Phoenix-suns vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Kevin Durant Steps Up for the Suns as the Grizzlies Roll Into Town

Phoenix, AZ — Kevin Durant is putting the Phoenix Suns on his back as they navigate a rough patch filled with injuries and tough losses. With the Memphis Grizzlies also banged up, Tuesday night’s game is shaping up to be a gritty battle between two teams trying to hold it together.

Durant Doing the Heavy Lifting

The Suns are in a funk, losing five of their last six games, including a frustrating 109-105 loss to the Warriors on Saturday. They had a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter but just couldn’t close the deal.

Devin Booker, their go-to guy, missed his fifth straight game with a groin injury, which left Durant to handle almost everything on offense. And while Durant dropped 31 points, the turnovers—eight of them, including three late in the game—were a killer.

Teams know Durant’s the guy to stop right now, so defenses are all over him, but that hasn’t stopped him from staying aggressive. “I’m playing against the whole team every time I touch the ball,” Durant said. “I’m not going to let a couple turnovers make me less aggressive because my team needs me to score.”

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer knows they’ve got to make life easier for Durant. “We’re working on spacing better to give him room to do what he does best,” Budenholzer said.

The Suns are also dealing with other injuries. Grayson Allen is expected to come back from concussion protocol, but Bol Bol (knee) and Royce O’Neale (ankle) are questionable.

Grizzlies Missing Morant

Memphis is in the same boat, dealing with injuries to key players like Ja Morant, who’s out with a shoulder sprain. Morant was spotted on the bench during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Thunder with his arm in a sling. That game ended in a brutal 130-106 defeat, and the Grizzlies clearly missed their star point guard.

They’re also without center Zach Edey, who’s in concussion protocol, making things even tougher on the road. This Arizona stop is part of a five-game trip, and Memphis is trying to figure out how to survive a brutal schedule where home games are few and far between.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins knows they’ve got work to do. “We’re playing in crowds, turning the ball over way too much, and our pace has slowed down,” Jenkins said. “We’ve got to clean those things up—fast.”

Things to Watch

1. Durant vs. the Grizzlies’ Defense
   Durant is going to see double teams and constant pressure. How well the Suns support him—both with scoring and spacing—could decide the game.
2. Who Steps Up?
   Both teams need someone outside their stars to make an impact. For the Suns, Grayson Allen’s return could be key. Memphis will be looking for Desmond Bane to deliver in Ja’s absence.
3. Turnover Trouble
   Memphis has been sloppy with the ball lately. If the Suns can force turnovers and turn them into points, they’ll have a major edge.

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What to Expect

This game is all about who handles adversity better. The Suns have the home-court advantage and the brilliance of Kevin Durant, which gives them an edge. But don’t sleep on the Grizzlies—they’ve got a scrappy mentality that keeps them in the fight, even when things aren’t going their way.

This one could go down to the wire. Buckle up for what should be an intense battle in the desert.