Phoenix Suns 2016 NBA Draft Lottery Watch: March 22nd
Mar 22, 2016, 7:16 AM
A day late, but we’re back with looking at the Suns chase for the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. If you’re feeling stalker-ish you might even be able to find Ben Simmons in Phoenix!
Ben Simmons has withdrawn from school officially and is moving to Phoenix until the NBA Draft, source tells @SNYtv
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 22, 2016
Kidding, don’t do that — I’m serious, really don’t.
Let’s see where the Suns sit.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (9-62)
Last Week (and Monday): 0-5 with losses to the Nets, Wizards, Thunder, Celtics and Pacers
The top odds are pretty much a wrap. It’s going to the Sixers and it’s become a battle for the second most ping-pong balls.
This Week: Wednesday at Nuggets, Saturday at Trail Blazers, Sunday at Warriors
Philly has 11 games left — if we set the over/under at 0.5 what are you taking?
2. Los Angeles Lakers (14-55)
Last Week: 0-3 with losses to the Knicks, Kings and Suns
This was killer to the Suns’ chances of catching the Lakers as Los Angeles lost to all three of the bad teams they faced.
This Week: Tuesday vs. Grizzlies, Wednesday at Suns, Friday vs. Nuggets, Sunday vs. Wizards
L.A. is 4.5 games behind the Suns. If Phoenix loses to them at home, that’s 3.5 games. It’s going to be hard for the Lakers to fall to the third slot.
3. Phoenix Suns (19-51)
Last Week (and Monday): 2-2 with wins over the Timberwolves and Lakers and losses to the Jazz and Grizzlies.
The Suns lost to the teams in the playoffs or playoff race and beat the bottom dwellers. The victories were killers for Phoenix’s chances of moving up and has them in danger of dropping to fourth.
This Week: Wednesday vs. Lakers, Friday at Kings, Saturday vs. Celtics
This is pretty much the Suns’ last hope needing a loss to the Lakers and all three games overall to have a legitimate chance at catching L.A.
4. Brooklyn Nets (19-50)
Last Week: 1-3 with a win against the Sixers and losses to the Bucks, Bulls and Pistons.
Brooklyn is creeping as they’ve dropped six of seven. The Nets are only one game better than the Suns in the loss column.
This Week: Tuesday vs. Hornets, Thursday vs. Cavaliers, Saturday vs. Pacers
Looks like another three losses on deck for the Nets since they play three playoff teams.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-48)
Last Week (and Monday): 1-3 with a win against the Grizzlies and losses to the Suns, Rockets and Warriors.
Memphis is quite generous in terms of losing to teams on this list. The Grizzlies have four losses combined to the T-Wolves and Suns since Jan. 23. Minnesota is quietly only 2.5 games behind the Nets and three from the Suns.
This Week: Wednesday vs. Kings, Friday at Wizards, Saturday vs. Jazz
Minnesota has a winnable game against the Kings and two tough ones Friday and Saturday. The Wizards and Jazz are both playing better basketball lately. Quick sidenote — in the month of March, Markieff Morris is averaging 12.4 points on just under 50 percent shooting in 27 minutes.
