SB Nation 2011-12 Phoenix Suns
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A lineup change sparked the team despite poor shooting, but Steve Nash hurt his leg. We will see if he misses any time.
More: Analysis of the Suns win against the Grizzlies
A night after being embarrassed 109-71 by the Portland Trail Blazers just a night before, the Phoenix Suns returned home to US Airways Center in Phoenix and recovered nicely. They built up a 16-point halftime lead and held on to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 86-84, as Jared Dudley hit two free throws with 3.3 second remaining in the game.
The games started with lineup changes. Coach Alvin Gentry went back to the starting lineup that he called upon to start the season, with Channing Frye and Jared Dudley starting instead of rookie Markieff Morris and Ronnie Price.
The energy for the Suns was there early like against Portland and they got out to a 24-16 lead. They even scored 12 straight at one point. With Dudley and Frye starting, the shooting was not fixed.
The lead was built up 16 by halftime.
The second half made things close, as Memphis fought back.
The story of the game was the play of Dudley and Steve Nash. Nash set the time early by scoring early. He finished with only six assists in the game, but scored 21 points. Dudley was reinvigorated having been put back in the starting lineup. He played 42 minutes, scored 20 points, grabbed six boards, had four assists and three steals. More importantly, he was playing with the energy that got him his five-year contract before last season.
Channing Frye's return to the starting lineup did not help him. He shot 1-9 in just under 14 minutes. However, Markieff Morris had his best game in quite some time. Perhaps more relaxed coming off teh bench, he played a physical 20 minutes. He picked up five fouls, but had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Center Marcin Gortat returned to the land of double-doubles with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
As a team, they shot only 37 percent and still pulled out a win. Memphis tied the scored with 20 seconds left, and the Suns played for the final shot. Jared Dudley was fouled by Mike Conley driving to the basket and hit his two free throws to give the Suns the lead with 3.3 seconds left.
For Memphis, Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay each scored 18, and Mike Conley scored 15. Gasol also grabbed 13 boards.
The win improves the Suns' record to 7-12. They face the Dallas Mavericks next at home on Monday night.
One negative comes from the win. In the final play of the game, Steve Nash collided with Gasol and took a knee to his left leg. He left the court limping, but we have not learned more. When we do, we will let you know.
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The Phoenix Suns return home after a trip to Portland that ended terribly with a 109-71 loss to the Trail Blazers. Now they get to face a young, rested team that is waiting for them here in Arizona. The Memphis Grizzlies are 10-8 and have been quite a surprise. Memphis is coming off of a 98-91 loss Thursday night on national television to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns, at 6-12, will try to regroup and bounce back from a game that was nightmarish after the first quarter.
They will have their hands full, as the Memphis front line should be a challenge for Phoenix. Grant Hill will be matched up with Rudy Gay, who is averaging over 18 points a game. At power forward is Marreese Speights, who always seems to play extra hard against the Suns, as they passed him up in the NBA Draft. Rookie Markieff Morris will get that assignment, while Marcin Gortat will be battling another European center in Marc Gasol. Averaging nearly 15 points and just over 10 rebounds a game, he is one of the better centers in the league.
Can Phoenix bounce back and at least be competitive? Can they avoid another home loss? You'll need to tune in for that.
Here are projected lineups and the TV game schedule.
Projected Lineups:
While the Suns might shake something up, it looks like the starting lineup will stay as it has the past few games.
TV broadcast info:
The Suns game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time on Fox Sports Arizona. Arizona Sports 620 radio. Bright Side of the Sun will have the live game thread.
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns Game Preview: Lineup and Rotation Changes - Bright Side Of The Sun
Hey guys guess what!? It's a new day and time for another game! I think that's the only consolation we're going to have this year with the shortened season - we will be able to forget bad losses like last night and move on quickly to the next bad game. The Suns (6-12) arrived back in Phoenix around 2am and have this beautiful Saturday to forget last night's abomination of a game in Portland and prepare mentally and physically for a younger Memphis Grizzlies (10-8) team hungry for a win. Yaaay! They'll probably watch film this morning and hold off on working out. This is all that really needs to be said - the Suns need to win. But for some extra Saturday morning reading please continue my good sirs and gentlewomen.
The Phoenix have long been a valued franchise in the NBA, and one that has been held in high regard. Not only has the start of the season been a challenge on the court, as the team has a 6-12 record, financially, the team has taken a hit. Forbes ranks all the NBA franchises according to value, and this year's list reveals that Phoenix is heading in the wrong direction.
The franchise is still in the top 10 in the NBA in total value, but one year ago the Suns were number eight. They are the only franchise in the top 10 to have decreased in value. Phoenix decreased in value four percent, being worth now $395 million dollars. The Suns are one of eight teams to have decreased in value. When Robert Sarver purchased the team in 2004, he paid $404 million.
At this point, it hasn't been such a good investment.
The Phoenix Suns' offensive woes continued in Portland as the played the Trail Blazers Friday night. On January 6, Phoenix beat a tired Blazers team 102-77. Revenge would be served cold by Portland in a laugher of a game.
The first quarter it looked like Phoenix would make a game of it. Behind 10 points from Grant Hill and six assists from Steve Nash, they held a 24-21 lead after one quarter. The Suns shot 53 percent and held Portland to 35 percent shooting. The downside was that the Suns, like Portland, turned the ball over seven times.
That was where the good times for the Suns ended.
Portland started the second quarter with a 7-0 run and held Phoenix to only nine points. The Suns turned the ball over five more times. LaMarcus Alldridge pretty much had his way offensively. He had 17 first half points and six rebounds as Portland pulled away for a 47-33 halftime lead.
It didn't get any better in the second half. After three quarters, the score was 78-45 Blazers.
In the end, the final score was 109-71. Grant Hill led the Suns with 12 points, scoring only two after the first quarter. Marcin Gortat's streak on nine straight double-doubles came to an end. He had eight points and ten boards.
For the Blazers, Aldridge finished with 23 points, Wes Mathews scored 16 and Gerald Wallace had 17.
Next up for the Suns are the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night at home.
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The 6-11 Phoenix Suns, fresh off of a single-night stop at home for a loss to the Toronto Raptors, now already are on the road, this time to face the 11-8 Portland Trail Blazers. Portland will likely be seeking to exact a bit of payback for the 102-77 loss they suffered in Phoenix. That game was probably the Suns' best game of the season on both ends of the floor.
Since then, inconsistencies have plagued them.
Both teams are coming off of losses, Phoenix falling 99-96 to the Raptors, while the Blazers fell to the Golden State Warriors on the road on Wednesday night, 101-93.
The Phoenix Suns will be without center Robin Lopez, as he is suspended for a game for having made contact with an official in the game against Toronto.
Phoenix has not won in Portland since 2008 and has yet to score 100 points while playing on the road this season.
Projected Lineups:
With Lopez out for the game, Channing Frye can expect to see extended time at center, while Hakim Warrick will likely see more minutes.
TV broadcast info:
The Suns game tips off at 8:00 p.m. Arizona time on Fox Sports Arizona. Arizona Sports 620 radio. Bright Side of the Sun will have the live game thread.
Phoenix Suns At Portland Trailblazers Game Preview: Gut Check Time - Bright Side Of The Sun
The Suns are coming off of a disappointing two-game losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks without Dirk Nowitzki, and then against the Toronto Raptors at home who the Suns had previously beaten 14 times straight. The confidence of this team is in question and their future together hangs in the balance. The Suns' lone victory against an opponent with a winning record came against the Blazers back on Jan. 6th; when they upset Portland with a blowout victory 102-77. Tonight's game will either further the notion that something must be done to shake things up, or show that this team still has some fight left in it.
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Steve Nash Injury: Phoenix Suns Guard Questionable With Thigh Issue
Steve Nash has been trying to stay healthy. The Phoenix Suns point guard is always needed on the court or the team's performance almost always suffers without him there. When Nash came back into action the past few games, Phoenix looked appreciably better when he was on the court. The Suns definitely can't afford to lose him.
However, Phoenix might end up doing just that. Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic has more on the story.
The Suns don't really have a strong point guard rotation behind Nash. Ronnie Price is probably their best backup option, and he averages only 2.3 assists per game. In fact, there is no one between Price and Nash (9.9) in terms of assists per game. It could be tough for the Suns to move the ball if they don't have their field general out there.
To talk about Nash and the Suns, head to Bright Side of the Sun.
Jan 29 7:47p by Avinash Kunnath