Turnover, defense judge Suns once again in ugly loss to Pistons

On By Littum

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The Phoenix Suns were looking to build on a win over Portland, get some rest and return to full strength for the final two of a three-game homestand against two sub .500 teams.

They instead lost Devin Booker to a groin injury and dropped a second straight game Saturday, 133-125, to the Detroit Pistons (12-17) after falling Thursday to the Pacers.

The Suns (14-13) were once again doomed by turnovers, committing 19 Saturday for 34 Detroit points two days after Indiana (13-15) scored 29 points off 16 Phoenix turnovers.

Kevin Durant scored a season-high 43 points, but he committed eight turnovers after having five turnovers Friday against Indiana. Bradley Beal finished with 26 points, while Tyus Jones added 19 on 7-of-8 shooting.

Here are three takeaways as the Suns look to bounce back Monday in Denver before facing the Nuggets again on Christmas. Phoenix is ​​now 11th in the West after sitting just sixth before Thursday’s game against the Pacers.

Injury update

Grayson Allen took a hit to the back of the head late from Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio, who caught him with an elbow in the third quarter as he scored on an offensive rebound.

Remaining on the floor and taking a minute or so to get up, Allen did not return to the game after heading to the locker room with 2:10 left in the third. The Suns could do without Allen on Monday.

Bol Bol did not play Saturday because of a left knee contusion suffered in practice, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. He’s only played in seven games this season, but the 7-footer is someone who was productive last season when he did play.

Then there’s Booker, who has already been ruled out for Monday’s game. Booker will be re-evaluated early next week.

So the Suns could be down three players just two days after being at full strength for Thursday’s game.

Defense, turnover dooms Suns, again

A team that shoots 57.7% from the field, goes 14-of-29 from 3 to score 125 points shouldn’t lose, but the Suns are a bad defensive team, especially against the 3.

Phoenix is ​​24th in defensive rating. Only Chicago, Portland, Brooklyn, New Orleans, Washington and Utah are worse. These teams all have losing records; Phoenix is ​​just one game over .500.

Detroit entered the game shooting 35.8% from 3, but they made six more 3s than their average in shooting 19-of-39 Saturday.

The Suns are now 26th in defending the 3 as far as percent after letting the Pistons light up at home.

Turnovers put their defense in bad positions, but the Suns have poor floor balance and don’t close well on 3s. The Suns felt like they forced harder 3s later in the game, but the Pistons shot them with equal confidence.

Budenholzer preaches individual 1-on-1 defense, but the Suns struggle with it, especially on the perimeter. When the Pistons got in the paint, they either finished with lob dunks or kickouts for 3s.

Cunningham closer

Being the top overall pick in the 2021 draft put the initial pressure on Cade Cunningham to play at a high level.

He had his share of setbacks on a bad team, some growing pains, but has also taken steps forward as a player trying to show he can be a point guard.

Cunningham showed and proved it Saturday in his 28-point, 13-assist performance, with the ability to not only dictate the game but also put away a playoff team that wouldn’t even make the play-in if the playoffs started today.

Crazy right?

Cunningham scored 13 of his 28 in the fourth game against Jones and even Durant. He put the game away with a 3 to put Detroit ahead, 130-123, with 32.9 seconds left.

Detroit is on track to return to respectability under JB Bickerstaff. Cunningham will have an impact on that and receive that All-Star nod when the time comes.

Do you have opinions about the current state of the sun? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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