Suns blow away Hawks

Discussion in 'Phoenix Suns' started by Dissonance19, Jan 30, 2008.

  1. Dissonance19

    Dissonance19 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>A year ago Tuesday, Phoenix's franchise-record 17-game winning streak had just ended.

    All the Suns did Tuesday night was beat another East weakling for a modest three-game winning streak. So why do they feel just as good as a year ago?

    Phoenix's 125-92 drubbing of Atlanta at US Airways Center was more than just the Suns' biggest blowout of the season. It was more than a win that tied the Suns with New Orleans for the No. 1 spot in the West. It was a game in which all the defense, consistency and chemistry they have sought came together.

    Measuring by shooting percentage, the Suns had their best offensive (64.2 percent) and defensive (34.3 percent) performances of the season. Measuring by intangibles, it was some of the best teamwork, hustle and enjoyment that Phoenix has exhibited this season.

    "I feel like we're having more fun, playing better, playing more consistently," said Suns guard Steve Nash, who got to sit out the fourth quarter with Amaré Stoudemire and Shawn Marion. "We're problem-solving better on the fly, and our chemistry is improving."

    What a difference an All-NBA center makes. Stoudemire did not play in the Nov. 7 loss at Atlanta, where the Hawks looked more athletic with a switching, long defense.

    On Tuesday, Stoudemire had 22 points in the first half on 9-of-10 shooting but stood out more for a locked-in defensive effort that unraveled Atlanta early. The Hawks missed 27 of their first 32 shots.

    "That's all I want to talk about now is defense," Stoudemire said.

    Amen, said the choir of Suns fans. The Suns defense that had held opponents to 33.3 percent fourth-quarter shooting in the previous five games did not need to step it up late Tuesday, because it put the clamps on Atlanta from the tipoff. After helping Chicago miss 13 of its first 14 shots Sunday, the Suns held Atlanta to fewer first-half points (33) than any opponent had posted in a half this season.

    "Right from the beginning, our defense was good and kind of took their heart away," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.</div>
     

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