PLAYOFF FORECAST

Ricky Rubio is a fine defender and a great passer but not a person thought Utah's great defense or inconsistent offense would be any worse when it was clear they were moving on from Ricky Rubio. It is one thing to shoot 31% from three point range. That is bad, but when it comes on wide open looks that average guards would make 42% of the time it's even worse. The Suns did improve after dumping Josh Jackson. They are not playoff contenders based on our latest simulations.

REGULAR SEASON RECAP

Their 19 regular season wins did not meet expectations. It was -3.4 below what oddsmakers' money line projected. The season went much worse than expected. They came up short at home and on the road. They went 7-34 on the road and were expected to win 8.6. They won 12 at home and were expected to win 13.8.

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STATISTICAL STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

SHOOTING (WEAKNESS): This is a below average shooting team with a true FG% of 55.2% (#21 in League). The team has improved to 58.3% in their last 7 games. They average 107.5 pts per game vs an expected average (based on pre-game odds) of 107.8. On the road they average 107.4 (106.8 expected), and at home 107.6 ppg (108.9 expected).

DEFENSE (WEAKNESS): They are not a good defensive team allowing opponents to shoot 58.2 true FG% (#29 in League). They allow 116.8 pts per game vs an expected value of 115.4. They are allowing 119.8 (116.5 expected) on the road, and at home 113.9 ppg (114.2 expected).

REBOUNDING (WEAKNESS): They are outrebounded by opponents by 6.8 per game (#30 in league).

TURNOVERS (AVERAGE): Their turnover margin is zero (#13 in league).

TEAM STATS AND AGAINST THE SPREAD GAMELOG

Below is a recap of all 82 regular games. Anyone who backed the Suns in all of their games would have earned a +38 unit profit at a 100 per game risk. Against the spread, they have lost -1460 units risking 110 to win 100 (36-46 ATS). They are down against the spread at home and on the road.