Final
Raptors-Suns Preview
Nov 14, 2009 - 8:50 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior WriterToronto (5-4) at Phoenix (8-2), 8:00 p.m. EDT
The Phoenix Suns' strong play has been surprising to some. Another win over the Toronto Raptors, however, would hardly be unexpected.
The Suns, coming off their worst game during what has been an otherwise terrific start, look to beat the Raptors for the 11th straight time Sunday night.
Expectations weren't very high after Phoenix (8-2) missed the playoffs last season. The Suns, though, have been one of the league's biggest early surprises, with their only losses coming against last summer's NBA finalists.
Phoenix fell 121-102 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. It lost 122-100 to Orlando on Nov. 4.
"Well two weeks ago we weren't supposed to make the playoffs," point guard Steve Nash said of the Suns' critics. "You know, our team needs to look at this as a project. We are just trying to get better every day, and I think we are improving."
Phoenix had its worst shooting game of the season versus the Lakers, making 36.5 percent of its attempts after hitting at least 45.5 percent in each of its first nine contests.
Still, Phoenix scored 100 points in its first 10 games for the first time since a 12-game run to start the 1990-91 season. The Suns seem likely to extend that run Sunday.
Phoenix has won 10 in a row over Toronto (5-4), averaging 118.2 points and shooting 52.2 percent, since a 101-94 home loss Feb. 10, 2004. The Raptors have also struggled defensively this season, giving up 106.4 points per game.
Toronto has had a particularly tough time trying to stop Amare Stoudemire in recent years. The Suns' big man averaged 28.0 points and shot 65.3 percent in his last three games against the Raptors.
Stoudemire, though, is coming off his worst game of the season, going 2 for 15 from the field and finishing with eight points. Stoudemire and his teammates may have run out of gas in their seventh game in 10 days.
"We are going to try to get our proper rest and get ready for these big games moving forward," Stoudemire said.
Toronto began a four-game road trip on the right foot, beating the Clippers 104-89 on Friday night.
Chris Bosh had yet another big game for the Raptors with 21 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The four-time All-Star is averaging 28.0 points and 11.8 rebounds.
Marco Belinelli again gave Toronto a boost off the bench, scoring a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
The third-year guard is 11 for 22 from 3-point range.
"Guys from the bench are very important. We have to ... be ready to be aggressive and that's what I do," Belinelli said.
He helped the Raptors reach 100 points for the eighth time in nine games. They are averaging 107.7 points compared to the Suns' 111.3.
- NBA
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TORONTO 33 20 26 21 100
PHOENIX 31 19 27 24 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: TOR - CHRIS BOSH 25, HEDO TURKOGLU 20, ANDREA
BARGNANI 17
PHO - AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE 30, STEVE NASH 23,
CHANNING FRYE 20
Nov 15 10:23 PM - NBA
TORONTO 79
PHOENIX 77 END, 3RD QTR
Nov 15 9:47 PM - NBA
TORONTO 53
PHOENIX 50 HALFTIME
Nov 15 9:06 PM - NBA
TORONTO 33
PHOENIX 31 END, 1ST QTR
Nov 15 8:32 PM
Related News
- Toronto Raptors Reportedly Trade Pascal Siakam to Indiana Pacers Jan 17
- Should we be worried that people with the Phoenix Suns can “feel the frustration with Durant”? Dec 26
- Suns vs. Mavs Final Score: Phoenix continues to struggle, lose 128-114 to Dallas Dec 26
- Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (14-15) vs. Mavs Post Game Podcast Dec 26
- Open Thread: Mavericks vs. Suns Dec 25
- Game Preview: Struggling Suns face struggling Mavericks in Christmas Day showdown Dec 25
- Stephen’s Study: Scouting Udoka Azubuike’s minutes against the Sacramento Kings Dec 25
- The Beal gamble isn’t paying off Dec 24
- Suns Week 9 Stock Exchange: Udoka gives us hope while coaching and three-point shooting do not Dec 24
- Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz Final: 126-119 — Raptors lose third straight Dec 23
- Suns Injury Update: Bradley Beal wants to be ready to go for Christmas Dec 23
- Vogel: “I’m not doing a good enough job in making sure [Eric Gordon]’s involved in the offense” Dec 23