For the first time since the NBA Finals, and really for the first time in the regular season in almost a year, the Phoenix Suns (26-7) look quite beatable.
They have lost two straight home games to top-4 teams in the West — losing 116-107 to the Golden State Warriors (27-6) on Christmas and then 114-113 to the surging Memphis Grizzlies (21-14 overall; 12-4 in their last 16) two days later.
The two games mark the first time the Suns have allowed 114+ points in consecutive games this season, a year in which the Suns are:
- 22-0 when allowing less than 110 points
- 4-7 when allowed 110 or more points
A staple of the Suns this season (and last) has been to rely on their defense and their closers to win more games than any other NBA team since July 2020.