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Dragic, Suns surge past Bobcats

Feb 2, 2014 - 6:37 AM Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Goran Dragic scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting and added five rebounds and four assists to lead the surging Phoenix Suns over the Charlotte Bobcats, 105-95, on Saturday.

The Suns were coming off a perfect 4-0 road trip that ended with a stunning 102-94 win in Indiana on Thursday, and they were facing a Bobcats club feeling good about themselves following road wins over the Nuggets and Lakers.

"It feels like I'm playing basketball with my friends back home with no pressure," said Dragic, a native of Slovenia. "I get great support from my teammates. It's just fun."

A win in Phoenix proved too tall a task, though, as the Suns built a 27-point lead by making 56.7 percent of their shots over the first three quarters.

Marcus Morris and twin brother Markieff provided 15 and 13 points, respectively, in the victory.

Al Jefferson, one day after erupting for a career-high 40 points in Los Angeles, was limited to 10 on 4-of-15 shooting. Anthony Tolliver led the Bobcats with 14 points.

"We didn't come out playing the way we're supposed to play against a team like that," said Jefferson. "We didn't have the energy that we needed, we weren't making shots."

The Suns went ahead by 10 in the first quarter behind Dragic's 15 points in the first 7:42. The emerging point guard made five of his first six shots and was 4-of-5 from the free throw line during the surge.

Phoenix was in front by five, 32-27, entering the second and stretched it back to double digits with a 9-1 run during the middle stages. The Suns completely ran away with it by holding Charlotte scoreless over the final 5:11 of the half.

The Bobcats shot 4-of-20 (20 percent) from the field in the quarter and were in a 59-41 hole at the break.

Dragic and Marcus Morris combined for 34 points in the opening half, and the rest of Phoenix's roster took the reins in the third quarter.

Markieff Morris' slam in the closing seconds ended an 8-1 run, and the Suns' 90-63 margin heading to the fourth was never seriously challenged despite a valiant effort by Charlotte's reserves.

Game Notes

Phoenix swept the two-game season series for the second straight year and has won five straight meetings ... Jefferson had scored 20 or more in 11 straight ... The Suns held a 51-34 rebounding advantage ... Charlotte shot 41.8 percent from the field ... Phoenix's Miles Plumlee pulled down a game-high 11 boards.