Suns-Pacers: Suns Win in OT Without Nash, Hill

(AP Photo) During the course of the long basketball season there are a few days like yesterday for an NBA team when the news just kept coming.

Earlier in the day Grant Hill, feeling ill, checked in the hospital where it was discovered he had to undergo an appendectomy. Surgery was successful but he’s expected to be out two to three weeks. That will end one of the longest period of health in Grant’s recent career. Let’s hope Hill will recover soon. Get Well Grant !

A bit later Steve Nash left the game with stomach flu after 20 minutes and he didn’t travel to Utah for tonights game against the Jazz. His conditions should be evaluated again this morning.

A couple of hours later the Suns came back from a poorly first half and a 16-point deficit (with 5 minutes left in the Third) to beat the Pacers 129-122 in overtime.

The Suns improved as the game progressed. “Every quarter was better and the energy was good” coach Mike D’Antoni told the press after the game.

It was the first OT game the Suns played this season and the Suns won as Bell sank two key three-pointers in the last 2 minutes of the game. Raja, coming back from a recent flu, scored 27 points (grabbed 9 rebound) on 6-of-11 3-point shooting.

Marion (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Stoudemire (25, 11) had great games for the Suns while Barbosa scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half of the game.

After the game the Suns (25-10) flew (pronounce it like flu) to Utah where they’ll play the struggling Jazz (19-17) tonight (8:30 PM).

Yours truly, Steve Fan