“Suns vs. Warriors Clash: Both Teams Eye Reinforcements for Saturday’s Showdown”
Two teams hope to strengthen their fan bases on Saturday night when the Phoenix Suns visit the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.Both teams have won three in a row, but both have even more reason for optimism because they could receive reinforcements for their clubs and #039; the fourth and final game of the regular season.Phoenix won the first three games, but only by a total of 15 points against Sunsand#039; Pink won with a total of 72 points. The Suns hope to have solved their depth problem by adding Royce Oand#039;Neale and David Roddy from the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies.Interesting that the Warriors might know Oand#039;Neale and Roddy better than the Suns.
Oand#039;Neale scored 15 points, all on 3-pointers, in the Warriors’ win Monday in Brooklyn, while Roddy had 12 and 16 points in two meetings with Golden State this season.Even before he saw both in a Suns uniform, Phoenix coach Frank Vogel credited team owner Mat Ishbia for considering the team’s needs.andquot;I love that Mat Ishbia and#039;is willing to spend even more and do everything he can to give us the best chance to win an NBA championship,andquot; Vogel said. andquot;I mean heand#039;s just all-in.andquot;Neither rookie was allowed to play as the Suns got just 25 points from their reserves in a 129-115 home win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Kevin Durant (31) and Bradley Beal (30) combined for 61 points, while Devin Booker rested with a sore hip.Booker, who averaged 29.7 points in three wins over Golden State, is listed as day-to-day and could return against the Warriors.
Golden State ended its five-game road trip with a 131-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The Warriors won their third straight despite resting Klay Thompson.Thompson, who had 18 points in yesterday’s win over Philadelphia, is expected to return against the Suns. Gary Payton II, who missed the last 16 games with a hamstring strain, could also return.
The Warriors also got Moses Moody back from a calf injury suffered during the 4-1 road trip and are boosted by Chris Pauland#039; recovery from a fracture of the left arm. The veteran is expected back shortly after the all-star break.In the absence of Payton, Golden State banked Paul and sometimes Moody and Thompson, Lester Quinones and Gui Santos to make invaluable contributions.Quinones, who scored just 27 points earlier this season, had 10, 17 and 13 points along the way.
Meanwhile, freshman Santos, who played even less (35 total minutes), played 21 minutes against Indiana and scored a season-high 13 points.Santos said he is learning to play with superstar Stephen Curry, who hit 11 3-pointers against the Pacers.andquot;Iand#039;ever want to open him,andquot; said the Brazilian after the Indianapolis victory. andquot;He has a kind of gravitas (captured). Where he is, everyone is looking at him, “Don’t let him shoot. and#039; So when I put the screen on and everyone goes to him, I’m completely open. Today I did two (3 pointers) and it felt good..
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