Can a strong start by the Suns lead to a successful finish?

The Phoenix Suns have had a turbulent start to the season but currently hold a record of 8-4, leading the NBA’s Pacific Division by 1.5 games as they gear up to take on Miami on Monday.

This season, Monty Williams’ team has achieved wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors.

Phoenix is striving to exceed their previous success by breaking their franchise record of 64 wins and making it past the Western Conference Semifinals, where they fell to the Dallas Mavericks last year.

Arizona sportsbooks heavily favor the Suns.

As of Monday, Phoenix is ranked fourth in terms of odds to win the NBA title on BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona at +750. They trail behind Boston and Milwaukee, both with odds of +500, as well as the Warriors at +700.

Yengols.com examined the Suns’ performance over their past 10 seasons as well as their strongest starts since their establishment in 1968, in order to offer valuable NBA betting tips for the rest of the current season.

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12 consecutive games started by the Suns in the last decade

• 2022: 8-4 (Finish TBD)
• During the 2021 season, the team achieved a record of 9 wins and 3 losses, bringing their overall record to 64 wins and 18 losses. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals.
• The team finished the 2020 regular season with a record of 7 wins and 5 losses, and an overall record of 51 wins and 21 losses. Despite making it to the NBA Finals, they were unable to secure the championship.
• The team’s 2019 season concluded with 7 wins and 5 losses, giving them an overall record of 34 wins and 39 losses, ultimately causing them to miss the playoffs.
• In 2018, the team achieved two victories and suffered ten defeats, giving them a total record of nineteen wins and sixty-three losses, ultimately causing them to miss out on a playoff spot.
• The team finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 8 losses, contributing to an overall record of 21 wins and 61 losses, causing them to miss the playoffs.
• The team finished the 2016 season with a record of 24 wins and 58 losses, including 3 wins and 9 losses in their final games, which resulted in them missing out on the playoffs.
• The team’s 2015 season ended with a record of 7-5, contributing to an overall record of 23-59 and ultimately causing them to miss the playoffs.
• They missed the playoffs in 2014 with a record of 7-5 (39-43 overall).
• The team finished the 2013 season with a record of 48 wins and 32 losses, missing the playoffs after ending the year with 6 wins and 6 losses.

The Suns’ Strongest Beginnings in First 12 Games

• The team had a season record of 11-1 in 1980, finishing with an overall record of 57-25. They were ultimately eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals.
• The team finished the 2004 season with a record of 10 wins and 2 losses (62-20 overall) and reached the WC Finals, but unfortunately fell short in the end.
• The team finished the 2007 season with a record of 10 wins and 2 losses (55-27 overall) but were ultimately eliminated in the Wild Card First Round.
• The team ended the 2021 season with a record of 9 wins and 3 losses, bringing their overall record to 64 wins and 18 losses. They were eliminated in the WC Semifinals.
• The team finished the 2000 season with a record of 9 wins and 3 losses (51-31 overall) but was knocked out in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
• The team finished the 1997 season with a record of 9 wins and 3 losses (56-26 overall) and were knocked out in the First Round of the Western Conference playoffs.
• The team finished the 1994 season with a record of 9-3 (59-23 overall) and were knocked out in the Western Conference Semifinals.
• During the 1993 season, the team ended with a 9-3 record and an overall season record of 56-26. They were knocked out in the Western Conference Semifinals.
• The team had a 9-3 record in 1982 (53-29 overall) and was eliminated in the Western Conference First Round.
• 2022: 8-4 (Finish TBD)
• The team had a record of 8 wins and 4 losses in 2008, finishing the season with a total of 46 wins and 36 losses. Despite reaching the Western Conference Finals, they were unable to secure a victory.
• The team finished the 1999 season with 8 wins and 4 losses (53-29 overall) and was defeated in the WC Finals.
• In 1992, they had a record of 8 wins and 4 losses (62 wins and 20 losses overall) as they advanced to the NBA Finals but were ultimately defeated.
• The team’s 1990 season ended with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses (55-27 overall), and they were knocked out in the first round of the WC playoffs.
• In the 1984 season, the team finished with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses, ending the season with an overall record of 36-46. They were eliminated in the Wild Card First Round.
• The team concluded the 1978 season with a 50-32 record and reached the Western Conference Finals, finishing with an 8-4 record.

Comparing This Year’s Suns Team to Past Seasons

This season’s record of 8-4 ties for the 10th best start in franchise history for a 12-game opening stretch.

Although Devin Booker and his teammates have not achieved the same success as John MacLeod’s 1980-81 Suns team, they are currently in the running for a spot in the NBA Playoffs.

What’s even more impressive is that the Suns have managed to start 8-4 this year, even with guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet out due to injuries.

Paul has missed the team’s last two games because of a heel injury he suffered in their 100-88 loss to Philadelphia on Nov. 7. He has been watching from the sidelines as Phoenix defeated Minnesota 129-117 and lost to Orlando 114-97 in their most recent games.

The Suns may be without the 12-time NBA All-Star for their game against Miami on Monday.

Even without Paul in the lineup, the Suns have excelled this year, scoring an average of 115.5 points per game and matching Cleveland for the highest point differential in the league at 7.0.

What’s even more thrilling for Suns fans is that the team’s three NBA Finals appearances have all started with records of 8-4 or worse, suggesting a promising beginning for the team this season.

The franchise got off to a rough start in the 1991 playoffs, going 4-8 in their first 12 games. Despite this, they turned things around and finished the season with a strong 53-29 record, eventually making it to the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Suns have historically kicked off their NBA championship seasons with records of 7-5 (2020-21), 8-4 (1992-93), and 6-6 (1975-76), igniting hope among fans, Arizona sports betting apps, and players as Phoenix begins the majority of their 82-game regular season schedule.

The journey begins in Miami on Monday, continues to Phoenix, and ends with hosting the Warriors on ESPN on Wednesday night.

After that, the Suns will play six of their next eight games at home, taking on New York, the Lakers, Detroit, Utah, Chicago, and Houston.

The Suns’ upcoming series of games could be make or break for their season, as they have the opportunity to build on their strong start and push themselves into playoff contention as the new year approaches.