Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Game Preview, Prediction
By Jacob Troxell
@RantSportsJacob
Jennifer Stewart- USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns (7-5) will try to win a third straight game on their current road trip when they face a team that Suns guard Eric Bledsoe says his alma mater Kentucky could beat, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Bledsoe’s comments will certainly make this matchup more interesting. He probably should have waited until the Suns beat the 76ers to trash them publicly because his comments have sparked more national debate on whether or not Kentucky would beat the 76ers. The only team left without a win in the NBA will now be more motivated than they have been all season.
However, it may not matter because the 76ers will face a Suns team that is eighth in scoring and first in free throw percentage across the NBA, while they themselves are last in both respective categories. The battle of the boards will be key to watch, as Phoenix is undefeated when out-rebounding their opponent (5-0) and just 2-5 when they do not.
It seems that rebounding is the Suns’ kryptonite and they certainly struggle when they don’t control the defensive glass. With the 76ers averaging only 2.4 less RPG, this one may be closer than most expect it.
Rookie Nerlens Noel and 24 year old Henry Sims lead the 76ers’ young frontcourt and will challenge the Suns thin frontcourt of Miles Plumlee, Alex Len and Markieff Morris. The Suns have been shooting a mere 33.7 percent from behind the 3-point line this year, and with the plethora of 3-point shooters they have going against the worst defense in the NBA, look for that number to improve.
This is a game the Suns should win and need to win. Other Western Conference teams running for a playoff will and have beaten the 76ers. To keep up, this is one the Suns need to get back on track, and not by the slimmest of margins like their last two games.
Prediction: The 76ers will keep it close for a while, but the Suns will win the rebounding battle and pull away 112-99.
Jacob Troxell is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @RantSportsJacob.
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