Prediction: Phoenix Suns reach 50-win mark by end of March, top Celtics, Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns should either be trying to improve their playoff seeding or lounging as a top four seed by March.

This part of the schedule has its share of challenges now. The Suns take on Boston twice in a span of six days and have two road dates against the defending NBA champion Nuggets.

They also play Oklahoma City twice, are at Milwaukee, at Cleveland and face Philadelphia at home.

The 76ers matchup became even more intriguing when former Suns wing Kelly Oubre Jr. joined Philadelphia this summer. Then there's the big fella, reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Curious to see how Jusuf Nurkic plays against him.

Not so sure James Harden will be with the 76ers by this time, but this is still a tough stretch, especially at this point in the season.

Here's the latest in our month-by-month predictions for the 2023-24 schedule with a look at March:

March (11-4)

Mar. 2 – Houston Rockets (W).

Mar. 3 – Oklahoma City Thunder (W).

Mar. 5 – at Denver Nuggets (L).

Mar. 7 – Toronto Raptors (W).

Mar. 9 – Boston Celtics (W).

Mar. 11 – at Cleveland Cavaliers (W).

March 14 – at Boston Celtics (L).

March 15 – at Charlotte Hornets (W).

Mar. 17 – at Milwaukee Bucks (L).

Mar. 20 – Philadelphia 76ers (W).

Mar. 21 – Atlanta Hawks (W).

Mar. 23 – at San Antonio Spurs (W).

Mar. 25 – at San Antonio Spurs (L).

Mar. 27 at Denver Nuggets (W).

Mar. 29 at Oklahoma City (W).

Upset: Top overall pick Victor Wembanyama could have one of those nights.

Most anticipated game: Both Nuggets games.

They may be battling for the top seed in the West along with the Lakers and the Warriors.

The Suns can send a message in Denver, where they didn’t win in five tries last season counting the playoffs.

Back in OKC: Kevin Durant still got booed in Oklahoma City last season years after he left for Golden State .

He led the Suns past the Thunder that March night, but OKC battled. The Thunder are on the come up and can use their matchups against the Suns as a measuring stick.

Marquee matchup: Durant vs. Jayson Tatum. Twice within a week.

Facing Giannis Antetokounmpo: He’s arguably the best player in the league.

Now he has Damian Lillard, too.

Finals preview?

Record after 74 games: 50-24.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.