Suns at Spurs
LaMarcus Aldridge has become accustomed to being the No. 2 scoring option for the San Antonio Spurs but occasionally reminds everybody that he remains one of the more potent offensive forces in the league. Aldridge aims to follow up his season-best 33-point scoring effort against Chicago with another stellar outing when San Antonio hosts the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Aldridge, who is averaging 17 points per game, was a sizzling 15-of-20 from the field and collected nine rebounds in the 119-100 victory over the Bulls on Christmas Day. "Pop is very picky on what is a good shot at times," Aldridge told reporters, referring to coach Gregg Popovich. "Of course, I have a little leeway, but it's tough for me because I always feel like I'm open even when a guy's guarding me. I'm trying not to be myself as much to take those tough shots. Try to mix in some good-to-great shots." Phoenix suffered a 131-115 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday for its fifth loss in the past six games. The Suns allowed an average of 118 points during the six-game stretch and gave up more than 100 points in 14 consecutive contests.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-22): The defensive woes have been a constant issue for a Phoenix team that often has less firepower and overall talent than the opposition. Phoenix gave up 107 points over the first three quarters of Monday's loss to the Rockets, and the outing marked the third time this season that the Suns gave up more than 130 points. "It's tough when you're giving up everything. Threes, layups, and it's really tough," shooting guard Eric Bledsoe said afterward. "They had 20-something points in the first half on transition points, so I don't think we were really guarding anybody."
ABOUT THE SPURS (25-6): Aldridge joined San Antonio as a free agent in the summer of 2015 fully expecting to be the top scoring option but small forward Kawhi Leonard made a rapid climb from a very good player to a superstar last season. Leonard again is playing superb with a 24.4 scoring average and four straight 20-point efforts, but when Aldridge steps up, the entire offense clicks at another level. "When a player goes off like LaMarcus did, it opens things up," Spurs center Pau Gasol said after the win over the Bulls. "It definitely creates an impact right away on the game."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs registered a 107-92 victory on Dec. 15 for their eighth consecutive victory over the Suns.
2. Phoenix rookie PF Dragan Bender recorded season highs of 11 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Houston.
3. San Antonio PG Tony Parker is just 7-of-23 shooting over his past two games.