Last week: Lost at Milwaukee 129-108, lost at Brooklyn 119-97, lost at Detroit 116-108, beat Houston 127-91, lost to Denver 117-108
This week: Monday at Lakers, Wednesday vs. Golden State
The Phoenix Suns managed just a 1-4 mark during a five-game week last week, getting blown out on both ends of a back-to-back Sunday and Monday at Milwaukee and Brooklyn before at least managing a split of a home back-to-back Friday and Saturday with a win over the Rockets before falling to the Nuggets Saturday night.
Deandre Ayton had a decent five-game stretch, averaging 22.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals in 34.2 minutes per game. Ayton shot 54.2 percent overall and was 0-for-4 from long range. Against Denver on Saturday, Ayton went for 28 points, 19 rebounds and three steals in 42 minutes, hitting 13-of-21 from the floor.
Last week: Won at Charlotte 112-100, lost at Boston 116-100, lost at New York 105-103, lost to Milwaukee 112-95
This week: Monday vs. Atlanta, Wednesday vs. Detroit
The skidding Orlando Magic couldn’t keep any momentum after winning Monday at Charlotte, closing the week with three straight losses. Orlando has now lost eight of its last nine and 10 of 12 overall, but remains in eighth place in the top-heavy Eastern Conference. The Magic will close out with home games against the Hawks and Pistons before the All-Star break.
Nikola Vucevic continues to pace what passes for an offensive attack for Orlando, averaging 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 blocks in 34.5 minutes per game. He shot 53.1 percent overall, but made just 23.8 percent on 5.3 long balls per game over the four games. Vucevic tried to will the Magic to a win at New York on Thursday with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting.