Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott highlighted his team’s composure following a 106-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
“Yeah, we were able to just kind of hold our composure… Bouyea’s ability to come back in the game and make a couple plays and Grayson just his resilience after a tough turnover… we were just able to scrap one out somehow,” Ott said after the win at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Ott emphasized the Suns’ dominance in the paint, noting a season-high 72 points there. “After the Miami game, we definitely talked about our inability to get into the paint… Mark’s presence, you could feel it from the jump… his gifts on both ends, screening, rebounding, protecting the rim… he imprinted his offensive game from the jump,” he said.
The coach also addressed the physicality and technical fouls late in the game. “It’s incredibly hard to officiate… two teams scrapping… we get to a certain point and frustration comes from our team this year… we have to do better keeping our composure, especially in the fourth quarter,” Ott explained.
On Dillon Brooks’ near-flagrant situation, Ott praised his composure. “He held his composure and that’s not easy to do… he easily could have overstepped… he found a way to pick himself back up off the floor… turning it into a positive tonight,” Ott said.
The Suns’ offensive adjustments also drew Ott’s attention. “We knew they would switch… we got to involve Mark more… it’s not just on him, it’s on us to get him the ball and him to give feedback… having those open lines of communication is what we’re building towards,” he said.
Ott discussed defensive improvements, noting 20 Nets turnovers. “Our pressure was on point… that’s just part of who we are… our DNA… we need to bring that pressure across all lineups every night,” he said.
Addressing in-game instructions, Ott described his guidance to Grayson Allen. “I said, ‘Do not run to the corner anymore. Go get the ball.’ He’s a team player… for him to drive in the deciding possession just shows what kind of player he is,” Ott explained.
Despite missing Devin Booker and Jalen Green, Ott credited the team’s effort. “We’ve been working to get Mark involved in the paint, especially against a switching defense… tonight we absolutely needed his paint presence,” he said.
The Suns led 91-81 midway through the fourth, but the Nets rallied before Mark Williams and Grayson Allen helped close out the win. Dillon Brooks’ late free throws gave Phoenix the lead, and the Suns held on amid a scuffle involving technicals for multiple players.
