Two nights ago, the Phoenix Sunsdid something they have failed to do all season long – close out agame and win in the fourth quarter in a thrilling comeback victoryover the Sacramento Kings.
The Suns, who already lost ninegames this season in fourth quarters, are dead last infourth-quarter scoring at just 24.6 points per game. They are alsogetting outscored by 3.2 points – worst in the league.
Phoenix tends to shrink whenthey are pressured in tense moments despite having talented,all-world scorers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.This shouldn't be happening to an aspiring championship team – itis downright uncharacteristic and unacceptable.
Tuesday night’s game against theKings looked like it was heading toward another inexcusable loss inthe fourth, as the Kings led by 18 points, 112-94, with 5:56 togo.
The Suns have been longing tofix their fourth-quarter woes, but to no avail, as a combination ofinjuries, bad rotations and lackluster effort on defense have heldback the team.
So, how did the Suns come backand get the win? By going on a 32-8 run to end the game.
With the Suns down 109-89 in animportant game against their division rivals, Durant blocked aMalik Monk floater off a pick-and-roll, passed it out and foundChimezie Metu leaking out for an easy transition layup. The nextpossession, Josh Okogie made an extraordinary play that fueled theSuns’ furious comeback. On an island vs. Monk, Okogie stayed withhim after a crossover and hustled back to block a floater, and itled to a wide-open transition trey by Grayson Allen that cut thelead to 17.
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