The Phoenix Suns lost 113-98 to the Orlando Magic, turning the ball over 22 times and trailing 31-13 in the fourth quarter.
This game felt hauntingly similar to the Suns’ Friday night 133-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers; although Phoenix was able to stay in the game until the fourth quarter, the opponent’s extra shot attempts and mistakes proved to be too much to overcome.
After all of the starters were replaced with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Phoenix (26–20) managed to score just one field goal from the 10:10 mark. During this time, Orlando went on a 21-2 run.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant both finished with 40 points for the sixth time in a row. Booker scored 44 points on 17 of 26 shots, but his scoring spree was not rewarded with a victory for the second straight game.
With 15 points and five assists, Durant was the only other Suns player to score in double figures. Throughout the game, Durant took just 12 shots, making seven of them.
Regarding Durant, Suns coach Frank Vogel stated, “(The) Magic defense did a good job trying to take him out of it, but we got to make sure we screen for him better, one, and then get better looks.”
After sustaining a nasal fracture on Friday, Bradley Beal, who was wearing an ill-fitting mask while playing, went 3-for-3 to begin the game but only converted one of his final 11 attempts for nine points.
Vogel stated that he believes the mask was the cause of “a lot” of Beal’s difficulties.
Vogel remarked, “He’s attempting to play with the mask.” When he did receive open looks, it was evident that he was growing irritated at not having a clear line of sight and other things. Since then, he has had more difficulty with the jump shot than anything else in the last two games. I believe that the game clearly changes when he goes to the hoop. Although I think it has affected him somewhat, I have to give him credit for fighting so hard to persevere and get through it.
With seven turnovers, Durant led the Suns, followed by Beal and Booker with four each. Jusuf Nurkić was sidelined for this game due to a sprained left thumb he sustained against Indiana.
Vogel expressed frustration about it. Increased errors in judgment. We were clearly outmatched physically by them in many spots, so we couldn’t manage their physicality. They were allowed to play a physical style of pressure basketball by the referees. We couldn’t manage it. Seven times (in the fourth quarter), we turned the ball over. We didn’t knock them down when we did receive positive looks. We’ll keep examining what has to be done in order to improve in the fourth.
In the defeat, the Suns also attempted a season-low four 3-pointers. Of their 14 shots, 4 (28.6%) were from long range. The Magic, meanwhile, tried 36 threes and made 12 (33.3%) of them.
Due to all of these reasons, the Magic (24–20) ended up with 19 more shots than the Suns overall. Phoenix made 41 of 73 (56.2%) field goals, compared to the Magic’s 41 of 92 (44.6%).
Vogel explained that the poor 3-point totals in the pick-and-roll game were due to their attempt to play as close to home as possible. “We weren’t really getting the desired movement out of the ball. Once more, we should give them credit for joining us and managing the pick and roll without needing to switch roles.
With 26 points on 9 of 18 shooting and seven assists, Paolo Banchero led Orlando. Mo Wagner finished the fourth quarter with a season-high 12 rebounds and nine of his 16 points.
