Playoff hopefuls the Phoenix Suns will continue their pursuit of a place in the postseason when they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Footprint Centre on Saturday.
The away side, on the other hand, recently became the first team to secure a playoff spot but will make the journey this weekend in unfamiliar territory, having lost three games on the bounce for only the second time this campaign.
Match preview
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Off the back of a disappointing playoff first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last time out, many would have expected the Phoenix Suns to come out roaring this term with a point to prove, but it is safe to say they have underwhelmed, irrespective of whatever happens in the final knockings of the regular season.
Mike Budenholzer's men did fly out of the blocks with a 9-2 record after their first 11 matches but are currently on course for only a play-in spot thanks to their 127-121 triumph over the Chicago Bulls last time out.
The Suns took care of business over the opening three quarters to head into the final 12 minutes with a commanding 15-point advantage which could only be cut down by nine despite the Bulls' late surge.
Unsurprisingly, usual suspects Devin Booker and Kevin Durant proved to be the point of difference once again, tallying a combined 67 points, eight rebounds and 15 assists on 22-41 shooting from the field.
Tenth in the Western Conference with a 33-37 record, the 2021 NBA finalists have little margin for error as they look to ward off the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs and avoid missing out on the playoffs.
Taking on the Eastern Conference leaders in the first of three straight home matches against cross-conference opponents, Saturday's hosts have the perfect opportunity to send a statement of intent before the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics come to town.
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Alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cleveland Cavaliers have established themselves as the team to beat so far, but recent evidence suggests that some chinks in the armour might be beginning to appear.
After seeing their 16-game winning run come to an end against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Kenny Atkinson's men have since been beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers and most recently the Sacramento Kings following Thursday's 123-119 defeat at Golden 1 Center.
Up by nine points after the opening two quarters, the Cavaliers looked set to snap a two-game losing streak and get themselves back to winning ways before a disastrous second-half display saw them usurped.
However, it was not for a lack of trying from All-Star duo Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell, who notched 31 and 26 points respectively, accounting for just under half of their team's 119-point tally in California.
While they are still well clear of the Boston Celtics at the top of the East, the Cavaliers will be wary of letting standards slip before playoff action commences, given that this season represents arguably their best chance of emerging champions for the first time since 2016.
Saturday's trip to Arizona is the third instalment of a five-game road trip for the visitors, after which they will head to Delta Center and Moda Center to face off against the Utah Jazz and the Trail Blazers respectively.
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Team News
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Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal (hamstring) is unavailable for selection but will be re-evaluated over the coming days ahead of a potential return to action.
Mason Plumlee (left quadriceps strain) and Grayson Allen (foot) are major doubts for this one after both sitting out the home side's victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Darius Garland was given a rest in the Cavaliers' most recent outing, but the point guard will be expected to make his comeback in this weekend's affair.
This should see Dean Wade drop back to the substitutes' bench following a rare start for the 28-year-old against the Sacramento Kings last time out.
Phoenix Suns possible starting five:
Booker, Dunn; Gillespie, Durant; Richards
Cleveland Cavaliers possible starting five:
Garland, Mitchell; Strus, Mobley; Allen
We say: Cavaliers to win by 5+ points
The Cavaliers have not lost four matches in a row this season and will be keen to arrest their mini slump as soon as possible.
We are backing them to come out on top at the close of proceedings on Saturday.
Adepoju Marvellous
