NBA: Suns hope to get back to winning ways against Kings

The Phoenix Suns have exceeded expectations through the first three-quarters of the season, and now they aim to maintain their strong form down the stretch.

After a four-day break, Phoenix returns to action Tuesday night against the struggling Sacramento Kings.

"We're into March now," Suns coach Jordan Ott said Monday. "These games mean more and more. This is a big week for us."

Following their trip to Sacramento, the Suns will return home for a tough week, hosting the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, and the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

Phoenix sits a solid eight games over .500 and seventh in the Western Conference, with 22 games remaining. That standing comes despite a recent slump in which the Suns dropped six of eight games, including back-to-back low-scoring efforts of 77 and 81 points without their top two players, Devin Booker (right hip) and Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand).

The team rebounded last Thursday when Royce O'Neale hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 at home. Grayson Allen scored 28 points, and Collin Gillespie added 21, each making six 3-pointers.

Booker, who has missed four straight games, is moving closer to a return.

"No setbacks, continual progress," Ott said. "He seems to be in a good spot."

Ott praised Booker's leadership as a key factor in Phoenix’s success this season.

"I will say our resilience and our overall toughness," Ott said. "That's led by our leader, his ability to lead every second he's in the building. Every second Book's here, we feel his presence."

The Suns will also look to complete a four-game season sweep of the Kings. Phoenix won 112-100 in Sacramento on Nov. 26 and later posted comfortable home wins by four and 27 points.

Meanwhile, Sacramento is slowly trying to recover from a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak, going 2-2 in their last four games. The Kings were routed 128-104 by the Lakers on Sunday to end a 2-3 road trip.

First-round pick Nique Clifford led Sacramento with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting, his second-highest scoring output this season.

"I'm just proud to see him continue to grow as a young player," Kings coach Doug Christie said. "He attacks the basket, shoots the 3, handles the ball, makes plays, and rebounds. I love that."

Clifford has scored in double digits in four straight games, including the past two starts, and is expected to see more minutes as the Kings continue rebuilding.

The Kings also face uncertainty with Keegan Murray, who reinjured the same ankle that sidelined him for 20 games earlier this season. Murray will miss his third straight game Tuesday.

Clifford reflected on the surreal experience of starting a game against LeBron James, who was just feet away.

"It's crazy," Clifford said. "You grow up watching him. LeBron was in the league before I was born, so to play against him now and see him still doing what he does at that age is super impressive. To be on the same floor, I feel like I belong, but it's pretty dope."

– Field Level Media/Reuters