Its about time!

Suns win by 48 points 81-129 Record 26-20

This is the Suns that fans have been waiting all year to see. Too bad it had to go against a team that has now lost 9 of the last 10 games. From the start the Suns were running, rebounding, and shooting the lights out in Phoenix. This game is only big because this can be a good start for the team after having team meetings for the last couple days trying to figure out what direction they are going. From the look of this game, it looks like they are on the way up. The starters sat most of the 4th quarter so the bench could shine for a little bit and get in on some of that 48 point pie the Kings donated to the Suns. This ends a 3 game home losing streak and may have rejuvenated a team that is finding their place in the west.

Where is the Heart at?

Suns couldn't stop the surging Bulls 122-111 Record 25-20

When this game started, it was bad from the beginning whistle. The Suns just didn't come to play against the Bulls who are searching for some wins and confidence themselves. The scoring with the Suns were spread out pretty evenly with all starters scoring in double digits. The problem with this game is the lack of defense on the ball. The Bulls shot 24 more shots than the Suns and made 10 more buckets than the Suns also. Scoring 111 points is not bad, its the other teams that are scoring more than that against the Suns is the main issue.

Losing to free throws

An early playoff game 114-104 Record 25-19

How can a team that shoots more shots and made more shots lose by ten points at home? Free throws were the killer in this game with both teams not turning it over much at all. The Suns only turned it over 7 times and overall had a great game. The difference was that the Spurs made 18 more free throws than the Suns which made the difference. Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and Grant hill chipped in 20 with both pulling down 10 rebounds each. Steve Nash had another remarkable game with 16 points and 18 assists. This game was close throughout and was very physical giving that playoff atmosphere to heat things up in these cold winter months. It just came down to free throws and the Spurs got to the line and shot and made much more than the Suns.

A good ending to a so so road trip

Suns beat Wizards 103-87 Record 25-18

The Suns controlled the game from beginning to end. Well actually Shaq was the main focal point in the game with 29 points 8 rebounds 2 assists and 3 blocks that put the Suns in the driver seat to get this easy victory on a team that has only won 9 games this year. Barbosa again with a great night with 23 points off the bench with Amare Stoudemire chipping in 22 points and 15 rebounds. The Suns went for their weakness right away and pounded down low with O'Neal taking two centers on that could not do anything about him. It really looked like the Shaq of a few years ago which gives Suns fans real hope that he has found some kind of fountain of youth to help this team get over that hump ( San Antonio) to make a real championship run, and with the Lakers actually being a good team again does not help the Suns to make that final push for the title. I am watching for the Suns to have a strong second half of the season to pump some fear into some of the hearts of the Western Conferences elite.

Work in progress

Suns win but not convincingly 104-99 Record 24-18

The Suns really needed a win and they barely got one in Atlanta. It was a pretty close game throughout and really came down to the wire like many of their games this season. Amare Stoudemire lead the Suns in points with 23 while Steve Nash had a good game as well with 14 points and 13 assists. The Suns pulled off a nice screen and roll with Nash and Stoudemire with about 26 seconds left that ended with foul on Stoudemire to seal it for the Suns. The Suns really need to buckle down, and with the season nearing its halfway point they need to stop turning the ball over so much. The turnover rate is rediculous, if what I have been seeing lately is whats to come its going to be a rough second half of the season. They should skip right through the Wizards to finally end their less than stellar perfermances on the road the past week.

The pain gets deeper

Suns lose 4 out of 5 109-114 Record 23-17

The Suns didn't really have a bad game, they just couldn't stop the Knicks from scoring baskets. Every player on the bench the Knicks played scored in double digits with Nate Robinson leading the way putting up 20. Three Suns starters scored atleast 20 points and Steve Nash ended up getting a remarkable 19 assists to one better the day he had against the Raptors getting 18 assists. The problem with this seemingly pretty good game overall for the Suns is letting New Yorks' bench put up 57 points. This is something I doubt the Knicks could repeat on a regular basis, but they just happened to do it to a team that is struggling to find its way now losing 4 of 5.

Total breakdown

What happened? 87-104 Record 23-16

From the start, this game was ugly, so so so ugly. The Suns acted like a college team playing against the Celtics today. 1 turnover after the next, missing shot after shot. Getting beat down by 30 by half time is just not acceptable for a Suns team that IS good. This is not a good way to show the league that they belong to be spoken about with the elite teams of the NBA. The Suns had a great game against Toronto last night, but could not find that same magic against the defending world champs. The only upside to this day is that Steve Nash is still perfect from the line making 54 in a row now. The high man for the Suns was Shaq with 16 points and 11 rebounds.