Rockets “out-hustle” Suns 101-90. Phoenix now 6th in the West
(Associated Press Photo) Tracy McGrady scored 22 points, added 7 assists and 6 rebounds to lead the Rockets past the Suns 101-90 on Friday night as Houston continued its amazing season without Yao Ming.
Luis Scola had 19 points and 5 rebounds rebounds but it was the Rockets’ reserves making the real difference. Five Houston bench players had more than 10 minutes in the game and Jackson, Novak, Landry, Hayes and Brooks combined for 42 points, 16 rebounds and 1 turnover.
Stoudemire led the Suns with 37 points and 11 boards while Shaq added 16 points and 11 rebounds of his own. Nash had 9 assists and 6 rebounds but scored only 6 points on 2-for-9 from the field.
Raja, Nash and Grant Hill combined for only 11 points and 4-for-21 shooting in a real bad outing.
The Suns shot 46.1 percent from the field but committed too many turnovers allowing the Rockets some easy baskets.
The Rockets led 59-47 at the half and kept the game in control the rest of the way. Houston committed only 5 turnovers in the game while shooting over 51 percent.
The Rockets won because they wanted it more than the Suns and were ready to work for that goal.
Checking post-game quotes it’s clear the Suns were short on energy and focus:
“They out-hustled us and it is never great when you get out-hustled” (Steve Nash)
“They played hard and went after all the loose balls and were more physical than us” (Coach D’Antoni)
“I don’t really know. They had better energy and they just wanted it more” (Raja Bell)
As a fan I hate when the Suns lose like that !
The loss left the Suns (53-27) sixth in the Western Conference, a position that could mean a first round meeting with the Spurs. I could be wrong but I feel like Coach D’Antoni would prefer playing the Spurs instead of the Lakers in round one.
With 80 games played in the regular season the Suns will complete the home schedule by hosting the Warriors on Monday (7 PM) and the Blazers on Wednesday (7 PM).
Yours truly, Steve Fan
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Posted by Steve Fan
Blogger and Steve Nash enthusiast. Don't get in his way, he'll MVP your ass.
http://sonsofstevenash.blogspot.com
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