Phoenix Suns preseason: By the Numbers
Oct 26, 2014, 8:02 PM | Updated: 8:03 pm
The Phoenix Suns shocked the basketball world last season, as the supposed cellar dweller started hot and stayed hot en route to a 48-win season.
While the Suns fell one game short of returning to the postseason, many consider last season a success.
A new season is on the horizon, Eric Bledsoe is back and Phoenix hopes to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.
The Suns will attempt to capitalize on a strong preseason and turn it into regular season success.
Before Wednesday’s opening night tip off, here’s a look at the Suns’ preseason by the numbers:
5-2
The Suns finished the preseason with a 5-2 record for the second year in a row after beating the Nuggets, Spurs, Lakers, Jazz and Rio de Janeiro Flamengo. Only three teams in the NBA won more preseason games than the Suns, and all three played one more game.
+56
Phoenix’s successful preseason culminated in a +56 point differential in seven games. The Suns scored 734 points and gave up 678.
15.0
Guard Eric Bledsoe led all Suns with a preseason points-per-game average of 15.0. The 24-year-old was second on the Suns last season, averaging 17.7 points-per-game in 43 games.
7.0
Combined points-per-game between Phoenix’s first round draft picks T.J. Warren and Tyler Ennis. The rookies were drafted two spots apart in June’s draft — 14th and 18th overall respectively. Warren is out indefinitely with a small crack in a bone in his left thumb.
4.1
Newcomer Isaiah Thomas led all Suns with 4.1 assists-per-game this preseason. Thomas averaged 6.3 assists-per-game last season with the Sacramento Kings. The 25-year-old came to Phoenix in July via a sing and trade.
5.9
P.J. Tucker’s 5.9 rebounds-per-game led the team this preseason, after finishing second on the team with 6.5 rebounds-per-game last season.
20.0/9.7
The average combined points and rebounds-per-game of the Morris brothers, Marcus and Markieff, this preseason.
