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How bad have the Phoenix Suns been in the first quarter?

Heading into Sunday’s games, the Suns ranked last in the NBA in first-quarter margin with a minus-5.2 point differential. Utah, ranked 29th, was at a minus-2.7. Phoenix’s average of 24.1 points in the first quarter ranked 28th.

Even when the Suns have won, they’ve had to dig out of big holes. In their past three victories, they’ve rallied from 12-point deficits. Saturday, they fell behind by 22 points to Minnesota and couldn’t recover.

So, yeah, Phoenix is sort of looking forward to having Devin Booker back in the lineup Tuesday against Memphis, exactly three weeks to the day after he suffered a strained left adductor muscle in the final minutes of a loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Booker took part in a full practice on Saturday – including five-on-five – and said he expects to play against the Grizzlies barring any unexpected setback Monday.

“As of now I’d say yes,” Booker said. “I felt really good.”

Booker’s return will help in the Suns in several areas. First and foremost, Phoenix missed his team-leading 24.3 points per game.

“We struggle to score,” interim coach Jay Triano said. “That’s what 'Book' does.”

Booker also should relieve some of the scoring burden on small forward T.J. Warren. Warren averaged 21 points per game in the nine games Booker missed but shot just 42.8 percent from the field, in part because he was guarded by every team’s best perimeter defender. Prior to Booker’s injury, Warren shot 49.6 percent from the field.

“He’ll take a real good defender off of T.J.” Triano said.

With Booker back in the starting lineup, rookie Josh Jackson likely will return to the bench and his more natural position of small forward, backing up Warren. Triano believes Jackson will have more room to penetrate playing with a second unit that includes shooters like Troy Daniels and Isaiah Canaan.

“Josh can fit in with that unit that moves the ball very well,” Triano said.

Booker said it was “very difficult” to sit out the past nine games, but that he also learned some things by watching the game from a different perspective.

“When you’re caught up in the game, it’s going so fast you can’t really see things,” he said. “Little things I feel we need as a team, I think I can come back and provide that.”

For example?

“Just knowing where people have to be on the court,” Booker said. “When you’re on the court, you don’t notice because you’re so tuned in to what you have to do. Now I have a better idea of what people are good at, their strengths and weaknesses.”

Tuesday's game

Grizzlies at Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM.

Update: This is the second meeting in five days between the two teams. Phoenix beat Memphis 97-95 last Thursday. The Suns are hopeful the game will mark the return of guard Devin Booker, who has been out three weeks with a strained left adductor muscle. Booker practiced on Sunday and said if there are no setbacks that he expects to play against the Grizzlies. Booker’s return should help the Suns get off to a better start. In their past three wins, they’ve had to overcome 12-point deficits.

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