Last week: Won at Charlotte 109-104 Monday, lost at Orlando 128-114 Wednesday, won at New Orleans 139-132 (OT) Thursday, lost at Houston 115-109 Saturday
This week: Monday vs. Minnesota, Wednesday vs. Memphis, Saturday vs. San Antonio (to be played in Mexico City)
The Phoenix Suns put together a 2-2 road trip last week and are continuing to tread water after opening the season 7-4. The biggest problem for the Suns — who played without injured Aron Baynes all week — was on the glass, where they were outrebounded by an average of 5.3 boards per game and outscored in the paint by 1.6 points a night.
Devin Booker carried the load in the overtime win at New Orleans, finishing with 44 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. On the week, he averaged 29.8 points, 5.8 assists and 4.8 boards per game, shooting 52.1 percent overall and 40.0 percent on 7.5 deep tries a night. The Suns will be in Mexico City next weekend, playing a “home” game with the Spurs on a neutral court.
Last week: Lost to Miami 109-106 Sunday, won at Atlanta 130-118 Wednesday, won at Charlotte 111-104 Friday
This week: Sunday vs. Denver, Wednesday vs. Charlotte, Saturday at Toronto
Save for a late-game collapse against the Heat on Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets could have had an unblemished week. But Miami came back from seven points down in the final 1:45, finishing the game on a 10-0 run as Brooklyn clanked its final five shots. The Nets are now 8-3 since losing Kyrie Irving to a shoulder injury and are a season-high two games over .500.
Jarrett Allen is finding a new level, running his streak of double-digit rebounding games to a career-high seven, highlighted by 20 points, 13 boards and three blocks at Atlanta on Wednesday. Joe Harris heated up last week, averaging 20.0 points and 3.3 assists in 30.3 minutes per game, shooting 55.0 percent overall and drilling 12-of-20 from 3-point range.