Sure, without Devin Booker and T.J. Warren, two players who average 40% of the offense, the Phoenix Suns very nearly beat the West-leading Los Angeles Clippers a week ago with a balanced attack of seven different players scoring in double figures.
And with Warren back, but still without Booker, the Suns went on TNT and beat the streaking Dallas Mavericks on Thursday as Warren re-found his rhythm to put up a season-high 30 points.
Over the six games before Booker’s return to the lineup, coinciding with rookie De’Anthony Melton joining the regular rotation, the Suns had started playing defense (20th overall) but couldn’t put the ball in the hoop often enough and still lost five of those six.