Suns clinch playoffs spot with win in Memphis, 127-113
(AP Photo/Lance Murphey) Amaré Stoudemire, starting at center in place of the resting Shaq, scored 28 points (10-for-13 shooting) added 11 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the Suns past the Grizzlies 127-113 last night in Memphis.
Sandwiched between Dallas on Sunday San Antonio today and Houston on Friday, the only real danger of facing Memphis would have been a possible lack of focus and effort. “We really have to be professional and get a win even though it didn’t have a lot of playoff atmosphere.”, well said and done Steve who led the Suns to a solid day in office.
The game was what one could expect given the situation. Both teams played the minimum required defense (less than 40 fouls in the game), the Grizzlies shot 55.6 percent, led by Rudy Gay (36 points) while the Suns shot 56.5 percent.
Phoenix had 7 players in double figures with Bell scoring 18, Hill adding 17, Nash and Leandrinho with 16 each.
The Grizzlies attempted a come back late in the game led by Gay’s 16 points in the final quarter. Memphis pulled within eight points with just 2:34 left in the game but the Suns responded immediately to seal the win on Nash 3-pointer.
With the victory the Suns (52-26) finally clinched a playoffs spot and can now try to clinch fifth spot in the West by win at least 3 of the 4 remaining games. The key could be the game in Houston on Friday night.
The Suns are back in action tonight (6:30 PM) facing the Spurs in San Antonio. Always an interesting game.
Yours truly, Steve Fan
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Posted by Steve Fan
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