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The talent is there. The Suns always have known that about Marquese Chriss.

It’s why they made the draft-day trade in 2016 to acquire Chriss from the Sacramento Kings. They saw combustion in a 6-foot-10 frame, the ability to block shots at the rim on one end and bury 3-point shots at the other.

They were willing to wait for Chriss' basketball IQ to catch up to his pure physical gifts – Chriss has only been playing basketball since his freshman year in high school – because they knew the pay-off could be huge.

“I think he’s an elite athlete,” interim coach Jay Triano said. “We just haven’t seen it yet.”

That’s because Chriss often has been his own worst enemy, either when it comes to understanding the game or letting his emotions get the best of him. His body language can be a portrait of frustration, and his 11 technical fouls as a rookie revealed a young man who didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.

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But when Chriss plays like he has the last two games, it’s proof to the Suns that their patience eventually will be rewarded.

Chriss tied his career high with 13 rebounds in Phoenix’s win over Memphis on Wednesday and followed that up with arguably the best game of his NBA career in the Suns’ 111-101 victory over Sacramento on Friday, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists while limiting Zach Randolph to 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

Chriss has 21 rebounds in the last two games after pulling down just 22 in the previous six games.

“That’s the way we like him to play,” Triano said.

One sequence early in the third quarter illustrated Chriss’ potential. He buried a 25-foot 3-point shot to give the Suns a six-point lead – he was 3 for 3 from 3-point range – and then stole a pass intended for Randolph and raced downcourt for an uncontested dunk.

“He had a huge night not only with his defense, but with his rebounding and activity,” center Tyson Chandler said. “I think his positive spirit brought a whole different element to the game.”

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Positive spirit? Chriss?

As it turns out, the Suns’ coaching staff and veteran leaders like Chandler, Jared Dudley and Greg Monroe have been counseling Chriss about his tendency to let his natural competitiveness go down the wrong road.

“That’s something Jay told me last year and this year,” Chriss said. “He doesn’t think I’ve ever played better after I got upset and got a technical. Don’t let my emotions get the best of me.”

The messages – Chandler, in particular, has been a mentor to Chriss – may be getting through. Chriss has just three technicals in 37 games, his last one coming on December 7.

“It’s something I’ve tried to grow out of, and I think I’ve done a better job of it this year,” Chriss said. “I’m just trying to be a positive influence on my team as much as I can when I’m on the floor and on the bench.”

The Suns know Chriss will continue to bounce between games in which he’s vital and games in which he disappears. He’s 20 years old. Inconsistency happens. But they believe that if the attitude and effort continues to improve, he’ll start to put together more games like he did against Sacramento.

“His energy level has been very good and he’s in better shape,” Triano said. “And he’s playing much better because of it.”  

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Sunday's game

76ers at Suns

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM

Update: The Suns are 5-2 in their last seven games after a 111-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday. A win over the Sixers would give Phoenix its first three-game winning streak of the season. Philadelphia was 15-19 heading into Saturday’s game at Denver. Center Joel Embiid, still not cleared to play in back-to-back games, did not make the trip to Denver but is expected to play against the Suns. Phoenix arguably had its best game of the season on December 4 when it went on the road and beat Philadelphia 115-101. Devin Booker had a season-high 46 points in the win.

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