Only a season away from winning 60+ games, and just two from an NBA Finals berth, the Phoenix Suns find themselves in a place of unexpected adversity. Amidst injuries, player dissatisfaction, and ownership upheaval, the Suns have persevered to the tune of a potential 7th seed, but that position feels fragile for a team sitting in the position with a record solidly at .500, and as many as six other teams on their heels, all separated by just a game or two.
The San Antonio Spurs on the other hand, feel like they’re doing their best (whether that’s their best to hang onto a bottom-five record depends on who you ask) in the face of much steeper odds (like, say, 14%) and a season of relative misery.