Happy Birthday, Steve Nash, you hit the game winner tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks.
How fitting.
The Phoenix Suns were 35-5 against the Milwaukee Bucks since the '91-'92 season entering tonight's game. It looked as though they were in for their 36th W after two quarters of play when something typical happened. After scoring 67 points in the first half, the Suns suddenly lost momentum, putting up 40 in the final two quarters while giving up 55 to the Bucks.
What should have been an easy road win turned out to be a nailbiter for the Phoenix Suns. But none of that matters when it's Steve Nash's birthday.
In the first half the Suns were looking a bit like the 7SOL Suns. They ran, they made shots, they scored 67 points on 62% shooting. Michael Redd scored 12 while Nash went for 13 and 5. The Suns went 5-9 from beyond the arc and befuddled the Bucks for 24 minutes. Even the Suns' defense stepped up, limiting the Bucks to 20 second quarter points.
But in the 3rd quarter, the Suns gave up runs of 12-0, 8-0, and 6-0. The Suns' 17 point lead dwindled to 7 at the end of the third. In the fourth, the Bucks continued on a 17-2 run. The Suns helped the Bucks out by missing 9 of 10 field goal attempts in the first four minutes of the final stanza. Brandon Jennings took his second shot of the game, a 3, and promptly nailed it to give the Bucks a 3 point lead.
Of course it was Nashty to the rescue for the Phoenix Suns. After an incredible save off a Channing Frye block, Nash hit a running 3 to give the Suns a 2 point lead. After 2 Bucks free throws, the game was tied with 5 ticks left on the clock.
Enter the Nashty who drove to to the right side of the hoop for a running 6 footer. GAME OVER. A fitting climax to what must have been one of the happiest 38th birthdays in recent history. Thank you, Steve Nash
Worth Noting
- Josh Childress: 12 rebounds, 3 assists in 16 minutes. Just watch the guy. He's everywhere, a pest with a nose for the ball. We may just get our money's worth out of this guy. Hopefully
- Jared Dudley: 7-9 from the field, 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Marcin Gortat 21 and 9
- Channing Frye: 14 points, 5 rebounds on 6-12 shooting
- Grant Hill: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
- Michael Redd: 14 points, 4 rebounds on 7-14 shooting in 20 minutes of play.
- Phoenix Suns: 48 points in the paint against 22 Buck points in the paint
Thoughts, Opinions, Observations
It's never nice to lose a 19 point lead and have to eke out a W in the final seconds. But any win on the road is a good win. The Bucks were 7-3 on their home court, and even if Scott Skiles refused to let Brandon Jennings take a shot (to prove some insane point or what have you), a W in the W column is sweet especially on the second night of back to backs.
The good news for the Suns is Josh Childress is contributing in that Lou Amundson kind of way. Getting his mitts on rebounds, playing D, being the dirtworker the second unit needs. But wait, there's more good news! Channing Frye's shot is starting to fall. And as many of you posted yesterday, when Frye hits shots, the Suns transform into a much better team. OH WAIT, there's even more good news! Michael Freakin' Redd is starting to gain confidence and hit shots. He's 16-35 from the field in the last three games which is an incredible improvement. Even Robin Lopez is contributing without throwing any hissy fits.
Heck, if this continues, we might all start feeling a tad optimistic.
Enjoy, Suns fans, the Suns have won 3 in a row and return home with a score to settle against the Houston Rockets.
Quotable:
Steve Nash
"It was a pretty formidable win under pretty formidable circumstances."
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Suns vs Bucks coverage
Quarter by Quarter Notes
1st
Drew Gooden scoring at will
Gortat feeling it
Bucks start off 7-12
Nash aggressive on offensive end
Every Sun starter has scored
Michael Redd enters to applause. No SO. Just applause
Suns 11-2 run in 2 minute span
"They're cookin'" says Eddie Johnson, one of my personal idols.
Suns playing confident, with excellent pace
Redd cant play defense. no big surprise. Delfino makes him look like a statue
Morris and Chill enter. Flagrant on Gooden for being a dick. "meltdown effect," says EJ. Totally
Redd could be a hero tonight, feeling comfy with the floor and rims in MIL.
Really thought Nash would go bald. I wish I had his hair. Not gonna lie.
Illysova drops 35 footer to end quarter. Suns 34-30, shooting 64% from field.
2nd
Lopez and Bassy two man game pays off with Lopez hook
Redd clearly finding his stroke with smooth 2
Chill picking up all the loose balls. 5 boards in 5 minutes
More Redd with a 10 footer off the boards
More Redd with a 15 footer, Suns bench going nuts. Leading scoreers w 10
Bucks not making shots and not getting second chances.
More Redd, more Redd, MORE REDD! SUNS UP BY 12
Leander calls Stephen Jackson "salty," which is a really dumb way to say the guy is pissed. Anyway, the guy is acting like a dick which is no surprise.
Redd shooting at will bricks a 3. Slow it down Miachael.
Bucks look angry. Here comes the run.
Bucks on 10-2 run (see I called it!)
Starters back in.
Frye hits 3.
Leander points out Nash shares birthday with Ashton Kutcher. uh, who cares?
Nash hits, 6-7. 15-19 in two games thus far.
Gortat bucket, Suns have scored 60 in first half. A good sign
Bucks looking confused on D
I hate commercials
Frye's shot is very very close to being normal. This is good for the Suns
Dudley 2 brings Suns lead to 17
Frye insane tip in from about 10 ft away off Hill miss
Can Suns hit 70? 65 in the second with 28 ticks left
Suns 67-50 at half, shooting 62% from the field.
3rd
Gortat gathers Dudz miss for dunk, suns up by 19
More Gortat, lefty hook Suns by 21
8-0 run by Bucks
Suns respond with 6-0 run on Hill layup off Mil TO.
Bucks on 6-0 run, 86-73 Suns
Chill all over the boards. 10 mts, 10 boards
Bucks 12-0 run 88-81 Suns
Lots of sighs, here we go again.
31-21 Bucks in 3rd
4th
Momentum shift, 17-2 run by Bucks going back to 3rd quarter
Dunleavy with 2nd 3, Suns up 90-89
Lopez 20 foot brick? Why?
Jackson 3, 92-90 Bucks 7+ mts left
Bucks can't miss now
Suns 1/10 from field in first 4 mts of 4th
J Chill is everywhere on the bright side
Anyone want an 11 year old cat?
Dudz 3 94-93 Mil
Suns cant hit a shot
Frye in at crunch time hits long 2.
Dudz 3, Suns up 98-96 with 4 mts left
Jennings second shot of the game a 3, 101-98 Bucks
Frye block Nash incredible save, Nash hits 3, 103-101 with 2 mt left
I hate my job
Gortat 2 Suns 105-103 1.21 left
Mil with 4 tries at a basket hit two FT's 105 all, 44.7 left
Hill miss, Suns off rebound. TO Suns 20.2 left
Nash hits driving layup 107-105 with 5 ticks left. HAPPY FREAKIN B-DAY!
Bucks cant get a shot off. GAME OVER MAN! SUNS WIN