ducks
11-24-2006, 10:19 AM
Late 'D' aids Suns' cause
No big thrills, but solid win is 4th in 5 games
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Everything has a qualifier now with the Suns.
They ended New Orleans' four-win streak with a 92-83 home victory Wednesday, but it was less than thrilling.
Phoenix is 5-6, but it has won four of its past five. advertisement
Amaré Stoudemire was benched in crunch time again, this time for the final 16 minutes, and was shut out for the second time since microfracture surgery, but he was suffering from a sore throat.
Phoenix's offense struggled, particularly after losing Leandro Barbosa in the second quarter to a reaggravation of a left ankle sprain he suffered Monday at Golden State. But to counter an offense that made 15 of 21 shots in the first quarter and 18 of 49 thereafter, the Suns offered up some rare defense.
The Hornets appeared tired after playing Tuesday night, to the point Chris Paul told Mike D'Antoni that he wished the Suns would slow things down in the second quarter.
Phoenix held New Orleans to 40 percent shooting, but the Hornets helped lower the percentage by missing their first 13 three-point shots.
Boris Diaw had eight turnovers and passed repeatedly on trying to score when Paul, 8 inches shorter, covered him in the post, yet Diaw finished 8 of 10 from the field for a season-best 18 points.
Raja Bell brought his scoring total to 45 points in four quarters - though not in one game. He tossed in 18 in Wednesday's first half, to follow up on 27 in Monday night's second half.
The Suns' awkward early season continues, but they will feel fine with holding a lead for the final three quarters with little offense and holding the Hornets to middle quarters of 18 and 13 points.
"I'll take that any day of the week," said Steve Nash, who offered one of the few thrills after the 34-28 first quarter by putting Phoenix ahead by 12 in the fourth with a shot clock-beating left-handed hook.
"I've had my fair share of hooks for a White guy," he said.
Nash led Phoenix with 24 points and seven assists, below his average but not nearly as off pace as Paul and company. Phoenix held New Orleans to seven total assists - besting a 27-year-old Suns record.
With Shawn Marion helping defend Paul, the Hornets' flatness countered the Suns' sloppiness (18 turnovers).
In Phoenix, it's an ugly win, especially considering the Suns trounced the Hornets by 37 on their last Valley visit. In New York, Kurt Thomas would have considered it a beauty.
"We were able to build a lead, showed some poise and played defense to get stops when we needed them," Thomas said. "We definitely needed a defensive showing like that."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1123suns1123.html
No big thrills, but solid win is 4th in 5 games
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Everything has a qualifier now with the Suns.
They ended New Orleans' four-win streak with a 92-83 home victory Wednesday, but it was less than thrilling.
Phoenix is 5-6, but it has won four of its past five. advertisement
Amaré Stoudemire was benched in crunch time again, this time for the final 16 minutes, and was shut out for the second time since microfracture surgery, but he was suffering from a sore throat.
Phoenix's offense struggled, particularly after losing Leandro Barbosa in the second quarter to a reaggravation of a left ankle sprain he suffered Monday at Golden State. But to counter an offense that made 15 of 21 shots in the first quarter and 18 of 49 thereafter, the Suns offered up some rare defense.
The Hornets appeared tired after playing Tuesday night, to the point Chris Paul told Mike D'Antoni that he wished the Suns would slow things down in the second quarter.
Phoenix held New Orleans to 40 percent shooting, but the Hornets helped lower the percentage by missing their first 13 three-point shots.
Boris Diaw had eight turnovers and passed repeatedly on trying to score when Paul, 8 inches shorter, covered him in the post, yet Diaw finished 8 of 10 from the field for a season-best 18 points.
Raja Bell brought his scoring total to 45 points in four quarters - though not in one game. He tossed in 18 in Wednesday's first half, to follow up on 27 in Monday night's second half.
The Suns' awkward early season continues, but they will feel fine with holding a lead for the final three quarters with little offense and holding the Hornets to middle quarters of 18 and 13 points.
"I'll take that any day of the week," said Steve Nash, who offered one of the few thrills after the 34-28 first quarter by putting Phoenix ahead by 12 in the fourth with a shot clock-beating left-handed hook.
"I've had my fair share of hooks for a White guy," he said.
Nash led Phoenix with 24 points and seven assists, below his average but not nearly as off pace as Paul and company. Phoenix held New Orleans to seven total assists - besting a 27-year-old Suns record.
With Shawn Marion helping defend Paul, the Hornets' flatness countered the Suns' sloppiness (18 turnovers).
In Phoenix, it's an ugly win, especially considering the Suns trounced the Hornets by 37 on their last Valley visit. In New York, Kurt Thomas would have considered it a beauty.
"We were able to build a lead, showed some poise and played defense to get stops when we needed them," Thomas said. "We definitely needed a defensive showing like that."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1123suns1123.html