And to All a Good Night....Suns Pound Clippers 124-93

Twas not a quick start for the Suns this evening. Not only did they fall behind in points but also managed 2 rebounds compared to Chris Kaman's 4-that is 4 offensive rebounds and 7 total rebounds at the 5 minute mark of the first quarter. Still, the Suns recovered and mustered 7 rebounds by the end of the quarter and found themselves with a 30-26 lead.

Steve Nash was everywhere in the opening quarter and found himself with 4 easy layups en route to 12 points while the Clips tried to figure out exactly what he was going to do with the ball. Amare Stoudemire chipped in 6 for the Suns while Chris Kaman and some guy named Rasual Butler held the Clippers close.

The second quarter was punctuated by Grant Hill's buzzer beating half court shot. But Jared Dudley was the story, with 12 points on 5 for 9 shooting (3-4 from three point range). Dudz, Grant Hill, and Amare Stoudemire decided to pick up a few rebounds as well, which helped the Suns extend their lead to 67-55.

The second quarter also marked the return of Leandro Barbosa, who looked like his old self, slashing and shooting his way to 6 points in a little less than 9 minutes. Leandro looked smooth, with no ill effects of his ankle or wrist injury. His first hoop was a self directed clear out in which he quickly pointed to his chest and then drove to the hoop for a bucket.

A nice dunk by Amare brought the lead to 77-59 with 8 minutes left in the quarter. It was an excellent all around quarter for the Suns as Jason Richardson found his shooting stroke, Amare assaulted the rim, while the squad managed some decent rebounding and inside play.

The Clippers decided to make an adjustment on Steve Nash, collapsing in the line as he drove, this allowed open shots for the wings. Compared to the past several games, the Suns made many of their open looks. The Suns reached 101 points by the end of the quarter. By then, the Clippers and Mike Dunleavy Sr. had mailed it in, as the Suns lead swelled to 24 points.

Of Further Note:

• Leandro Barbosa made a triumphant return and looked like his old point-a-minute self. The Suns are 13-2 this season with Barbosa in the lineup.
• Every Sun in the normal rotation who played had at least one assist except Amundson 
• The Suns have won 5 straight home games versus the Clippers
• Did you see Barbosa block Sebastian Telfair's shot in the fourth quarter!? The block brought the Suns bench and remaining fans to their feet. 
• The Suns improved to 12-6 all-time on Christmas day
• With the win tonight, the Suns have won 14 of their last 15 home games against Western Conference teams
• Every Sun in the normal rotation who played had at least one rebound
• The Suns are 4-2 against the Pacific Division this year. Guess who they've lost to twice this season...
• Frosty Dragic looked strong in 23 minutes of play. The kid can absolutely fly. And tonight his three point stroke was on. 
• For those of you who want to see some more fire from Alvin Gentry. With 1.25 left in the game, the Suns up 122-89, he calls a 20 second timeout and screams collectively at the unit on the floor which consisted of LB, Lopez, Dragic, and Clark. It appeared he was mainly screaming at LB.

Game Notes From the Media Row:

1st period

Richardson late on rotation leads to Buler 3

Kaman gets 3 shots at the basket before traveling

Grant Hill walking up the floor

Richardson looking like he doesnt want the ball, seems to be limping. Left ankle?

Amare attacking hoop

Chris kaman is SLOW

With 5.49 left, suns outrebounded 14-2

J-Rich-jumps into not up offensive foul

dragic in w 2 mts finds nash for 3-beautiful play

nash makes a three, drives for a two then takes a charge against baron davis in succession

stoudemire goes to the floor for a rb, results in dudley 3

nash on fire, clips dont know what to do with him. has had at least 3 easy layups off of drives. 12 pts

suns-50%

clips 46.2%

suns outrebounded 17-7, 7offensive

2nd period

LB arrives!

Crowd is silent

Stagnant offense

dudz shot looking good. 

LB moving well calls his own number and drives for the score

closed the rb gap with Amare out of the game

kaman not dominating game

gordon not a factor in this game

hill ends the half with half court 3

suns close rebounding gap but still down 28-17

3rd period

very nice sequence-amae to jrich for the three. j rich misses gets his own rebound and waits at the three point line. amare heads to the hoop, rich hits him with the pass and amare has an open dunk.

good team play-Suns making Clips shoot one and out

clips collapsing on nash as he drives leaving a wing open. tonight, the wings are making shots.

4th

a lopez sighting-picks up a foul within 30 seconds

dragic looks good-he flies, skies, and has a nice set shot from log range. if he can stay consistent, good things, good things......

Earl Clark appearance-HEYOOOOH!

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