Le Journal

Who: Phoenix Suns (25-17) @ Brooklyn Nets (12-28) When: 5:30pm Arizona Time Where: Barclays Center — New York, New York Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Yes Network Listen: KMVP 98.7 Today has the potential to be a huge day for the Phoenix Suns. After being out since November 8th, Jalen Green could make his return to the court tonight, a huge boost to the team’s offense. Green, a 20 point per game scorer for his career, has played just two games this year due to a right hamstring injury that he re-aggravated early in the season. Being traded to Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade, because of his offensive firepower and ball handling, he’s viewed as the team’s midseason acquisition. Whether Green plays or stays sidelined, this looks to be the easiest game the Suns have on their six-game road trip. The Nets are the only team not in the play-in or playoff standings they face on it, and are 12-28 and losers of six of their last seven games. With the two teams making a blockbuster trade three seasons ago to send Kevin Durant to the Suns, Brooklyn and Phoenix have recent history. Both were neither able to win, let alone reach an NBA Finals with the superstar, and since his departure, the squads are in transition periods. Brooklyn is rebuilding and compiling as many young players as possible, while Phoenix has retooled the roster around Devin Booker. Tonight is a contrast in styles of how to build a team after a superstar leaves. Projected Starting Lineups Injury Report Suns Devin Booker — QUESTIONABLE (Left Ankle Soreness) Jamaree Bouyea — AVAILABLE (Concussion Protocol) Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain) Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hamstring Strain) Nets Egor Demin — OUT (Left Plantar Fascia) Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Right Knee) Day’Ron Sharpe — OUT (Illness) Cam Thomas — OUT (Left Hamstring) What to Watch For If Jalen Green returns tonight, all eyes will be on him. In his only full game of the season, Green gave the Suns a lot to be excited about, scoring 29 points in 23 minutes, making six threes, and being a +30 when he was on the court. He scored the second-most points ever in a Suns debut and made the most threes in a player’s first game with the franchise. While he looks to be on a minutes restriction for his first few games, especially in his first game, Green should provide the team with an offensive spark to what is already a roster that is getting a lot of contributors from its guards. Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen are having career seasons, while Devin Booker is averaging at least 25 points per game for his eighth straight season. If Green doesn’t play, it’s important to monitor how Booker looks. He missed the team’s game against the Detroit Pistons last week after hurting his ankle in the previous contest. Booker returned to action on Saturday against the Knicks, scoring 27 points. With Phoenix playing in the first night of a back-to-back, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff manages his minutes. Keys to a Suns Win Turnovers. The Nets average the seventh-most turnovers per game this season. With young ball handlers like Egor Dëmin and Drake Powell, the Suns have an opportunity to utilize one of their strongest skillsets, which is generating steals. Phoenix is tied with the Pistons for the most steals per game this year at 10.5. If Phoenix can get ahead early and force Brooklyn’s young guards into pressure, they’ll be in a good position to win. It’s important for the Suns to come out with a lot of energy. Tonight is Brooklyn’s third game in four nights, and they had to travel from the Midwest after yesterday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. Phoenix could be in a position to take advantage of tired legs. Prediction The Suns have done a great job of taking advantage of lesser opponents this season. They haven’t lost to a team not currently in the play-in or playoff standings since October. Look for the Suns to take care of business without much disruption. Suns 111, Nets…

Is Grant Gustin BACK!?