Phoenix Suns 2016 NBA Draft Lottery Watch: April 4
Apr 4, 2016, 7:18 AM
The Philadelphia 76ers did a nice job ruining any fun this could have been — thank guys.
Philadelphia has already clinched the most ping-pong balls for the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery and has the best percentage and landing the top pick in June’s draft.
Interestingly enough, for all the talk of the Sixers tanking, this is the first time over the last three years they’ve finished with the worst record.
Here’s our look at the “backward standings” heading into the week of Apr. 4.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (9-68)
Last Week: 0-3 with two losses to the Hornets and one to the Pacers.
Philly’s losing streak has reached 12 games. It’s their fourth double-digit losing streak this season, including an 0-18 stretch to start the year.
This Week: Tuesday vs. Pelicans, Friday vs. Knicks and Sunday vs. Bucks
Three games at home against all bad teams for the Sixers. I’d bet the losing streak comes to an end.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (16-60)
Last Week: 1-2 with a win against the Heat and losses to the Jazz and Celtics
This Week: Tuesday at the Clippers, Wednesday vs. the Clippers, Friday at the Pelicans and Sunday at the Rockets.
The Suns only trail the Lakers by three games in the loss column for the second-most lottery balls. Los Angeles has six games left, while Phoenix has five.
3. Phoenix Suns (20-57)
Last Week: 0-4 with losses to the Timberwolves, Bucks, Wizards and Jazz.
Tyson Chandler’s last three games — 38, 39 and 34 minutes.
P.J. Tucker’s last three games — 38, 36 and 39 minutes.
Ronnie Price’s last three games — 32, 33, and 21 minutes.
Devin Booker’s last three games — 41, 35, and 38 minutes.
It’s madness and irresponsible on various levels from interim head coach Earl Watson.
This Week: Tuesday at Hawks, Thursday at Rockets, Saturday at Pelicans
4. Brooklyn Nets (21-56)
Last Week: 0-5 with losses to the Heat, Magic, Cavaliers, Knicks and Pelicans
Ohhhhhh boy, this is getting interesting as Celtics fans are doing maniacal hand rubs. Brooklyn only trails the Suns by one game and Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young aren’t playing the rest of the season.
This Week: Wednesday at the Wizards, Friday at the Hornets and Sunday at the Pacers.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-52)
Last Week: 1-3 with a win against the Suns and losses to the Clippers, Jazz and Mavericks.
This Week: Tuesday at the Warriors, Thursday at the Kings and Saturday at the Trail Blazers.
Minnesota has pretty much locked itself into the five slot. The T’Wolves are 4.5 games ahead of the Pelicans and trail the Nets by four games.
