The Suns are beginning to look like title contenders
Following a rocky start to the season, the Suns are beginning to look like the title contenders many expected them to be entering the season.
Phoenix (25-18) is on a six-game winning streak and 11-3 over its past 14 games after starting the season 14-15.
A big reason for the team's turnaround has been the health of Bradley Beal, who appeared in only six of the Suns' first 30 games because of back issues. Since returning on Dec. 29, he has played in 13 straight games.
A now-healthy Beal (18 PPG, four APG), combined with fellow All-Stars Kevin Durant (29.6 PPG, 5.6 APG) and Devin Booker (26.7 PPG, 7.6 APG), makes Phoenix dangerous
In the 240 minutes — a relatively small sample size — that the trio has spent on the court together, they are outscoring opponents by 15.2 points per 100 possessions. For comparison, the league-leading Celtics outscore opponents by 9.7 points per 100 possessions.
During the six-game winning streak, the three All-Stars have all had a chance to showcase their scoring talents.
Beal scored 37 points on 8-for-10 three-point shooting in a 127-109 win over the Lakers and Booker scored 52 points on 18-for-30 shooting against the Pelicans in a 123-109 victory.
It was Durant's turn to shine the past two games as he scored 40 points on 18-for-25 shooting in a 117-110 win against the Pacers and 43 points against the Bulls. His strong outing against Chicago included the winning basket.
Following the game, per Arizona Sports, Durant said the team is "trending in the right direction."
While the three All-Stars get most of the attention, Phoenix has also received strong contributions from Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen.
Nurkic is averaging 11.9 points and ranks eighth in the NBA in rebounds per game with 10.6. Allen is chipping in 13.7 points per game and leads the NBA in three-point percentage (49.1). If Allen were to finish the season with his current shooting numbers, he would join the illustrious 50-40-90 club.
Despite the Suns' recent play, one major concern remains — the team's depth and bench.
Phoenix ranks 28th in the NBA in bench scoring, averaging 27.4 points. Outside of Eric Gordon (12.5 PPG), the bench play has been inconsistent.
It will be hard for the Suns to improve this weakness as the new CBA makes it difficult for teams like Phoenix to upgrade their roster through the buyout market.
This will stop the Suns from signing a player such as the recently traded Kyle Lowry, who ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported could reach the buyout market.
If the Suns want to improve their bench, the team will need internal growth.
Despite the depth issues, Phoenix will be a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs, as the scoring proficiency of Durant, Booker and Beal is enough to threaten any team in a seven-game series.
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