For those of you who participated in the game thread, I hope your ulcers, heartburn, headaches, and upset stomachs will soon heal.
The Phoenix Suns had their chances all night to win this game, but the combination of atrocious defense, foul trouble, and 19 turnovers sank the ship tonight, as the Suns couldn't stop the Warriors, 132-127.
Was anyone expecting a defensive struggle tonight? The Warriors entered the game allowing the most points in the league, while the Suns weren't much better.
The injury depleted Warriors faced a Suns squad playing back to back games. In the first quarter the team's managed to make 8 of their first 9 shots in the game and held true to their numbers. The Suns shot 59% from the field and 5-9 from 3 point range while the Warriors shot 58%. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson led the Suns offensively while Amare Stoudemire picked up two quick fouls and exited with 1 point (1-4 Ft's). The Warriors countered with Cory Maggette and Monta Ellis who scored 11 and 10 points respectively. That was a sign of things to come.
At the half the Suns bench had outscored the Warriors 25-11, but the difference was made up at the foul line with the Warriors going 17-21 while the Suns went 9-15.
In the third quarter, the Suns gained a little separation with an 8-0 run. But the Warriors countered with their own 6-0 run. A well rested Steve Nash took over with an array of 3's and drives to the hoop, easily blowing by bigger defenders for 19 points in the quarter. Still the suns couldn't force enough stops and ended the quarter leading by a slim four point margin, 108-104.
In the fourth, the Suns fell behind significantly enough in rebounds and couldn't stop the Warriors from scoring, as they went on a 7-0 run to take 111-108 lead.
With the Warriors up 115-111, Jared Dudley was fouled in the act of a three pointer and sunk 3 free throws to narrow the deficit to one with 7 minutes left. On the following play the Warriors turned the ball over.
After two misses by the teams, Steve Nash threw an errant pass which resulted in a Suns foul on Monta Ellis who sunk two free throws. The Suns missed a golden chance to even things up or better. Still, after two Jason Richardson free throws, the Suns were only down one, 117-116 with 6.5 minutes left. the Suns still had a chance to steal this one.
After a Jared Dudley 3, the Suns were again only down two, 123-121. They managed a stop and a Stoudemire jam brought the game to a deadlock at 123. But the Suns, true to form, tonight couldn't stop the opposition. Baskets were traded, turnovers were made, and suddenly the Warriors stood atop this trash heap of a game.
After a fall away Nash basket the Warriors got 3 shots at the hoop and Cory Maggette ended up at the lane, sinking two free throws. GAME OVER.
MORE:
- The Suns had no answer all night for Cory Maggette, who finished 13-17 from the field, a perfect 7-7 from the line and 33 points. Monta Ellis wasn't bad either, 33/10/6.
- Jason Richardson entered the game averaging 23.7 points per game against his former team and continued his outstanding play against the Warriors with 22 points. However it wasn't enough on this night.
- Did you see Frosty's move in the third quarter with an awesome ball fake under the hoop which faked out his defender and allowed an easy layup?
- Did you see Steve Nash dribble between his legs and blow by Anthony Randolph for an easy layup?
- I'm drinking the Goran Frosty Dragic kool-aid. Confidence is everything with this kid, and he's playing like an old pro, without any fear, outrunning everyone on the court, making shots with pressure on him, driving to the hoop, drawing fouls, and more than holding his own on defense.
- Amare Stoudemire was in foul trouble all night. His rhythm was ruined and was largely a non factor all game. 9 points, 7 rebounds, 6 fouls.
- Where was Channing Frye all night?
- The Suns shot 19-27 from the free throw line, the Warriors 32-37.
Suns vs Warriors coverage
Suns vs Warriors boxscore
Suns lose to Warriors, fall short on road again
"It was ridiculous," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "Our defense sucked. That's the only way you can put it. There's no sugar-coating it. We were absolutely horrendous defensively. We gave up drives to the basket. We just didn't guard them at all. We were content to trade baskets with them early in the game. I said at the half that we're putting ourselves in a situation where if the game is close at the end, they've got great players who can make plays at the end. We never tried guarding them."