Suns (3-1) Dominate Bobcats to Begin Southeast Trip

(Photo: Chuck Burton/Associated Press)
The Phoenix Suns beat, well actually crushed, the Charlotte Bobcats 115-83 to improve their season record to 3-1. The Suns were always in control of this game as they outscored Charlotte in each quarter of the game. Phoenix played very good defence, especially in the first half holding the Bobcats scoreless for almost 5 minutes in the second quarter. Suns shot an excellent 50% (45-90) from the field while Charlotte had to settle for a not so good 36.6% (30-82). The good defensive effort is also confirmed by the Bobcats’ 22 turnovers (to the Suns’ 9 by the way).

Marion (16 PTS, 11 R), Barbosa and Bell with 16 each - with Raja a solid 4 of 9 from 3-point - had very good games but a special mention has to go to the Suns’ centers: still playing without Amaré, point-center Boris Diaw scored 15 points with 5 boards and 11 (yes, eleven) assists while Shawn Marks scored 13 points (5-7 from the field) in 16 minutes of play.
Starting center Stoudemire could come back as early as tonight in Atlanta (5 PM) but, especially after last night’s game will probably get another couple of days off before facing Shaq and Zo in Miami on Friday night.

On a final positive note, D.J. and Alando had their NBA debuts with Tucker scoring the first basket of his pro career, hopefully first of a long series.

It was the kind of performance everyone was expecting from the Suns: good defense, lot of scoring in transition, 8 players in double figures and a solid contribution from the bench. Overall, a step forward in getting the Suns in shape.

Yours truly, Steve Fan

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