Suns at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs take aim at their initial four-game winning streak of the season when they host the Phoenix Suns on Friday. One of the wins during the streak came Monday in Phoenix - a 120-118 decision - and the latest was a 121-117 road win in New Orleans during Zion Williamson's NBA debut for the Pelicans on Wednesday.
San Antonio won by an average of 3.7 points during its three-game winning streak and is entering a stretch in which four of the next five are at home. Building on the current success is critical for the Spurs, as the annual Rodeo Road Trip looms with eight straight away games, beginning Feb. 3. Phoenix lost its last two games and Wednesday's contest was ugly as it suffered a 112-87 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Suns are beginning a stretch in which three straight games and six of seven are on the road.
TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS Arizona, FS Southwest
ABOUT THE SUNS (18-26): Star shooting guard Devin Booker had a rare off-night with 16 points against the Pacers after tallying 20 or more in 12 of 13 games, including 10 outings of 30 or more. He wasn't the lone subpar performer as coach Monty Williams eyed the stat sheet and said, "Obviously, not a great output of Suns' basketball, the way we want to play, and we've got to figure it out." Booker excelled against the Spurs on Monday, when he scored 37 points on 13-of-23 shooting, and center Deandre Ayton also played well with 25 points and 12 rebounds.
ABOUT THE SPURS (20-23): Guards Derrick White (season-best 25 points) and Bryn Forbes (24) starred in Monday's game with the Suns and the duo combined to make 12-of-16 3-point attempts with Forbes knocking down a career-best eight. The two combined for just 23 points against the Pelicans - White had 12 - as power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was in the starring role with 32 points and 14 rebounds. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points to reach at least 20 for the 15th time in 16 games, the exception coming Monday when he had 18 against the Suns.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs are 2-0 versus the Suns this season and won 30 of the past 36 meetings.
2. San Antonio SF Rudy Gay (illness) was scoreless in nine minutes against the Pelicans in his return from a three-game absence.
3. Phoenix PF-C Aron Baynes (hip) hopes to return after a two-game absence.