Phoenix Suns snakebitten when it comes to buzzer-beaters
Feb 9, 2015, 3:44 PM | Updated: 5:58 pm
When it comes to buzzer-beaters, if it wasn’t for bad luck, the Phoenix Suns wouldn’t have any luck at all.
Sunday, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins took an 18-foot jumper which hit the back rim, then the front rim, then rolled around and fell through to give the Kings an 85-83 win over the Suns at Sleep Train Arena.
It was the Suns’ fourth loss at the buzzer in a span of 32 games.
According to ESPN’s Stats and Info, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen such an unlucky team at the end of contests in the NBA.
Suns: beaten by a game-winning buzzer-beater for 4th time this season (most such losses by NBA tean since 2006-07 Jazz had 4)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 9, 2015
The “fun” started back on Dec. 8, when Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers used every part of the rim on a three-pointer that sunk the Suns 121-120 in overtime.
Exactly a week later, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton threw up a wild three-point attempt, which banked off the backboard, hit the front rim and fell in to give the Bucks a 96-94 win at US Airways Center.
Last month, it was Houston’s James Harden, who became the latest in an ever-growing line of opponents to rip the Suns’ collective heart out. In a game tied at 111, Harden took the inbound pass and stood between the circles as the clock ran down. The All-Star started his move, and launched a step-back jumper that rattled through the net as time expired.
And then Sunday, it was Cousins who added to the Suns’ late-game misery.
In addition to becoming the answer to a painful trivia question, the ramifications of these losses could be long-lasting for the Suns. Phoenix is currently 29-24 and clinging to the final Western Conference playoff spot. They hold a one-game lead over New Orleans and a two-game advantage over Oklahoma City with 29 games remaining.
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