My last comment on the game preview today was to predict a final score of 105-97 in favor of the Suns.
That wasn't really a stretch. In the three previous matchups this season, the Phoenix Suns won all 3 by an average of 14 points. The Warriors had scored only 101, 92 and 88 points, while the Suns had scored 107, 104 and 112 points.
Tonight's actual score? 108-97, Suns.
Why have the Suns swept the Warriors this season? BAMF.
Monta Ellis is Golden State's alpha dog, and Grant Hill is one of the few in the league who knows how to frustrate him. Ellis averages 24.8 points per game this season, but against Grant Hill and the Suns he only scored 8 points tonight. In fact, Hill has been Ellis' nemesis all season.
Of course, I have to give the biggest credit to Channing Frye and Steve Nash. The Suns lost both games without them, and 5 of 6 overall without Frye. With them back in the lineup, the Suns ship is righted. Their rotation is settled. And the whole flow of the team is cleaner.
Big time players for the Suns tonight:
- Channing Frye - 17 and 9 in his return from a separated shoulder
- Marcin Gortat - 18 and 8, with 4 assists, a steal and a block, after calling out the Suns' terrible practice
- BAMF Hill - 17, 7 and 3, plus lockdown defense on Monta Ellis
- 2Time Steve Nash - 17, 6, and 10, with 3 big "old time Nash" 3s on the move. He looked good tonight.