CRONKITE SPORTS

Suns hope to ride momentum of victory over Hawks as they visit Golden State

Dec 3, 2016, 6:10 AM | Updated: Dec 5, 2016, 11:17 am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the ...

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX — The Suns are approaching the quarter pole of the NBA season, and are hoping to use their recent victory over the Atlanta Hawks as a springboard that will get them out of the Pacific Division basement.

The club is off to a slow start, posting a 6-13 record entering December.

But as valuable as the victory over the Hawks might be, the Suns would really get a boost by beating Golden State Saturday in the Bay Area. They are already 0-2 against the Warriors this season.

Suns forward P.J. Tucker said the Suns hope to make adjustments against a Warriors team that is loaded with stars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and, now this season, Kevin Durant.

“We tweaked our coverages a little bit, (in terms of) how we’re going to guard certain things,” Tucker said. “We’re going to stick to our principles. We stick to our core of what we do.”

The Suns will try to adjust on the offensive end as well.

“We went over a couple of their sets, we know how they’re going to defend,” said Suns guard Devin Booker. “They like to switch a lot of things. We’re just trying to put in wrinkles to it.”

The Warriors are coming off a double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets, but have been one of the hottest teams in the league. Before falling to the Rockets, the Warriors had won 12 in a row and lost only once in November.

But even with such a tough draw in front of them, the Suns players believe they can use this game as starting point and string together enough victories to climb back into contention in the division.

“We’re in this position where we could take it from winning games and keep a little streak going,” said Tucker. “It’s been tough for us, but we’re just going to stick together and keep playing hard.”

Booker said the Suns can’t key on one particular player because any of the Golden State starters has the ability to take over a game.

But he believes that if the Suns keep playing as they did against the Hawks, they will turn their season around.

“We knew Atlanta was a must-win for us,” he said.”We came out with that intensity, which we haven’t been doing a lot this year, so it felt good.”

Despite their struggles early in the season, the Suns are confident they have to tools to keep up with any team on the court.

“We’re just worried about us for the most part,” said Tucker. “We do what we have to do on defense; the rest of it will take care of itself.”

Booker agreed.

“We know they have a lot of firepower. We know it’s not going to be an easy game,” he said. “But we know that if we’re the best version of ourselves, we have a pretty good chance.”

Cronkite Sports

Cronkite Sports

Sports gambling in Arizona moves closer to reality

In the near future, the Arizona sports fan’s experience could include the ability to place bets inside sports venues while the action unfolds.

3 years ago

Higley quarterback Kai Millner committed to Cal this spring, despite visiting the campus just once ...

Cronkite Sports

Arizona high school football recruits still committing amid coronavirus

Despite visiting campuses few times if at all in some cases, class of 2021 high school football prospects from Arizona are committing at record rates.

4 years ago

(Photo via Cronkite News courtesy Mesa Community College Facebook)...

Arizona Sports

COVID-19 prompts junior colleges to push for cancellation of sports

The 2020-21 school year for Maricopa County community colleges may not include sports, schools await a decision by the district chancellor.

4 years ago

New Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez believes outreach in the Arizona Hispanic market is ...

Cronkite Sports

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez is the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history and hopes to reach new fans in the Valley.

4 years ago

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, is ready to get the WNBA...

Cronkite Sports

Full pay, 22-game season in Florida on tap for Phoenix Mercury

Another league has agreed on a return-to-play plan in the month of July. This time it’s the WNBA, whose members include the Phoenix Mercury.

4 years ago

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coaches Peter Ramage (left) and Blair Gavin are awaiting details about ...

Cronkite Sports

Phoenix Rising players await news on resumption of USL Championship

Phoenix Rising FC and the USL Championship are set to resume play July 11 while players wait on more details for the return.

4 years ago

Suns hope to ride momentum of victory over Hawks as they visit Golden State