Shorthanded Phoenix Suns fall apart in 4th, lose 112-95 to Detroit Pistons

When Alex Len broke the seal on the game by sinking a corner 3-pointer, it appeared that odd occurrence would be an omen for the rest of the game. Luckily for the Detroit Pistons, this particular omen wasn’t as permanent as they were in Julius Caesar. The Phoenix Suns made Detroit work for it through three quarters, but the Pistons pulled away from the shorthanded Suns in the 4th quarter on their way to a 112-95 win.

The Suns entered this game with only eight available players, with Devin Booker (sore right ankle), Leandro Barbosa (illness), and Ronnie Price (left leg contusion) joining Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Tyson Chandler, and Dragan Bender in street clothes. Still, Phoenix led by as many as 12 points before it all fell apart in the 4th quarter, where they were outscored 35-20.

Much of the damage was self inflicted, as the Suns shot 35.4 percent from the field and lost the rebounding battle 63-47. One positive note for the Suns was their four turnovers for the game.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led all scorers with 23 points, and Andre Drummond, who found himself at the center of a 4th quarter lob party, finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds. Aron Baynes also had a double-double off the bench for the Pistons, with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Even Boban Marjanovic descended his beanstalk to the delight of Pistons fans for the final 1:46 of the game.

For the Suns, Tyler Ulis led the way with 17 points and 11 assists despite shooting just 7 of 24 for the game. Alan Williams also had a double-double (11 points and 12 rebounds), and 10-day signee Jarell Eddie chipped in 13 points (10 in the 1st half). Unfortunately, Jared Dudley was the only Sun to shoot better that 50 percent from the floor tonight.