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The Phoenix Suns on Sunday will be facing their former coach’s current team for the first time this season, but they’re more concerned about getting their health and collecting a much-needed win when they visit the Detroit Pistons.
Monty Williams was fired by Phoenix after last season, and Pistons owner Tom Gores coaxed him into coaching his team with a record-breaking six-year, $78.5 million contract. The teams matched up in the preseason but this time, the game will count in the standings.
Phoenix will be playing the second game of a back-to-back. The Suns lost to Philadelphia 112-100 on Saturday afternoon.
Devin Booker and Bradley Beal sat out the contest. Booker, who racked up 31 points and 13 assists in 35 minutes against San Antonio on Thursday, is being eased back into action due to what is listed as a calf strain. Beal has not played since the preseason due to back spasms but he went through an extensive workout on Saturday.
“I know how much these dudes want to play,” Suns forward Kevin Durant said. “They hate being on the sidelines. We don’t want them to rush. We don’t want them to feel like there’s pressure for them to come back (immediately). We want them to be 100 percent healthy for the rest of the season.”
Without that duo, Durant has to carry the offense. He scored 31 points against the Sixers. None of his teammates had more than 13.
Beal and Booker both were listed as out on Sunday’s injury report.
“We’ve got to get used to it,” coach Frank Vogel said. “That’s how this league is. There’s going to be guys in and out of the lineup. Everybody has to stay ready and be able to toggle between roles.”
The Suns will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak on Sunday.
The Pistons have also lost three straight. Like the Suns, they’ve dealt with a number of key injuries.
Veterans Bojan Bogdanovic (calf), Monte Morris (quad) and Isaiah Livers (ankle) haven’t played this season. Key reserve Alec Burks (forearm) sat out against New Orleans on Thursday.
They’ve also dealt with a quirky schedule. They opened the season with road games against Miami and Charlotte, returned to Detroit for their home opener, then flew to Oklahoma City. After returning home to play Portland, they headed to New Orleans for the second game of a back-to-back.
“It has been a really tough schedule to start the season,” Williams said. “I told the guys that the other day. We’ve traveled close to 5,000 miles.”
Turnovers have been a major issue for the Pistons. They are averaging a league-high 17.3 per game. Franchise player Cade Cunningham has been the biggest culprit, averaging 5.5 turnovers.
Cunningham committed six against the Pelicans but also led the club with 22 points and 11 assists. Detroit also got a boost from rookie guard Marcus Sasser, who had 19 points in 23 minutes.
“He’s not afraid to take big shots and defensively, he just battles,” Williams said. “He’s starting to look like a good complement to Cade and Killian (Hayes). Those three guys, they played well together (Thursday).”
This is the first game of another back-to-back for Detroit. It hosts Golden State on Monday night.
–Field Level Media