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Phoenix Suns hold off late Bucks rally to beat Milwaukee
AZ Central.com
7, 2012 10:46 PM MILWAUKEE – Steve Nash's 38th birthday began Tuesday morning with a man in a pink gorilla suit serenading him while playing a guitar at the Suns' breakfast meeting. That act was hard to top, but Nash pulled it off, …
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phoenix suns – Google News

RT @SteveNash I can’t believe all the bday love from you good hearted people! When you give you shall receive so keep your hands up today!

Here’s the slate of BSOS love:

• Steve Nash is 38 and Awesome-Seth
• Steve Nash is the best Sun Ever-Ray
• Steve Nash is more than a baller-Wil
• Steve Nash hasn’t given up-PHXGp

Let’s go get two in a row, y’all

Bright Side Of The Sun

www.nbacircle.com Now! Free NBA Jersey. Toronto Raptors 99 – 96 Phoenix Suns NBA Highlights Tuesday 24 January 2012 NBA Game Recap Andrea Bargnani’s return provided the Toronto Raptors with the lift to end two losing streaks—one that had lasted two weeks, the other eight years. Bargnani, absent for six games with a left calf strain, scored 27 of his 36 points in the second half, and the Toronto Raptors snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating Phoenix 99-96 on Tuesday night, their first win over the Suns in eight years. The Raptors had lost 14 in a row to Phoenix, last beating the Suns on Feb. 10, 2004. It was tied for the third-longest active streak of its kind in the NBA. Bargnani scored 18 in the third, one shy of his career best for a quarter, making 4 of 5 3-pointers. “I didn’t do anything different from the first quarter because I was pretty aggressive in the first quarter too, I just didn’t score,” he said. “Jose (Calderon) told me to shoot from the outside because I was just driving the ball and everybody was waiting for me. They found me open and they went in. it was all good. `’ Former Suns star Leandro Barbosa scored 19 and James Johnson 18 for the Raptors. Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Steve Nash had 17 points and 14 assists for the Suns. Hakim Warrick also scored 17 points. Phoenix was back from a five-game road trip that ended the previous night with a loss at Dallas. “Obviously we were struggling for energy and I think that was the …
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Boston.com

Phoenix Suns 107, Milwaukee Bucks 105 — Birthday boy big shot
Valley of the Suns
But after the Suns blew a 21-point second-half lead, the 38-year-old birthday boy saved the day as he banked home a six-foot runner with five seconds remaining to give the Suns a 107-105 advantage. Phoenix then double-teamed Stephen Jackson off of a …
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phoenix suns – Google News

Happy Birthday, Steve Nash, you hit the game winner tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks.

How fitting.

The Phoenix Suns were 35-5 against the Milwaukee Bucks since the ’91-’92 season entering tonight’s game. It looked as though they were in for their 36th W after two quarters of play when something typical happened. After scoring 67 points in the first half, the Suns suddenly lost momentum, putting up 40 in the final two quarters while giving up 55 to the Bucks.

What should have been an easy road win turned out to be a nailbiter for the Phoenix Suns. But none of that matters when it’s Steve Nash’s birthday.

In the first half the Suns were looking a bit like the 7SOL Suns. They ran, they made shots, they scored 67 points on 62% shooting. Michael Redd scored 12 while Nash went for 13 and 5. The Suns went 5-9 from beyond the arc and befuddled the Bucks for 24 minutes. Even the Suns’ defense stepped up, limiting the Bucks to 20 second quarter points.

But in the 3rd quarter, the Suns gave up runs of 12-0, 8-0, and 6-0. The Suns’ 17 point lead dwindled to 7 at the end of the third. In the fourth, the Bucks continued on a 17-2 run. The Suns helped the Bucks out by missing 9 of 10 field goal attempts in the first four minutes of the final stanza. Brandon Jennings took his second shot of the game, a 3, and promptly nailed it to give the Bucks a 3 point lead.

Of course it was Nashty to the rescue for the Phoenix Suns. After an incredible save off a Channing Frye block, Nash hit a running 3 to give the Suns a 2 point lead. After 2 Bucks free throws, the game was tied with 5 ticks left on the clock.

Enter the Nashty who drove to to the right side of the hoop for a running 6 footer. GAME OVER. A fitting climax to what must have been one of the happiest 38th birthdays in recent history. Thank you, Steve Nash

Worth Noting

• Josh Childress: 12 rebounds, 3 assists in 16 minutes. Just watch the guy. He’s everywhere, a pest with a nose for the ball. We may just get our money’s worth out of this guy. Hopefully
• Jared Dudley: 7-9 from the field, 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
• Marcin Gortat 21 and 9
• Channing Frye: 14 points, 5 rebounds on 6-12 shooting
• Grant Hill: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
• Michael Redd: 14 points, 4 rebounds on 7-14 shooting in 20 minutes of play.
• Phoenix Suns: 48 points in the paint against 22 Buck points in the paint

Thoughts, Opinions, Observations

It’s never nice to lose a 19 point lead and have to eke out a W in the final seconds. But any win on the road is a good win. The Bucks were 7-3 on their home court, and even if Scott Skiles refused to let Brandon Jennings take a shot (to prove some insane point or what have you), a W in the W column is sweet especially on the second night of back to backs.

The good news for the Suns is Josh Childress is contributing in that Lou Amundson kind of way. Getting his mitts on rebounds, playing D, being the dirtworker the second unit needs. But wait, there’s more good news! Channing Frye’s shot is starting to fall. And as many of you posted yesterday, when Frye hits shots, the Suns transform into a much better team. OH WAIT, there’s even more good news! Michael Freakin’ Redd is starting to gain confidence and hit shots. He’s 16-35 from the field in the last three games which is an incredible improvement. Even Robin Lopez is contributing without throwing any hissy fits.

Heck, if this continues, we might all start feeling a tad optimistic.

Enjoy, Suns fans, the Suns have won 3 in a row and return home with a score to settle against the Houston Rockets.

Quotable:

Steve Nash

“It was a pretty formidable win under pretty formidable circumstances.”

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Suns vs Bucks coverage

Suns vs Bucks preview

Brew Hoop

Quarter by Quarter Notes

1st

Drew Gooden scoring at will

Gortat feeling it

Bucks start off 7-12

Nash aggressive on offensive end

Every Sun starter has scored

Michael Redd enters to applause. No SO. Just applause

Suns 11-2 run in 2 minute span

“They’re cookin’” says Eddie Johnson, one of my personal idols.

Suns playing confident, with excellent pace

Redd cant play defense. no big surprise. Delfino makes him look like a statue

Morris and Chill enter. Flagrant on Gooden for being a dick. “meltdown effect,” says EJ. Totally

Redd could be a hero tonight, feeling comfy with the floor and rims in MIL.

Really thought Nash would go bald. I wish I had his hair. Not gonna lie.

Illysova drops 35 footer to end quarter. Suns 34-30, shooting 64% from field.

2nd

Lopez and Bassy two man game pays off with Lopez hook

Redd clearly finding his stroke with smooth 2

Chill picking up all the loose balls. 5 boards in 5 minutes

More Redd with a 10 footer off the boards

More Redd with a 15 footer, Suns bench going nuts. Leading scoreers w 10

Bucks not making shots and not getting second chances.

More Redd, more Redd, MORE REDD! SUNS UP BY 12

Leander calls Stephen Jackson “salty,” which is a really dumb way to say the guy is pissed. Anyway, the guy is acting like a dick which is no surprise.

Redd shooting at will bricks a 3. Slow it down Miachael.

Bucks look angry. Here comes the run.

Bucks on 10-2 run (see I called it!)

Starters back in.

Frye hits 3.

Leander points out Nash shares birthday with Ashton Kutcher. uh, who cares?

Nash hits, 6-7. 15-19 in two games thus far.

Gortat bucket, Suns have scored 60 in first half. A good sign

Bucks looking confused on D

I hate commercials

Frye’s shot is very very close to being normal. This is good for the Suns

Dudley 2 brings Suns lead to 17

Frye insane tip in from about 10 ft away off Hill miss

Can Suns hit 70? 65 in the second with 28 ticks left

Suns 67-50 at half, shooting 62% from the field.

3rd

Gortat gathers Dudz miss for dunk, suns up by 19

More Gortat, lefty hook Suns by 21

8-0 run by Bucks

Suns respond with 6-0 run on Hill layup off Mil TO.

Bucks on 6-0 run, 86-73 Suns

Chill all over the boards. 10 mts, 10 boards

Bucks 12-0 run 88-81 Suns

Lots of sighs, here we go again.

31-21 Bucks in 3rd

4th

Momentum shift, 17-2 run by Bucks going back to 3rd quarter

Dunleavy with 2nd 3, Suns up 90-89

Lopez 20 foot brick? Why?

Jackson 3, 92-90 Bucks 7+ mts left

Bucks can’t miss now

Suns 1/10 from field in first 4 mts of 4th

J Chill is everywhere on the bright side

Anyone want an 11 year old cat?

Dudz 3 94-93 Mil

Suns cant hit a shot

Frye in at crunch time hits long 2.

Dudz 3, Suns up 98-96 with 4 mts left

Jennings second shot of the game a 3, 101-98 Bucks

Frye block Nash incredible save, Nash hits 3, 103-101 with 2 mt left

I hate my job

Gortat 2 Suns 105-103 1.21 left

Mil with 4 tries at a basket hit two FT’s 105 all, 44.7 left

Hill miss, Suns off rebound. TO Suns 20.2 left

Nash hits driving layup 107-105 with 5 ticks left. HAPPY FREAKIN B-DAY!

Bucks cant get a shot off. GAME OVER MAN! SUNS WIN

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NBA 2011-2012: Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics (2012.01.20) (HD) Full Game (HD 720p): www.filesonic.com Enjoy and subscribe to my channel for more games in HD Quality!
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Bleacher Report

Phoenix Suns (10-14) at Milwaukee Bucks (10-13), 8 pm (ET)
MiamiHerald.com
By Sports Network The Phoenix Suns look to continue their dominance over the Milwaukee Bucks when the two clubs collide tonight at the Bradley Center. The Suns won the first matchup of the season by a 109-93 score on Jan.
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Phoenix Suns 99, Atlanta Hawks 90 — Frye's shot returns
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phoenix suns – Google News

www.nbacircle.com Now! Free NBA Jersey. Phoenix Suns 77 – 93 Dallas Mavericks NBA Highlights Monday 23 January 2012 NBA Game Recap Dallas Mavericks are looking for offense to make up for the absence of top scorer Dirk Nowitzki and key reserve Vince Carter. Shawn Marion came through with a season-high 29 points and the Mavericks stretched their home winning streak to seven games with a 93-87 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. “My teammates were looking for me,” Marion said. “I’ve been able to do a lot of different things on the floor.” Marion, who entered with five 3-pointers all season, went 4 of 6 from behind the arc and 11 for 20 from the field. Marion is averaging 19.3 points over his last four games, helping make up for the loss of Nowitzki (17.5 points per game) and Carter (9.5 ppg). “Shawn was great,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “A lot of plays he made were very timely. … We needed someone to step up.” Ian Mahinmi chipped in with 17 points and nine rebounds for the defending NBA champion Mavericks (11-7), who returned home from a 2-2 road trip. “This was one of those games when we felt we needed that spark,” Mahinmi said. “When you come off the bench, you bring that energy, and we got the starters going again.” Nowitzki missed his second game in what has been projected as a four-game stretch to work on his conditioning and allow his sore right knee to improve. Carter sat out his fourth consecutive game with a sprained left foot. Carlisle said …
Video Rating: 5 / 5

The Phoenix Suns got a much needed win over the Atlanta Hawks on the road to improve their record to 10-14. The Hawks lose their third game straight, and their fourth consecutive game to the Suns to drop to 16-9 so far on the season. This was the Suns’ second win in a row after beating the Charlotte Bobcats at home on Saturday night. The Suns appear to be playing with more confidence on both the starting and the second units, and head coach Alvin Gentry seems to have finally found the right fit to maximize chemistry and production on each of them.

Steve Nash led the Suns with 24 points and 11 assists, and Channing Frye pitched in with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Markieff Morris also had a very efficient and effective game tonight scoring 7 points with 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Marcin Gortat had an unusually quiet night tonight and seemed to be a bit off of his game. He only tallied 8 points and 9 rebounds tonight, ending the15 game double-digit rebounding streak that he and Kevin Love had been tied for as the league leaders.

As for Atlanta, Josh Smith led the Hawks with 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Joe Johnson was held to 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Atlanta struggled to find any scoring help from anyone off the bench besides Willie Green, and although Jeff Teague got off to a nice start in the game in the first quarter he fell quiet the rest of the night.

Read on after the jump for more on the Suns win.

Keys to tonight’s victory:

- Steve Nash is simply amazing. He opted to score more than he usually does tonight and registered 24 points off only 9-12 shooting and 11 assists. Happy 38th birthday tomorrow to the best player to ever wear a Suns uniform!

- Channing Frye had his best game of the season tonight scoring 19 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. He shot the ball fairly well from three tonight going 3-8, but many of his points were scored inside as well. We need more of this from Frye. Very nice game tonight.

- Sebastian Telfair and the rest of the bench were great. The 2nd unit appears to be developing some real chemistry together as they logged between 12-20 minutes of playing time each. Telfair ran the 2nd unit with 9 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds tonight in his 17 minutes of play. Solid numbers for Bassy!

- Grant Hill only scored 2 points tonight, but he once again took on the opposing team’s best player in Joe Johnson and limited him to 17 points on 6-13 shooting. In the game preview earlier today I mentioned that the Suns would need to hold JJ to under 20 points tonight to get the win (pats self on back), Grant did that and was definitely one of the unsung heroes of the evening.

This was one of those games where everything was working for the suns tonight, except for Marcin Gortat who struggled from the field with only 8 points on 4-10 shooting and only grabbed 9 rebounds. Despite the lack of production from their most consistent player besides Nash, the Suns were able to out play the Hawks in nearly every aspect of the game, and at nearly every position as well. For more about what happened, have a look through the game notes below:

Game Notes:

First Quarter:

Frye hits a jumper and then a three to start the game…First five points to Channing!

Grant guarding Joe Johnson as expected

Nash with a three!

Josh Smith going to work now on Frye….also as expected

Dudley with a three.

Suns now 3-4 from beyond the arc to start the game

Frye with another make…Already has 7 points.

Teague with a SAVAGE dunk after getting free from Nash and then Frye

Teague putting on a show now…another nice move on Nash to score in the paint.

Dudley with an and-1…Atta boy JD!

Score tied 16-16 midway through the first

Frye with a very weak move inside…Gets blocked

Nash still on the money…Now with 5 points 1 assist

Gortat with his first bucket of the night…Need to find him more when matched up with Zaza

Channing Frye blocks J-Smith!!! Yes, you read that right!

Get this…Frye with 4 rebounds for the Suns…The rest of the team 0.

Markieff subs in for Frye

Nash with another bucket…7 points 2 assists

Nash with a bounce-in 3! 10 points

Markieff with a block to force a 24 sec shot clock violation

Redd in for Dudley, who misses easy layup at the rim.

Suns lead 27-23 at the end of the 1^st quarter. Suns shooting 61%, Hawks 39%. Suns with 7rbs, Hawks with 14rbs. Suns with 4 TO’s, Hawks with 4 TO’s. Nash leading the Suns with 10 points, Josh Smith leads the Hawks with 6 points.

Second Quarter:

Telfair, Morris, Redd, Childress, Gortat in to start the second.

Ugly first possession for the Suns…Redd misses the basket by a mile.

Morris comes back to muscle in for a bucket

Redd with another miss, this time from three…this one looked better though.

Childress with a phenomenally athletic play on an offensive put back!

Michael Redd head fake and gets to the basket for his first basket of the game. Nice move!

Suns bench getting it done so far…Suns lead 33-25 with 8:50 left in the half

Morris with a block on Ivan Johnson…Then Robin gets the bucket down low!

Suns now have 5 blocks in the first half!

Telfair now blocks Teague…6 blocks and counting for the Suns!

Redd earns a trip to the line and sinks them both.

Telfair hits another jumper…Suns up 41-27 halfway through the 2^nd quarter!

CHILLY WITH THE OOP FROM BASSY!!!

This is the best I’ve ever seen the Suns bench play together this season…They are putting on a show!

Pachulia hits a jumper to end the Suns’ run

Lopez looking active again tonight…Misses the shot but gets his own rebound to keep it alive.

Telfair gets his 2^nd foul and Nash returns….Gentry also puts Dudley and Hill back in for Redd and Chill…But he leaves Robin and Morris with the first unit.

Morris fouls J-Smoove on the fast break…good foul to prevent the easy dunk

ATL starting to gain a little momentum…Suns still up 46-33 though with 3 minutes left in the 1^st half

Lopez with the athletic hook shot off a Nash assist…Robin must feel good to be playing with MVSteve again.

2 more free throws for Josh Smith to cut the Suns lead down to 10

Gortat and Frye come back…Gentry trying to hold onto the lead going into the half

JJ cuts the lead to 7…Frye with an up and down to turn the ball over again…Alley-oop to J-Smith. Hawks making their run

Steve Nash with a three at the buzzer to keep the Suns’ lead over the Hawks 55-48 at the half! Suns shooting 57%, Hawks shooting 40%. Suns with only 12 rebounds, Hawks with 24. Suns with 7 TO’s, Hawks with 6. Nash leads the Suns with 17 points & 3 assists. Josh Smith leads the Hawks with 13 points 5 rebounds.

Third Quarter:

Gortat with a poor first half…Only 2 points and 3 rebounds. Let’s see if he can get it going in the 2^nd.

JJ opens up the 3^rd with a basket…Frye answers with one of his own.

Frye with another 3!

Johnson with a three and then Josh Smith with another…Hawks closing the lead.

Gortat still can’t find the basket…

Nash with a three to save a sloppy offensive possession! Suns 7-13 from three so far.

Josh Smith abuses Frye for another basket inside.

Suns keeping a 7 point lead midway through the third. 67-60. Nash now with 20 points 5 assists

Radmonovic at center was the best thing the Suns could ask for!

Nice shot by Dudley to bring the lead to 9.

Nash with the layup high off the glass over J-Smith…Suns up by 11. Nash comes back with another jumper !

Nash with the beautiful behind the back pass to Gortat for an easy basket!

Nash is putting on an absolute clinic in every way. He now has 24 points and 7 assists with just over one minute left in the third quarter.

Morris, Redd, and Chill come in to join Nash and Gortat

Morris now hits a three as the buzzer sounds on the shot clock!

Gortat with the big time dunk…Where’ve you been?

Redd with the 3!!!

At the end of the 3^rd the Suns push the lead up to 20…84-64. Suns shooting 57%, Hawks 38%. Suns now with 36 rebounds, Hawks with 32. Suns with 8 TO’s, Hawks with 9. Nash leads everyone with 24 points and 10 assists. Josh Smith leads the Hawks with 18 points and 5 rebounds.

Fourth Quarter:

Telfair, Redd, Chill, Morris, and Gortat start the 4^th quarter.

Gortat with another missed jump shot…Not his game tonight. Maybe Gentry just waiting for him to get his 10^th rebound before allowing Lopez to close it out?

Morris with another jumper…7 points and 5 rebounds

Telfair skies for the offensive rebound…but Gortat with a moving screen to turn it over.

Lopez coming in for Gortat despite only having 9 rebounds so far

Lopez turns the ball over immediately…hmmm

Telfair with a three! Suns now shooting 53% from three with 9-17

Suns lead down to 14 points.

Telfair with a much needed basket! He is now 4-5 from the field so far with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists…What a game for Bassy!

Morris is eating up the boards right now…7 boards now to go with his 7 points and 3 blocks in 18 minutes of play. Solid game for Keef!

Redd with the big 3! Redd now has 10 points, his second consecutive game with double digit scoring. Suns up 94-75 with 5:39 to go in the game.

OMG! Jerry Stackhouse is checking in the game…You see this Scott Howard?

Suns have to be careful…the lead is down to 14 points. Will Gentry put Nash back in now?

Willie Green hits a 3 to bring the Suns lead down to 11 with 3:53 left to play in the game…The starters will be checking back in after the timeout.

Nash turns the ball over and Ivan Johnson has a thunderous dunk over Channing Frye.

Frye answers back with a 3, but Pargo answers back with a three of his own.

Hill with a miss but Frye with a put back dunk! Suns still up 11.

Suns close it out with a high quality win in Atlanta 99-90! Suns shoot 52%, Hawks 39%. Suns with 45 rebounds, Hawks with 35. Suns shoot 45% from three, Hawks 25%. Suns with 15 TO’s, Hawks 9.

Summary:

This was a much needed, quality win for the Suns who beat their fourth team with a winning record for the season. The Hawks were without Al Horford, but the Suns managed to win based off their energy and intensity even when Marcin Gortat had an off night. The story of the game was the play of Steve Nash and the production of the second unit. If the Suns can count on consistent production from their bench like this then they could compete with most of the teams in the league. I can’t help but notice that ever since Josh Childress has been freed from his spot on the bench the second unit has been playing much better overall. Coincidence? Who knows, but if it isn’t broke don’t fix it.

Let’s hope the Suns can get another win on the road tomorrow against the Milwaukee Bucks!

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