Game Recap: Suns’ offense can’t find a rhythm, falls to Magic 109-99

On By Littum

The Phoenix Suns could never get into a rhythm on offense tonight, leading to a 109-99 loss to the Orlando Magic. Not surprisingly, the team continues to struggle on offense without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, lacking efficiency and consistent scoring outside of Devin Booker.

The Suns are now 9-6 on the year and have lost four straight after starting the season 9-2. It is another rough loss after losing courage Minnesota Timberwolves after Julius Randle traveled and the refs missed it to make a buzzer-beating three.

Key performers

  • Tyus Jones — 18 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds
  • Devin Booker — 17 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
  • Oso Ighodaro – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Franz Wagner – 32 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds
  • Goga Bitadze — 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist

Game Flow

First half

Despite the Suns coming hot with their city jerseys honoring the 30th anniversary of 1995 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Orlando jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but Phoenix soon followed with Tyus Jones and Devin Booker going on a 12-4 run to give Valley its first lead of the game. Jones in particular was on a heater in the first and scored 11 points in the quarter.

At the end of one, Orlando led the valley 26-22. Phoenix shot just 7/21, while the Magic went 11/20 from the field.

Phoenix’s offense was stagnant to start the second, but in his first start of his young NBA career, Oso Ighodaro began to give Valley’s scoring attack some light as the quarter wore on. He had a huge smack that seemed to ignite the Phoenix crowd.

Despite the rookie’s exciting play, the Magic’s lead reached double digits for the first time with 6:02 left in the second after a Franz Wagner three made it 45-34 and led to a Mike Budenholzer timeout.

The timeout didn’t help cut the deficit. Orlando’s defense and paint scoring led them to a 64-48 lead to end the half.

Second half

The Suns struggled to cut into the Magic lead early in the second half. When Grayson Allen came in and made a few shots, the offense started to come alive, but they weren’t able to get anything going. Every time the Suns made a pair of baskets, Orlando had an answer. Their lack of offensive firepower, with both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out of the lineup, continued to show. However, Ryan Dunn had this amazing slam!

At the end of three, the Magic were up 84-68.

The Suns cut the lead to 13, but Orlando remained calm and extended their lead to 19. There was an imaginary wall over the Magic’s double-digit lead. No matter what Phoenix did, they couldn’t cut into it effectively.

Orlando began to get sloppy with the ball and with less than five minutes remaining, Valley cut the lead to ten. Devin Booker’s tough three over Jonathan Isaac eventually cut the lead to single digits. Suddenly, the Valley had life, but it didn’t last long, and the Magic took care of business late, giving them the 109-99 victory. Phoenix has now lost four in a row in the absence of both Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant.

Next

Phoenix will host New York Knicks on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Arizona time on ESPN before having a six-day break in their schedule.