”

Bridges started three of the four games on the road trip, which began with forward Trevor Ariza returning from an absence due to personal issues.

But even in that one game he didn’t start, it was clear Kokoskov has found his best lineup to this point with Devin Booker at point guard, Deandre Ayton at center and wings T.J. Warren, Ariza and Bridges adding length and a variety of scoring chops.

That lineup, in 48 total minutes played together, has outscored opponents at a rate of 17.5 points per 100 possessions.

Former starting point guard Isaiah Canaan has taken the backseat as Phoenix has turned to Booker at point guard. Still a key piece to the rotation, Canaan played 21 minutes per game despite going 2-for-17 on the four-game road trip.

Meanwhile, rookie point guards Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton have been nailed to a shortening bench as wing Josh Jackson, guard Jamal Crawford and center Richaun Holmes have been the main reserve options.

A more rigid rotation has led to more competitive basketball. Phoenix went 1-3 against Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit. A two-point win over the Bucks thanks to a Crawford buzzer-beater came amid losses of five points (76ers), eight points (Bulls) and 11 points (Pistons).

“Now we have to work on finishing games, how to sustain a lead and how to fight through all four quarters,” Booker said.

With four minutes to play in the third quarter at Milwaukee on Friday, the Suns lost all but two points of a 12-point lead over the next eight minutes. Then, after going ahead 108-100 with seven minutes left in the game, the Bucks rattled off 14 straight points, forcing a rally leading to Crawford’s game-winner.

The Suns couldn’t repeat their late-game heroics in the other three games, yet it marks progress.

“That Milwaukee win was a big win for us,” Booker said.

That the Suns were in all four games leads back to the starting lineup that, for now, Kokoskov has committed to.

Booker’s play-making is obviously the biggest part of that working out favorably. In just two more minutes per game compared to a year ago, his assists per game average has jumped from 4.7 to 7.1.

Bridges, though, has brought floor spacing, the ability to defend opposing point guards and — maybe most importantly — the second-lowest turnover rate on the entire team after fellow starter Warren.

“Mikal Bridges gives us stability and that’s impressive that (a) rookie (can do it),” Kokoskov said. “You can say he’s one of the more stable guys in terms of gameplan, execution.”

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