With seven losses in their last eight games, the Phoenix Suns don’t have much to smile about these days.
The Suns take the court in search of a much-needed victory Monday when they continue their three-game road trip with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Not only is Phoenix 1-7 in its last eight games, the problems in the desert run deeper. The Suns are 3-10 since Dec. 7 and just 7-17 since beginning their season with a sparkling 8-1 record.
Perhaps the most concerning element is that the Suns have stayed relatively healthy during the team’s rough stretch. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have all been on the court in recent weeks, but positive results have not materialized for the trio.
“We’re definitely pissed off. We’re not happy about it,” Beal said. “It’s a good thing, though. You don’t (see) guys smiling and happy … after four (straight) losses.”
Phoenix dropped a 126-108 decision to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, when Durant and Booker combined for 45 points, 16 assists and 15 rebounds. Beal struggled to the tune of eight points on 3-of-12 shooting.
The game was tied at halftime before the Suns allowed 70 second-half points. The Pacers had an easy time moving the ball against the Phoenix defense, as Indiana finished with 35 assists and only eight turnovers.
“The vibes are low, man. We just have to keep fighting,” Booker said. “It’s a blessing to even be in this position, but our output is super ugly right now. We continue to build. Hopefully later in the season, these moments right here are out the way, got past them, but right now, we’re in the thick of it.”
Booker hopes the team can get untracked against the Sixers, who have started to resurrect their season. Philadelphia opened 3-14 amid a rash of injuries before surging with 11 wins in its last 16 games.
The team is coming off a 4-2 road trip that ended Saturday with a 123-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Joel Embiid posted 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in 18 points and seven assists.
The Sixers shot 51.2 percent from the floor and knocked down 15 3-pointers to bounce back from an ugly 139-105 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
“I thought we responded,” said the Sixers’ Paul George, who finished with 17 points and six assists. “We made some baskets of our own and weathered that quick start by them. (We) just got our defense settled in.”
George enters with at least three 3-pointers in three straight games. That’s a good sign for the veteran forward, while a positive sign for Embiid is that he has attempted double-digit free throws in four straight contests. Maxey has 12 consecutive games with multiple 3-pointers.
“The injuries just haven’t been on our side, but I think we’re gelling,” George said. “We’re starting to enjoy each other out on the floor. The stuff off the court is starting to trickle on the court, and that’s a great sign.”
Phoenix won the first meeting between the teams this season, posting a 118-116 home win on Nov. 4 as Durant made the decisive bucket with 24 seconds left.
