Coming off bench

Led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Western Conference's eighth-place Suns have played well in January, winning seven of their last nine, and are 8-4 overall this month. The Clippers are sixth in the West standings, led by veteran stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, plus their top scorer this season Norman Powell.

The Phoenix Suns have had to bench a starter from earlier in the season, and he's had a strong reaction to the change.

Phoenix Suns rookie, Ryan Dunn, selected 29th overall in the NBA Draft, has rapidly adjusted to the league's style and demands, strongly exceeding initial expectations.

Bradley Beal started the second half for Dunn, who replaced him in the starting lineup beginning Jan. 6 at Philadelphia. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer moved Jusuf Nurkic and Beal to the bench starting that game.