The Phoenix Suns have started fast under new coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Suns have won their last four games and five of six overall entering Monday’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers have dropped four of five to open the season while playing without stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, both out with knee injuries.
Phoenix had an up-and-down performance on Saturday when it recorded a 103-97 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.
The Suns trailed by four points at halftime, outscored Portland 44-18 in the third quarter and led by 26 early in the fourth quarter before the Trail Blazers mounted an electric comeback.
Phoenix was 9 of 18 from the 3-point line in the third quarter, while Portland was 1 of 11.
“Yeah, the defense was good,” Budenholzer said. “I thought we were playing in a great rhythm offensively, kind of getting to everything, everybody was participating, allowed us to get great separation from them.
“We got to learn to play for 48 minutes,” the coach continued. “We’re not there, but I’m sure nobody is, so it’s good to put together stretches like the third quarter. We got to keep building on that.”
Devin Booker had 28 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the victory. Kevin Durant scored 21 points.
Grayson Allen contributed 18 points and made four 3-pointers off the bench.
“It was great for Grayson to have a night like he did,” Budenholzer said. “I think there was a little bit of pop defensively, the guys found him, the ball found him and he’s a great shooter. He just gives us a ton and he’s been through a little bit, but he’s going to be great for us.”
The 76ers are slipping behind as they wait for Embiid and George to get healthy.
Philadelphia lost a 124-107 home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Tyrese Maxey had 23 points on a night the 76ers were outrebounded 52-33.
Embiid made noise after the game by shouting at a reporter in the locker room and eventually shoving him.
The target was Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who recently questioned Embiid’s professionalism and ability to stay in shape. He also drew Embiid’s ire for mentioning his son and late brother, both named Arthur.
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to … live with the consequences,” Embiid said to Hayes.
Embiid is still bothered by the left knee that he had surgery on Feb. 6. He said he is doing everything he can to get back on the court and is upset with people who hint otherwise.
“Everybody has been on the same page,” Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, said of his recovery plan. “If your body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing (sit out). I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice; I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I have broken fingers. I still came back.
“When I see people say, âHe doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that.”
Meanwhile, George said he is close to making his Philadelphia debut. He signed a four-year, $212 million contract in free agency but suffered a bone bruise in the preseason. ESPN reported Sunday night that the nine-time All-Star forward would play against Phoenix “barring any setbacks.”
“I had a really good two days of finally being on court, practicing and running hard, being in live action,” George said. “The knee up to this point feels really good.”
The teams split their two meetings last season with the home team winning each time.
