<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2bdPE0_0w6Fonr400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bdPE0_0w6Fonr400" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) catches a pass against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images </figcaption></figure><p> PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are just over a week away from the much anticipated 2024-25 regular season opener. </p><p> Until then, preseason play will suffice - and fans were treated to a pleasantly surprising viewing experience spearheaded by a rotation that was solely represented by projected bench players against the starting unit of the Denver Nuggets. </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> The Suns battled the entire game nonetheless and eventually came out on top by a score of 118-114 after outscoring the Nuggets in 67-54 fashion in the second half. </p><p> Three takeaways from this unexpected comeback ahead of the preseason finale on Thursday: </p><h2> Ryan Dunn Continues to Shine </h2><p> The 28th pick in the 2024 NBA draft came in as a prospect that was perceived as tale of two sides of the ball. </p><p> The former University of Virginia forward was widely lauded as one of the premier defenders of the draft - if not the best. He was seen as a phenomenal athlete with great instincts along with possessing versatility to play in multiple spots. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Ryan Dunn made 6 threes tonight in the Suns preseason game against the Nuggets. <br><br> Dunn only made 7 threes TOTAL in 34 games for Virginia last season. <a href="https://t.co/EEgBbi8uon" rel="nofollow"> pic.twitter.com/EEgBbi8uon </a></p> — Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/dan_olinger/status/1845659360782950852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow"> October 14, 2024 </a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p> The jump shot was a concern in lieu of the stout defense - he shot just 23.5% in two years of college. </p><p> Some - including this site - have pointed out that Dunn's shooting mechanics have been consistently sound, even throughout college - and that he could become a threat as a floor-spacer with lots of work. </p><p> That work has seemingly paid dividends thus far, as Dunn has shot an absurd 12-27 (44.4%) from behind the arc in four games while simultaneously making a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball - whether it shows up on the stat sheet or not. </p><p> Sure, four games is a small sample. But the rookie standout looks confident, poised, and ready to make a consistent impact for a championship hopeful. </p><h2> Three-Point Barrage Continues </h2><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> A game after shooting an abysmal 10-44 from three-point range on Friday against the Detroit Pistons, they rebounded in a major way by going 23-51 (45.1%). </p><p> Outside of Dunn, the remainder of the starting five were connecting on all cylinders as well. Royce O'Neale went 3-for-6 from deep, Bol Bol went 4-for-6, and Monte Morris went 4-for-7. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> The Suns just took 50 threes, which was 55% of their shot distribution. <br><br> I have ascended to heaven. Mazzulla Ball has influenced the Valley and it is beautiful. </p> — Shane Young (@YoungNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/YoungNBA/status/1845657626002014363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow"> October 14, 2024 </a></blockquote><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p> The most important things to take out of this showing were the continued emphasis on getting up as many looks from deep as possible - the analytics simply back it up in terms of being the most efficient offense, and the Suns' plethora of shooting talent can arguably only be maximized under this arrangement. </p><p> The other factor that is crucially important is players such as Morris and Bol look ready to contribute on a nightly basis for this team - that couldn't be any further from what the depth was this time last year. </p><p> Mike Budenholzer has a bench full of players in which he knows exactly what he will get in a general sense - even with shooting variance included. This team simply looks like one that has found new life after making a few simple moves. </p><h2> Defense Answers Call When Needed </h2><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> The Suns' defense looked a bit porous in the first half of action, ceding 60 points in 24 minutes of action - and allowing Nikola Jokic/Michael Porter Jr. to have their way. </p><p> The third quarter is truly where the defense made their mark. The rim protection looked fantastic - to the point of forcing five misses in the lane during the quarter of action and largely neutralizing Jokic after a great first half showing. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="da"> Defense ➡️ Offense <a href="https://t.co/D5ttxDZffj" rel="nofollow"> pic.twitter.com/D5ttxDZffj </a></p> — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1845633486775878142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow"> October 14, 2024 </a></blockquote><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p> Denver did finish the period hitting a fair 8-of-18 from the floor - but the timely stops and neutralization of the top-end talent were vital in regaining a grip of the contest (Russell Westbrook lead Denver with three buckets in the quarter). </p><p> Dunn, Ighodaro, O'Neale - and even Collin Gilleslpie made their marks on the defensive side of the ball. This could once again be a chippy unit that can overachieve in the regular season. </p><p> The main difference is the addition of better athletes and more youth - which makes them all the more dangerous. </p><p> The Suns will close out the preseason on Thursday night at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. </p><br><p> This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/suns as <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/suns/analysis/takeaways-phoenix-suns-preseason-victory-denver-nuggets?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"> Takeaways From Suns' Preseason Victory vs. Nuggets </a> . </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate></div></body>

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Takeaways From Suns' Preseason Victory vs. Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns' reserves put on a showcase in Sunday night's victory - and gave fans much to be enthused about.

Takeaways From Suns' Preseason Victory vs. Nuggets

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