Recap: Phoenix Suns fall to the Cavaliers 120-95

Well, the Suns teased us again by taking a 27-23 lead at the end of the first quarter but it all quickly fell apart in the second. Cleveland took a 62-45 into halftime and the Suns never posed a serious threat for the remainder of the game.

Troy Daniels led the Suns with 20 points while Marquese Chriss got a double-double tonight with 19 points and 10 rebounds while adding 3 assists, 2 blocks, a steal and only one turnover. Josh Jackson added 17 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Alex Len added 14 and Tyler Ulis 11.

LeBron James - as usual - led the Cavaliers with 27 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds... in just three quarters of play (he sat out the 4th). Kevin Love added 20 points while Larry Nance Jr, Jordan Clarkson and J.R. Smith all scored in double figures as well.

The Suns had another bad shooting night hitting 43.7% from the field and 25% from three. Cleveland’s FG percentages were 49.5% and 27.6% from three. What really turned it into a 25 point loss was that Cleveland really beat up the Suns on the boards by out rebounding them 54 to 36 plus the fact that they committed only 14 fouls to the Suns’ 23 and hit on 75% of their free throws as opposed to 60% for the Suns.

1st Quarter

The Suns win the tip and trade misses with the Cavs to open the game.

Play is a little sloppy by both teams with a several missed shots. Cavs are up 2-0 at 9:30.

Daniels finally get the Suns on the board with a three. Cavs up 6-3.

Marquese Chriss with a nice move against Kevin Love. 10-7 Cavs at 7:00.

Cavs quickly go up 14-7 and Triano calls time at 6:24. Cavs have gotten hot and are shooting 70% to the Suns’ 30%.

Jackson now has two fouls but he stays in.

Chriss hits a three and now has 9 points to cut the Cavs’ lead to 15-12. Cleveland calls time.

Several subs are in for both teams now. The Suns have put together a little run and tied the game at 21 with 2:15 to go in the quarter.

Suns take the lead 23-21!

Chriss now leads the Suns with 11 points. Suns are up 25-23... now 27-23!

Chriss also has 5 rebounds and the quarter ends with the Suns leading 27-23.

The Suns finally started hitting their shots and brought their field goal percentage is up to 52.4% and they’re hitting 37.5% from three. Cleveland is shooting 50% and 50%. LeBron has played the entire first quarter (as has Chriss).

2nd Quarter

Chriss gets a rest to start off the 2nd quarter and George Hill gets a quick tech. Suns now up 30-23.

Suns lead 31-25 at 10:57.

Alex Len has picked up his 2nd foul and Bender checks back in. Suns have committed 11 team fouls to Cleveland’s 4 and are in the penalty.

Cleveland ties it up 33-33 at the line. 8:30 to go.

Cavs take the lead 38-33 as the Suns have gone cold again. They’ve only scored 2 points in the first 5 minutes of this quarter.

Cleveland is now up 44-35. The Suns have committed 9 turnovers now as Cleveland goes up 47-35.

The Suns are looking lost on the court as Cleveland stretches their lead to 55-37 with 3:54 to go. Jay Triano calls time.

The half ends with the Cavs leading 62-45.

At the Half

Marquese Chriss leads the Suns in scoring with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Troy Daniels has 11 and Josh Jackson has 8 points and 3 assists. Kevin Love leads the Cavs with 14 points and 5 rebounds. LeBron James has 11 points and 7 assists while Jordan Clarkson also has 11.

The Suns shot 42.9% from the field and 28.6% from three. Cleveland made 52.2% of their field goals and 31.2% from three.

Cleveland out rebounded the Suns 25-17 and committed only 6 fouls to 13 for the Suns. Josh Jackson and Alex Len both already have three personals as does LeBron James for the Cavs.

3rd Quarter

Dragan Bender takes his first FG attempt at around 7:30 to go in the 3rd... and misses. He’s been in the game for 20 minutes.

Cleveland is up 79-56. Suns are shooting terribly. Chriss is having a really good game though. He’s hitting 70% of his shots and 50% from three.

The Cavs are up 87-63 with 3:00 to go.

Ouch! Jared Dudley has no chance stopping LeBron on a fast break... even if he fouls him. JD winds up on the floor and the Cavs are up 93-63 with 1:33 to go.

The Suns actually put together an 8-0 run to get it down to 93-71 before the quarter ends.

4th Quarter

For those of you who aren’t watching this game... I envy you.

The Suns aren’t getting it done when they get to the line either. They’re shooting 60% from the free throw line tonight. Cavs lead 97-77 at 9:00 to go.

I have to give the Suns credit for effort at least. They’re down 105-80 with 6:31 to go but they’re still hustling on the court.

Well, the Cavs let LeBron rest for the entire 4th quarter but it made no difference for the Suns.

This game is over.

Suns lose 120-95.