Final
With postseason out of reach, Suns visit Grizzlies
Apr 9, 2009 - 8:54 PM By Kate Hedlin Stats WriterPhoenix (43-35) at Memphis (22-56) 8:00 p.m. EDT
MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns won't be in the playoffs this season. They'll have to settle for trying to take advantage of a soft closing stretch as they look to finish up strong.
After having their four-year streak of postseason appearances snapped, the Suns begin playing out their schedule as they go for their 11th straight win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday night when Dallas defeated Utah. Beginning with the 1988-89 season, the Suns (43-35) had only missed the playoffs twice before falling short this season.
"It's very disappointing but the good thing about America is you can always come back and try again," said center Shaquille O'Neal, who had reached the playoffs every season since missing them as a rookie with Orlando in 1992-93.
O'Neal finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds for his 29th double-double of the season in Phoenix's 105-100 win over New Orleans on Wednesday. Steve Nash led the Suns with 24 points and 13 assists and made six key free throws in the final 43 seconds.
Phoenix had allowed opponents to average 118.5 points in the previous eight games.
"We could have mailed it in," forward Grant Hill said. "We got down early but we kept our composure."
Seven of Phoenix's previous nine games have come against postseason-bound teams. The Suns' final four contests should be decidedly easier, as they face Memphis (22-56) twice along with Minnesota and Golden State.
Phoenix's win streak over the Grizzlies is at 10 after it took the first two meetings this season. The Suns won the most recent matchup 101-89 at Memphis on December 30 behind 24 points and 13 rebounds from O'Neal.
The Grizzlies, looking to surpass their 22-win totals from each of the last two seasons, fell 81-78 to Orlando on Wednesday for their second straight loss. Memphis led by eight going into the fourth quarter but the Magic went on a 19-7 run to take control.
Rudy Gay scored 18 points while O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley each added 17 for Memphis.
"It's something to build on," coach Lionel Hollins said. "I just told the team, you took the fourth-best team in the West (in Portland), and the third-best team in the East, back-to-back, right down to the wire."
Hollins is especially happy with how Conley has stepped up. The second-year point guard is averaging 10.9 points and 4.2 assists this season and 16.1 points in the last 18 games.
"He's going to be the engine (that drives the team)," Hollis said. "He is the guy that is going to run the team in the future."
Conley has scored just two points in 44 minutes over two games against the Suns this season, going 0-for-11 from the field.
The Grizzlies have lost five in a row at home to the Suns since a 91-87 victory December 17, 2005.
- NBA
PHOENIX 89
MEMPHIS 106 FINAL
Apr 10 10:23 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 68
MEMPHIS 84 END, 3RD QTR
Apr 10 9:48 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 47
MEMPHIS 55 HALFTIME
Apr 10 9:09 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 27
MEMPHIS 23 END, 1ST QTR
Apr 10 8:35 PM
Related News
- 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
- 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
- The Phoenix Suns have gone ice-cold from beyond the arc at a time when they can’t afford to do so Dec 23
- Suns vs Kings Final Score: The Kings break the Suns, 120-105 Dec 23