Phoenix is holding on to the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.
Who: Phoenix Suns (33-37) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-13)
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: PHX Arena — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV / Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7 / S: KSUNESPN RadioESPN Radio/SiriusXM
Donovan Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Phoenix to face the surging Suns, who have won back-to-back games.
The Suns have won back-to-back games for the first time since January 22-27, when they won three straight. Phoenix is locked in for the final Play-In spot in the West but needs to win in order to create separation from the Dallas Mavericks.
Tonight’s test will be the biggest of the Suns’ remaining 12 games, which includes a gauntlet that will test them like no other team. The Cavs have been the best team for all of the regular season but they have struggled, losing three consecutive games.
The next 10 games for the Phoenix Suns… pic.twitter.com/zoolrsWObk
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) March 21, 2025
When the Suns faced the Cavs in Cleveland on January 20, they were annihilated by the Cavs at the 3-point line. Cleveland made five second-quarter triples and finished with 19. Mitchell, who is leading his team at 24.1 points per game, had 33 points in the W.
We’ll have game coverage tonight in our open thread, on @BrightSideSun and @TrevorMBooth on X.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Bradley Beal — OUT (Left Hamstring
- Mason Plumlee — OUT (Left Quadriceps; Strain)
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Left Foot; Strain)
Cavs
- No injuries to report
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
The Suns have a lot to play for. Phoenix has not won three straight since late January and will need to compile a strong finish to its season.
The Cavs have led the East for the entirety of the regular season. At this point, Cleveland is setting itself up for a playoff run. The last time these teams played, the Cavaliers looked like they were the best team in the NBA. Phoenix, meanwhile, was in the middle of some success, having won five of six.
The Cavaliers have proven to be dangerous with their offense. They have the No. 1 ranked scoring offense at 122.4 points per game. Cleveland also has the No. 2 average score margin at +10.4. Darius Garland is a difficult guard for Phoenix. He is someone who will be able to find ways for his teammates to flourish. Expect him to be a difficult player and challenge for the Suns.
Without Bradley Beal, KD and Book must have big offensive nights. The Cavs’ defense is terrific at defending the rim, so the Suns will have to rely on their perimeter players to make shots and stay in this game.
Key to a Suns Win
I’m not predicting a blowout since the Suns have been looking more in sync, but I don’t expect this game to be particularly close. Cleveland’s backcourt is a handful and I’m not sure that Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro can withstand boxing out Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley all night.
Mike Budenholzer needs to put his guys through the wringer to win. Box out, box out, box out, and cut down that rebounding total for the Cavs to limit second-chance opportunities, assuming they don’t score the first time around.
Prediction
The Suns’ remaining schedule is a doozy. I don’t believe this game will rattle the Suns, especially because they have so much to prove with not a lot of belief from many.
But, there’s a reason why the Cavs have been so good. They will be too much for the Suns to overcome today.
Cavaliers 115, Suns 111
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