When you get dumped by your girlfriend in devastating, heartbreaking fashion the next girl you date is considered your "rebound relationship." That's what the Phoenix Suns face in tonight's home game against the Toronto Raptors. The Suns, as we are all too aware, played a hard and very long triple overtime game last night in Los Angeles and for their troubles get to play again tonight against the Raptors, who last played on Monday.
Normally, the 20-50 Raptors are a team you look at and pencil in the win, but this is a "rebound game" and just like "rebound relationships," those often don't work out so well. The Suns are going to need an exceptional performance from their bench tonight -- specifically Aaron Brooks and Hakim Warrick.
Warrick is notoriously up and down and will likely spend his time going against Andrea Bargnani. The former No. 1 overall draft pick and score the ball from just about anywhere, but his ability to defend Warrick on the pick and roll or in transition is suspect. Hak needs to ball tonight and take some pressure of Channing Frye, who played a game-high 58 minutes last night.
Even more important will be the play of Aaron Brooks. Brooks had one of his better games as a Sun last night. He was more aggressive and scored seven points in his fourth quarter stretch. Granted, he was playing with Frye who helps spread the floor, but he got it done and that's what matters.
Tonight, he needs to do even more to relieve some burden from Steve Nash's tired legs.
Helping the Suns a bit is the possible scratch of forward Amir Johnson due to an ankle sprain. He's listed as questionable for tonight's game.
The game tips at 7:00 p.m. local time on Fox Sports Arizona and will be broadcast on Sports 620 radio. Fans can follow along during the game with other Suns fans at the live game thread at Bright Side of the Sun.