Weary Suns host a Magic side missing Banchero and Suggs

Something has to give in Phoenix. The Suns are 1-5 and play the second night of a back-to-back, while the Orlando Magic arrive at 2-5 without Paolo Banchero or Jalen Suggs. The market makes Phoenix only a 52% favorite, a sign it sees little to separate a tired team from a short-handed one.

The Suns' latest setback came on 4 November, a 132-119 home loss to Portland. Devin Booker scored 33, going 13 for 13 at the line, and Jalen Green added 22, but the Blazers won the second quarter 43-25 to lead 72-59 at the half. It was Portland's second win over Phoenix this season, after a 124-83 rout in the opener.

Orlando's trouble is mostly about who is missing. Banchero has sat out the last five games with a high ankle sprain and Suggs the last four with a right knee bone bruise, while Anthony Black has played in only four of seven. Sean Sweeney's side is also still learning a new system, and its most recent outing was a 103-94 loss to Washington.

Franz Wagner isn't panicking. "Once we get it down, I think we'll look really good," he said of the system. The Magic come in rested, with this game opening a four-game western road trip.

Which matters more here: Phoenix's tired legs or Orlando's missing starters?