Phoenix Suns Game Preview: Hosting Raptors, 7PM AZ Time

by Alex Laugan on Jan 24, 2012 5:26 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Next Game

Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012, 7:00 PM MST
US Airways Center

The Phoenix Suns are tired, completing a strange 5-game eastern trip less than 24 hours ago. Only in a lockout-shortened year are you expecting to play a b-2-b home game immediately following a long road trip.

Per Paul Coro on azcentral.com, from center Marcin Gortat on tonight's game:

"It definitely isn't going to be easy," Gortat said. "Sleeping in five different beds for nine days and all of a sudden coming home for two days and then leaving again. It's tough but you've got to be ready to play."

The Suns had their worst shooting game of the season last night against Dallas, and are scoring fewer points per game than at any time since Nash rejoined the team in 2004.

On the plus side, Marcin Gortat stats going into last night's game are very interesting:

Phoenix Phactoid Pharaoh Vince Kozar's phun phacts today are about Marcin Gortat: 1. He is the first Suns player to have a four-game streak of at last 12 rebounds since Shawn Marion in 2006-07; 2. He is the first Sun to have a seven-game streak of points/rebounds double-doubles since Amar'e Stoudemire in 2006-07; 3. Only Kevin Love and Blake Griffin have posted a longer double-double streak in the NBA this season.

Add 1 to every one of those stats mentioned, since Marcin had 19 and 17 last night.

Tonight, the Suns face a downtrodden Raptors team (yeah, BC was the best GM ever!), losers of 8 straight games. The Suns have beaten the Raptors 14 consecutive times, including every time they have faced the Suns with Steve Nash under contract. The Raptors are 3-14 overall, 2-8 on the road.

The Suns need this win. Let's just hope Leandro Barbosa doesn't pull a Diaw or a Marion on us.

Read more on tonight's game at arizona.sbnation.com right HERE.

Raptors vs Suns coverage

Raptors vs Suns preview

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Comments

Another loss to a bad team at home?

Let us hope not…

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 24, 2012 5:42 PM MST reply actions

Pleeease don't even say that.

All we need to do is shoot a bit better and we’ll smoke these guys. Apparently Bargnani may not suit up so our streak of meeting teams without their best player will continue. No stinkin turnovers! Let’s score >100 points in a laugher for once. Absolutely a must win, so let’s just get it done. Gooo Suuns!

by Van2010 on Jan 24, 2012 5:56 PM MST up reply actions

We will see

We have not held home court like we should be and have been losing to teams without their best players. Of course this is also the Raptors. What I want to see is Keef get out of this slump and start playing solid again because Frye and Dudley are struggling, to say the very least. I also think Price needs to come off the bench with Brown starting. Price has been missing too many open shots on the offensive side of the ball. I always enjoy his D though.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 24, 2012 6:12 PM MST up reply actions

After seeing Morris make those comments on his Twitter account

I am expecting something big out of him tonight.

Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club

by AcucracK on Jan 24, 2012 5:49 PM MST reply actions

Love that Pic

barely a foot from hitting the ground and he’s still got his game face on looking for the Assist!

by miketheboss on Jan 24, 2012 5:54 PM MST reply actions

Woooo, on my way to the game!

We’re actually going with an aunt and uncle from Canada, so it should be interesting sitting with Raptors fans! :)

I hope the Suns take care of business tonight!

NBA Blog: www.nbagirl.tumblr.com
Non-NBA Blog: www.reallycoolshenans.tumblr.com
Follow me on Twitter: @PhxSunsGirl84

"Great things come to those who work."

by Dragic_is_Magic on Jan 24, 2012 5:54 PM MST via Android app reply actions

Have fun!

I am sitting at a desk at work, wanna trade?!?!? Come on, you know it sounds fun!!

Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club

by AcucracK on Jan 24, 2012 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

What a steal

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 24, 2012 6:09 PM MST up reply actions

these days

that might be a good trade

by 2NASHTY on Jan 24, 2012 6:48 PM MST up reply actions

awesome

make sure to rub it in their face when we win, and be obnoxious.

have a great time!

Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!

by PHXgp on Jan 24, 2012 6:05 PM MST up reply actions

Jealousssssssssssssssssss

I never get to go to games =( Also saw that the cheapest ticket to a game is $19 for the worst of seats. Kind of depressing.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 24, 2012 6:13 PM MST up reply actions