SB Nation Arizona - Suns Escape With Overtime Win Over Pesky Timberwolves, 135-127https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2011-04-12T09:13:57-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18686492011-04-12T09:13:57-07:002011-04-12T09:13:57-07:00Video: Michael Beasley Crossover Breaks Jared Dudley's Ankles Sends Him Sprawling
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<p>First, lets be clear, we love <span>Jared Dudley</span>. We love his hustle, extremely smart defensive rotations, surprisingly effective offense (16 points per game as a starter), and court leadership. We love his ten dunks and the fact that he is willing to make fun of himself for having 10 dunks. </p>↵<p>Jared Dudley is the kind of guy ANY team would want.</p>↵<p>But Monday night he was DESTROYED by <span>Michael Beasley</span> on a crossover that's just too good not to share. </p>↵<p><span>Grant Hill</span> had the assignment on Beasley most of the night and certainly would have been guarding him in this crucial late game situation. But an early screen between Beasley and Martel Webster left Hill in the corner after a switch and Dudley isolated on the former number two overall pick. </p>↵<p>Beasley sized him up and took poor Jared to school. Watch (warning: NSFW):</p>↵<p><object width="294" height="195"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4c7F_2LQlaM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0">
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4c7F_2LQlaM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4c7F_2LQlaM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="294" height="195"></embed></object> <br id="1302624556410"></p>↵<p>Beasley was fouled on the game-tying layup but in act of karmic revenge, missed the free throw that would have likely won the game for his team.</p>↵<p>As you might imagine, Jared took some ribbing for the play from his teammates and like the twitter master he is, commented on it himself after the game.</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/JaredDudley619/status/57679467765698560">Twitter / @Jared Dudley: Man!!! I told the refs tha ...</a><br>Man!!! I told the refs that there was a huge wet spot on The court where I fell!!!! Lol jk.. Great move by Beasley, he caught me flat footed</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p><i>(h/t to <a href="http://thehoopscene.com/2011/04/11/beasley-breaks-dudleys-ankles-sinks-clutch-layup/" target="_blank">The Hoop Scene </a>for the video)</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2011/4/12/2106316/video-michael-beasley-crossover-breaks-jared-dudleys-ankles-sends-himSeth Pollack2011-04-11T22:45:34-07:002011-04-11T22:45:34-07:00Phoenix Suns Take Overtime And Ton Of Threes To Beat Minnesota Timberwolves, 135-127
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<p>Well, it's almost over and both of these lottery teams were playing for nothing. In fact, you could easily argue that both teams would be better served by losing the game and improving their chances to get a higher draft pick. But the players on both side of the court gave a good show and a ton of effort in a thrilling overtime win for the home town Phoenix Suns.</p>
<p>The effort on the Suns' side was there, for most of the players, but the defensive focus was lacking. Minnesota scored 65 point in the first half on 61.7 percent shooting. Coach Alvin Gentry was not pleased.</p>
<p>"Good win, but obviously we weren't very good defensively...We got beat off the dribble; we got beat on post ups; we got beat on flash cuts -- so we didn't guard very good at all in the first half."</p>
<p>They gave up 62 points in the second half as well.</p>
<p>The Timberwolves were led by their pair of young, highly talented, otherwise unwanted forwards: Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph. Beasley showed a fire and passion on the court that had been missing in the past and displayed exceptional isolation skills against solid defense from Grant Hill. He finished with 26 points on 11-20 shooting.</p>
<p>Randolph was effective against less mobile Suns big men and scored 24 points on 10-20 shooting and also nabbed 10 boards.</p>
<p>The Suns were propelled by the career-high nine threes from Channing Frye and Jared Dudley's perfect 5-5 night from long range. </p>
<p>Game rotations were purposely designed to take a look at bench players in different situations. With Vince Carter sitting this one out with a "hip contusion", Aaron Brooks (5 points, 5 assists, 18 min.) was out-played by Zabian Dowdell (8 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, 15 min.). They traded time playing point with Zabian looking far more effective running the team.</p>
<p>Robin Lopez didn't play at all as the Suns wanted to get a look at Garret Siler in more realistic game situations. Some in the organization think he can be a backup to Marcin Gortat at center next season. Siler didn't impress in his 12 minutes of play, finishing with just two points, five rebounds, and four fouls.</p>
<p>In other former Suns news, Goran Dragic got the start tonight for Houston against the Dallas Mavericks. He finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and just one turnover. </p>
<p>The Suns have one more game left in the season on Wednesday against the Spurs. San Antonio will likely rest their starters as they prepare for the playoffs giving the Suns a good shot at winning 40 games on the season.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on this game visit <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com" target="_blank">Bright Side of the Sun</a>.</b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2011/4/11/2105694/phoenix-suns-overtime-ton-of-threes-to-beat-minnesota-timberwolvesSeth Pollack2011-04-11T12:58:29-07:002011-04-11T12:58:29-07:00Phoenix Suns Schedule: Suns Host Timberwolves In Penultimate Game Of Disappointing Season
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<p>The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> have clinched their first losing season since 2003/04, when they went 29-53; all that's left for this team is to play out its remaining schedule and perhaps alter its lottery chances. The Suns face the 17-63 <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> tonight at U.S. Airways Center.</p>
<p>Though the Suns have certainly disappointed, losing 13 of their last 18 games they're still significantly better off than the Timberwolves. Indeed, Minnesota recorded its last victory on March 11th, losing 13 straight in the interim. All-Star power forward <span>Kevin Love</span> leads the team with 20.2 points per game and ranks as the league's top rebounder, at 15.2 per game, but is doubtful to play tonight due to a groin injury which has held him out of Minnesota's last four games. <span>Anthony Tolliver</span> has gotten the starting nod at power forward with Love out. Look for Minnesota to call <span>Michael Beasley</span>'s number in Love's absence; the offensive-minded combo forward averages 18.9 points on 16.9 shots per game.</p>
<p>After a one-game absence, <span>Steve Nash</span> returned to the Suns' lineup in Sunday's loss to the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>. He is expected to suit up against Minnesota.</p>
<p><em>The game tips at 7:00 p.m. local time on My45 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 <a target="blank" href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Bright Side of the Sun</a>.</em></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/4/11/2333248/phoenix-suns-schedule-suns-host-timberwolves-in-penultimate-game-ofEvan Dunlap