PHOENIX SUNS
Power rankings: How the Suns stack up to the rest of the NBA at the break
Mar 11, 2021, 2:51 PM | Updated: 3:41 pm
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams talks to his team during a timeout against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
The Phoenix Suns start the second half of the season with the second-best record in the NBA and sit atop the Pacific Division at 24-11.
After a mediocre 8-8 start, the Suns have gone 16-3 over their last 19 games, have jumped into the driver’s seat in the Pacific Division and only trail the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference.
The Suns have compiled the best record in the league since Jan. 28. At home, they are 9-3 in that span and are undefeated on the road.
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Here’s a look at where the Suns stand in the latest power rankings as they come out of the All-Star break.
Current ranking: 5
Previous ranking: 6
The only time Phoenix has truly struggled this season was following a week of postponements because of the coronavirus, when they dropped four of five — including two tough overtime losses to Denver.
Current ranking: 5
Previous ranking: 7
I wrote a feature story on the Suns last week, but one player I didn’t have the space to spend many words on was Saric, who should be on the radar as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Saric plays a pivotal role off Phoenix’s bench as a heady defender who can switch screens, and as a shooter and facilitator from the high post on offense who can even bring the ball up the court.
Current ranking: 3
Previous ranking: 5
Monty Williams changed his starting lineup quite a bit over the first half, showcasing a malleable roster that can adjust according to matchups. There’s no doubt the Suns are for real, with the No. 3 defense and No. 8 offense in the NBA.
Current ranking: 2
Previous ranking: 3
Phoenix is playing the part of party-crashers this season. As the Los Angeles Lakers deal with injuries and the Los Angeles Clippers struggle, the Suns have waltzed right into the second spot in the West. They are on a four-game win streak and are winners of eight of their last 10 games.
Current ranking: 2
Previous ranking: 4
After an 8-8 start, the Suns are *16-3 since Jan. 28, ranking fourth on both ends of the floor over that stretch. They rank second in field goal percentage (50.5%), fifth in 3-point percentage (40.3%) and third in free throw percentage (84.3%) over those five weeks.
