Will Phoenix Suns Heat Up to Make Playoffs?

FACT:

The Phoenix Suns have 10 games remaining in the 08-09 NBA season.

They are currently 3.5 games behind the eighth place Dallas Mavericks.

QUESTION:

Can the Phoenix Suns (who just snapped a six game win streak) heat up once again and make a run for the playoffs?

Hmm...Lets take a look.

Comparing Schedules:

Phoenix Suns - Four Home games, Six Away games.

Utah Jazz (1-A), Sacramento (2,1-H,1-A), Houston Rockets (1-H), Dallas Mavericks (1-A), New Orleans Hornets (1-A), Memphis Grizzlies (2,1-H,1-A), Minnesota Timberwolves (1-A), Golden State Warriors (1-H).

Dallas Mavericks - Seven Home games, Four Away games.

Denver Nuggets (1-H), Cleveland Cavaliers (1-A), Minnesota Timberwolves (2,1-H,1-A), Miami Heat (1-H), Memphis Grizzlies (1-A), Phoenix Suns (1-H), Utah Jazz (1-H), New Orleans Hornets (2,1-H,1-A), Houston Rockets (1-H).

Analysis:

Even though the Suns have more Away games than Home games, their schedule consists of playing only three out of the remaining 10 games against teams over .500.

The Mavericks have a pretty difficult schedule, playing eight of their last 11 games against teams over .500, including facing the Cavaliers in Cleveland where they have a record of 33-1.

Breaking down the Mavericks schedule

Denver Nuggets- 3/27- Mavericks are 0-3 against the Nuggets this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers- 3/29- Mavericks are 0-1 against the Cavaliers this season.

Miami Heat- 4/1- Mavericks are 1-0 against the Heat this season

Phoenix Suns- 4/5- Mavericks are 2-1 against the Suns this season.

Utah Jazz- 4/8- Mavericks are 1-2 against the Jazz this season.

New Orleans Hornets- 4/10 & 4/12- Mavericks are 0-2 against the Hornets this season.

Houston Rockets- 4/15- Mavericks are 1-2 against the Rockets this season.

Dallas Mavericks season total record against these seven teams: 5-11 (.454)

Prediction:

If the Suns want to make the playoffs this season, they need the Dallas Mavericks to lose a MINIMUM of four or more games out of their remaining eleven. Taking a look at the Mavericks record against the six teams above, it is evident that this is a quite possible outcome.

Downfall:

Do the Suns have it in them to win at least eight of their last ten games of the season?

Final Statement:

The Suns face up against the Mavericks on April 5th in Dallas. They NEED to win this game if they want any chance in making the playoffs this season.

Their roster is healthy, Shaq and Grant Hill look better than ever, Nash and J-Rich are heating up....all signs point to a tremendous battle for the eighth seed.

One last question....Suns fans....do YOU believe in your team?