Suns collapse in the fourth, Dallas wins 105-98
(AP Photo/Paul Connors) The best way to describe Sunday’s game at USAC it’s probably to begin with the end, as Dallas came back in the fourth quarter from a 14-point deficit to beat Phoenix 105-98.
A 16-0 Dallas run left the Suns with no answers. Phoenix scored 2 points in eight minutes during the fourth quarter missing 12 straight shots before Stoudemire scored a couple on a dunk with 3:40 left in the game. The Suns scored 9 points in the final quarter, anyway.
“I thought we did well other than that, good rhythm, everything was good and for whatever reason the lights went out and we couldn’t get it back on” said Coach D’Antoni trying to explain the 4th quarter collapse.
A game that started with (positive) answers left the Suns with plenty of questions against a stiff Mavs defense.
“The good thing is with Phoenix, you can be up 14 or down 14 and you’re always in the game” in the (scary) words of Dirk Nowitzki who had an outstanding game with 32 points and 12 rebounds.
Jason Kidd scored 8 points, added 7 assists and above all had 4 steals and 4 blocked shots in leading the Mavs defense.
Amaré Stoudemire led the Suns with 31 points (12-for-26 shooting). Steve Nash had 14 points (4-of-17 from the field), 10 assists, 5 turnovers and shot 0-for-6 in the final quarter. The Suns also had 15 points from Diaw and 13 points and 13 boards from Shaq.
The Suns began the game well with Stoudemire and Shaq controlling the boards and 5 consecutive points from Giriceck to lead 28-26 after one.
It was an up and down game all night but the Suns looked clearly in control when Bell hit a 3-pointer to give them a 61-52 lead that Phoenix held until the end of the third (89-78). Then the fourth quarter began.
If you asked, a couple of months ago, which team made the best deal at the deadline last February, Dallas with Kidd or the Suns with Shaq, almost everyone would have, without hesitation, proclaimed the Mavs as winners. After 20-some games, Dallas going 1-11 vs winning teams (2-11 after beating the Suns) and Phoenix starting to play well one had to believe it was the Suns making the best possible deal.
A more in depth analysis will confirm that with Kidd, Dallas lost some of its rhythm on offense but has become a much better defensive team. One could state the opposite for the Suns with Shaq. Balance is what great teams are all about and the Suns don’t have that, yet.
Both teams will have to be judged in the Playoffs anyway which is not very comforting indeed, as Phoenix is still struggling against the best teams in the League.
Phoenix failed to clinch a playoff spot, but with the magic number down to one, thanks to the Warriors losing in New Orleans, the Suns (51-26) will go for it on Tuesday night (5 PM) in Memphis. The Suns are now sixth in the West and 1 1/2 behind the Lakers in the Division.
Yours truly, Steve Fan
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by Steve Fan
Blogger and Steve Nash enthusiast. Don't get in his way, he'll MVP your ass.
http://sonsofstevenash.blogspot.com
(3 votes, avg: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Related Articles:
Man did this loss hurt…..still trying to figure out where it all went wrong…
Maybe a win in San Antonio on Wednesday could ease the pain..