The Phoenix Suns beat the Chicago Bulls 127-121 on Wednesday to improve their record to 33-37. Coupled with a 135-131 loss by the Dallas Mavericks to the Indiana Pacers, the Suns moved to the No. 10 spot in the battle for play-in tournament positioning.
Phoenix and Dallas hold similar 33-37 cards, but the Suns won the season series (3-1), allowing Kevin Durant and Co. to take the momentary edge.
The victory was the second this season by the Suns against the Bulls. Devin Booker erupted for 41 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to lead the home team to the win. Phoenix is 2-0 in a decisive five-game home stand that could determine where they will be after the regular season ends.
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Phoenix Suns playoffs picture:
Updated Standings
After the games on Wednesday, here is where the Suns stand in the Western Conference:
Phoenix Suns playoffs picture:
Remaining Schedule
After beating the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls, sterner tests await the Phoenix Suns at home. They will host the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics in their next three games at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Suns’ schedule doesn’t get any easier after the three-game slate. They travel to Minnesota on Friday before returning home to take on the Houston Rockets two nights later.
In the race with Dallas for the No. 10 seed and final play-in tournament berth, the Suns' unenviable schedule could prove costly.
After hosting the Rockets to close out March, the Phoenix Suns begin their April with an Eastern Coast swing. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. The Suns return to The Valley for another challenging schedule which pits them against the Golden State Warriors, OKC Thunder and Sacramento Kings.
If the current play-in tournament positioning holds, the LA Clippers will face the Timberwolves for an outright playoff spot and the No. 7 seed. The loser faces the winner of the Suns-Kings showdown for the eighth seed in the playoffs.
Injuries to key players could derail the Suns' play-in tournament bid
Mason Plumlee (quad), Grayson Allen (foot) and Bradley Beal (hamstring) did not play against the Chicago Bulls. The Phoenix Suns have not given a specific time frame for their respective return. Beal could be out the longest as the former All-Star needs re-evaluation after one week.
The injuries to key contributors could be costly for the Suns' play-in tournament bid.
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