Game Recap: Phoenix Suns get buzzed by New Orleans Hornets, 95-92

The Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets locked in a pitched battle on Sunday night for lotto balls.

None of the players or coaches or front offices on either team wanted this to happen. They each wanted their tilt on Sunday night to mean something more than who gets more lotto balls in the hopper next month. The Hornets had just picked first overall last summer and came into the season boasting what some believed to be a strong rotation. But injuries and ineffectiveness have plagued them, despite playing hard each night, and they along with the Suns will be anxiously awaiting what young player they might be able to draft in June.

The Suns began the game on fire, just like Friday night against Golden State. They built a 26-17 edge at the end of the first quarter, similar to their sizzling Friday lead of 37-23. They held a 4-point halftime lead, similar to the 8-point lead on Friday.

And just like Friday, the Suns folded in the third quarter. Tonight, they were outscored in the third by 16 points (35-19 in favor of NOLA), whereas on Friday it was a whopping 18 point deficit in the same stanza (32-14 in favor of GS).

On Friday, the Suns recovered, played hard, and brought the Golden State game within 2 points in the final seconds. The crowd was hooting and hollering, cheering the Suns toward victory and appreciating the brief respite from the doldrums of this season.

On Sunday, it took longer to get their mojo back, but behind Goran Dragic, Luis Scola, Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris and Kendall Marshall, the Suns cut a 16-point deficit to 3 with three minutes left.

While Dudley missed big shot after big shot, Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall went to work. Marshall (9 pts, 5 a, 3 r) showed some talent, dropping a couple of quick (for him) 3s and drove left for a running layup against the teeth of the Hornets defense. Dragic carved up the defense from the wing, and both players dished to big men at the rim and 3-pt shooters.

But after the Suns cut it to 3 points, the Hornets scored on two possessions while the Suns missed a few bunnies. The lead was quickly back to 7.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention, tonight the Suns lost a SEASON HIGH and FRANCHISE RECORD 7th STRAIGHT HOME GAME.

Extra points:

• Michael Beasley made only 1 of 11 shots during his stints on the floor, despite most of those being at the rim. The "other" Beasley came back with a vengeance to make up for those good recent games.
• Marcus Morris did not hear the squeak of his own shoe on the court for the 4th time in the last 11 games.
• Markieff Morris had 18 points and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes, a good game for him
• Kendall Marshall had 9 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 20 minutes, a good game for him as well
• Diante Garrett was recalled back to Phoenix today. Not sure if he will be returned to Bakersfield by the playoffs or not. He did not play in the game after being recalled.
• Jermaine O'Neal was out with a swollen and sore left shin

Lotto fun!

The Los Angeles Lakers LOST today (to the Clippers) while the Utah Jazz WON today (over the Warriors), forcing the Lakers to have to win TWO more games than the Jazz the rest of the season to make the playoffs, because the Jazz have the tiebreaker.

Lakers: 40-37

Jazz: 41-37

A very good lotto day for the Suns!!