Suns center Alex Len aims to add more finishes

The post-up footwork, the jump-shot mechanics, the pump fakes and the upper-body strength of Suns center Alex Len look as good as ever.

The finishes had yet to arrive this season until Wednesday night's fourth quarter in a 118-97 home win against Sacramento.

Even in a 1-for-8 shooting game Saturday at Portland, it looked at times like it did not matter whether the Trail Blazers’ Ed Davis was there or not. Len was getting where he wanted and doing the moves that he practiced all offseason. He just kept missing.

It was the same Monday when he missed a jump hook against the Clippers’ Josh Smith. After four games, Len was five for 15 on shots in the paint.

“I’ve had good looks,” Len said before Friday's game. “I didn’t finish them. I got to my sweet spot where I want to get. My moves have been really good. I just have to work on finishing strong.”

Len had his first shot blocked Wednesday and was only one for three with a slam follow as his lone make through three quarters. Going against Sacramento's Kosta Koufos, three slams in a two-minute stretch regenerated Len's confidence. He later hit consecutive jump shots and converted an and-one score during a 14-point, four-rebound quarter that turned a Suns win into their largest blowout in almost a year.

There was not much to fix about the up-and-under and spinning post moves that Len was using to lose defenders without the scoring finish. If anything, his few chances at jump shots had appeared rushed until Wednesday night.

“He made some good hard moves,” Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said of the previous games. “The balls just didn’t drop for him. He’s going to shoot that free-throw line jumper. He’s got to take his time. They (defenders) are not going to come out. We said it to him last year, ‘They’re not going to block your shot. You’re 7 foot. They’re usually off. So when you get it there, take your time, knock it in. It’s a free throw.’ He’s a good shooter.”

This homestand reviews the 2013 draft, when Len was taken fifth by Phoenix, Wednesday night visitor Sacramento’s Ben McLemore, who lost his starting role Wednesday, went seventh and Friday night visitor Detroit’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went eighth.

Extra 2-point guard look

The Suns’ dual-playmaker lineup is nothing new but having one off the bench again this season is a surprise.

Between veteran Ronnie Price’s strong play and opponents’ small lineups, Hornacek has paired Price’s all-out effort with Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight at times.

“Initially, I didn’t think that was going to happen,” Hornacek said. “But the way he (Price) has played has proved he has an effect on the game. We’ve got to get him in somehow, someway. Ronnie has done a great job. He brings that energy. We’re trying to get our guards, Brandon and Eric, to pressure defense. When we put Ronnie in there, it doesn’t drop off.”

Price made 3-of-6 3-point shots Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers and two of three Wednesday against Sacramento. It is reminiscent of when he made 41 percent of his 3-pointers for the Lakers in December before his right elbow pain worsened to require season-ending surgery in February.

“I’ve got to maintain my confidence and take good shots when they’re there,” Price said. “My primary focus is taking good, quality shots but also having the confidence that the ball is going to go in and, if I miss one or two, the next one is going to go in.”

Free throws

The Suns recorded at least 48 rebounds in each of their first four games for the first time in franchise history. They had 41 on Wednesday, still winning the board battle by eight.

Sacramento coach George Karl on the retooled Suns: “(Tyson) Chandler makes them better. I love their two point guards … Chandler gives them a good defensive presence. Their backcourt has a very good steal presence and pressure presence. It’s a nice young team.”

on the retooled Suns: “(Tyson) Chandler makes them better. I love their two point guards … Chandler gives them a good defensive presence. Their backcourt has a very good steal presence and pressure presence. It’s a nice young team.” Hornacek on the Suns’ offense entering Wednesday’s game: “Our offensive game is probably like my golf game; two of the three things are there. We’re getting the point guard penetration. We’re getting the big rolling to the basket. Now we need the shooting to go. Once we get that, teams are going to have to make a decision.”

Hornacek on Suns tempo: “We want them to get it up quickly but then they have to slow it down a little bit. . . . When you get down there early enough in the offense and there’s still 19 on the clock, now you hit part of the offense and now you can make a couple extra passes. If they stop all that, you still have 10 or 12 seconds and you can go into a pick-and-roll if you need to.”

Rookie guard Devin Booker returned to the active roster and played Wednesday night after an ankle sprain sidelined him for Monday’s game.

Reach Paul Coro at paul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him at twitter.com/paulcoro

Photos from the Kings-Suns game: