Make excuses about the Portland Trail Blazers being tired if you must, but there was no mistaking the fact that the Phoenix Suns came to play tonight. They came out with tons of energy from the very beginning and never let up or looked back. The Suns got out to an early lead and increased it throughout the game to finish with a blowout win over the Blazers 102-77
Tonight was a return to the ways of old with the run-and-gun offense back in full effect. However, they also managed to do this while still playing effective defense on the other end of the floor to hold the Blazers to under 33% shooting on the night.
This new change in tempo and offensive philosophy was likely something that head coach Alvin Gentry implemented to get the Suns back to playing like themselves again. And man, did it work. This was Suns' basketball, and when they are playing fast and furious everything else seems to fall in place...well, at least it did tonight.
Read on after the jump for more sunshine and roses.
Make no mistake about it...tonight's victory was an impressive one against a very good Portland team who (had) the best record in the West coming into tonight's game (5-1). Sure, they may have been tired after a late game against the Lakers last night, but take nothing away from the Suns either. They earned this win with energy, hustle, tempo, and very good defense...period.
Steve Nash led the team in awesomeness with 17 points, 9 assists, and a +22 for the night. Jared Dudley led the team in scoring with his 18 points, and it was his infectious passion and will that helped get the team out of a short-lived slump to start the second half. The twin towers of Gortat and Lopez also had a very nice night on the boards with 8 and 12 respectively. And last but not least, Markieff Morris put on a clinic from behind the arc and also on the glass notching 13 points and 9 rebounds on the night. Everyone was feeling good and feeling loose tonight...even Shannon Brown had 14 points!
The Suns did almost everything well, that is, as long as Nash was on the court. There's really very little to critique tonight, and I couldn't be happier!
Are there still issues with this Suns' team? Sure. But we've had enough doom and gloom around these parts recently. So for now I would recommend enjoying the heck out of an impressive, quality win...I know I am.
Game Notes:
First Half
Suns running-and-gunning again trying to get their offense going…and it’s working
Suns playing with great hustle and energy so far…Let’s see if they can keep it up!
Nash juked Felton so bad he fell backwards and out of bounds…He’s still got it
BAMF showed Crash who’s still boss with a stuff at the rim!
Suns out to their best start of the season, and leading Portland by 10 points midway through the first quarter
Nash going to the bench…let’s see if the offense can keep up the pace
Suns scored 30 points in a quarter…Just like old times!
Suns lead 30-19 at the end of the first quarter
Bench play has been good on defense, but still a significant drop off when Nash leaves the floor
Scratch that…Suns bench is now playing very poorly as Shannon Brown continues to shoot shot after shot
Nash is coming back in!
Nash hits the side fade-away jumper without missing a beat
Also, say what you want about Lopez’s rebounding, but he has 6 boards already midway through the 2nd quarter…Now Gortat is coming back in
Suns defense playing very well, and without affecting their offense for once! They are currently holding Portland to 28% shooting!
Suns still playing well, but Portland is still sticking around…mostly due to some wide open missed shots by Phoenix
Suns slowed down a little in the second quarter, but still maintain a nice lead going into the half up 49-34.
Second Half
Offense struggling at the start of the 2nd half.
Gentry calls a time out to talk it over before the Suns let a very dangerous team back in it
Dudley with a nice drive, then a fast break and-one…Looks like he’s trying to set the tone
Suns seemed to have fixed their offensive woes behind the play of Nash and Dudley
Suns now up by more than 20…Where has this team been?
Nash now with 17 points, 8 assists, and 3 TOs
Gortat now leading with 8 rbs to go along with his 12 points
Suns up 74-55 at the end of the 3rd quarter
All starters are on the bench with more than 8min left in the 4th quarter…Let’s hope they don’t have to come back in
Shannon Brown with a three and then a fast-break dunk…Everyone is feeling good!
Brown now has 14 points
Morris is awesome…that is all
Suns win!!! 102-77
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