Phoenix @ Golden State preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 10, 2019 ) Phoenix 115, Golden State 111

The Golden State Warriors rebounded from a pair of embarrassing losses to begin the season by outlasting the New Orleans Pelicans 134-123 on Monday, but not all the issues are solved. The Warriors will try to fill more cracks in the game plan when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Golden State was blown out by the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first two games by a total of 47 points and at least figured some things out on the offensive end while knocking off the Pelicans. "We're still not a very good team," Warriors forward Draymond Green, who recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, told reporters after the victory. "We have a lot of room for improvement. Just because we won one game doesn't mean we don't suck right now. We still have a lot of improvement to do." Golden State will get a look on Wednesday at a scrappy Suns team that split its first four games, with each of the two losses coming by a single point. "They play hard for one thing," Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters of the Suns after watching his team squeeze out a 96-95 win on Monday. "I thought they were more physical with us defensively. They took us out of our comfort zone. They're just a competitive group, and it's a credit to (Phoenix coach) Monty (Williams) and credit to the players on their team. That's why they've played as well as they have. They're a good team."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE SUNS (2-2): Shooting guard Devin Booker is leading a more balanced attack for Phoenix with an average of 22.8 points but is one of seven players averaging in double figures for the emerging club. Small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is pouring in 20.5 points and providing a defensive presence on the perimeter while veteran point guard Ricky Rubio (knee) returned to the lineup on Monday after a one-game absence and nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Adding an inside-outside look is power forward Frank Kaminsky, who is averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds off the bench.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (1-2): Former MVP Stephen Curry led the way with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 11 assists on Monday and embraced the opportunity to lead a young team. "It's not only do you have to perform every night, you got to teach," Curry told reporters. "There are a lot of young guys that are hungry to learn, hungry to perform, take advantage of their opportunities, but there's a process to it. You got to be aware of everything but also be at the top of our game every single night. We understand that. I think we accept that challenge and that responsibility." Rookie guard Jordan Poole scored 13 points in his first start on Monday while Damion Lee came off the bench and added a career-high 23 points in 28 minutes.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SG Alec Burks (ankle) missed each of the first three games and is day-to-day.

2. Suns C Aron Baynes went 3-of-3 from 3-point range on Monday.

3. Phoenix snapped an 18-game losing streak in the series with a 115-111 win at Golden State on March 10.

PREDICTION: Suns 119, Warriors 116