Collin Gillespie keeps rolling as Phoenix secures NBA Cup Wild Card

Collin Gillespie keeps rolling as Phoenix secures NBA Cup Wild Card originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Phoenix Suns entered Friday night's NBA Cup Group Play game hoping to take down the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder and earn the top seed in Western Conference Group A. Unfortunately, despite a late fourth quarter rally, the Suns' efforts were in vain.

Ultimately, a poor third quarter was too much to overcome as Phoenix outscored the Thunder 37-29 in the fourth, but lost by four points in heartbreaking fashion. For the Suns, it was Collin Gillespie who led the way, scoring 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting including 6-for-11 from three-point range. Devin Booker added 21 while Dillon Brooks contributed 19 points.

However, despite the loss, Phoenix has to be happy with their recent performances from Gillespie. In his last five games, Gillespie is averaging over 19 points per game, including a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves where he scored 20 points and the game winning floater with less than 10 seconds left.

This comes at a great time for head coach Jordan Ott, as sharpshooter Grayson Allen has missed the last seven games due to a quad contusion.

To add to the positive news, Phoenix also was not eliminated from NBA Cup Play. Despite the loss, their impressive 3-1 record in the Group Stage and their high point differential earned them the Western Conference Wild Card.

That means the Suns and Thunder will face off again on Dec. 10 in the quarterfinals. Oklahoma City will have homecourt advantage as the No. 1 seed. As far as seeds two and three are concerned, the Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs for a place in the semi-finals.

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