Both the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors had less than impressive starts to their respective seasons, but both have been playing winning basketball as of late, setting up a meeting of peaking teams at Oracle Arena Monday night.
The Suns (12-15) come into the game winner’s of four of their last five, while the Warriors (10-14) are taken four of their last six, including a victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday evening. The suns have taken the last seven meetings with the W’s though, including a 102-91 victory back on Jan 2. in Phoenix.
Coach Jackson has a very similar team to his own to prepare for, a team that can get up and down but also has a good defensive mentality, but has something the Suns don’t in Monta Ellis, who comes in averaging 22 points and five assists over his last 10 games.
Rookie Klay Thompson has been stepping up lately in more minutes, dropping 33 in his last two games combined. And along with Stpehen Curry, Brandon Rush and Dorell Wright, the W’s have a litany of sharp shooters that are the best 3-point assassins at Oracle, leading the NBA at 39.2% in 3-point percentage at home.
They’ll likely need a few this evening to deal with Steve Nash, Channing Frye and Co.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and NBA TV.
For more on the W’s, head over to Golden State on Mind.