|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
PHOENIX (AP) -- After two close calls against Vancouver, the
Phoenix Suns finally got a blowout.
Jason Kidd needed only three quarters to get his fifth
triple-double of the season and Shawn Marion scored 23 points
Friday night as the Suns routed the Grizzlies 108-76.
|  | | Jason Kidd drives to his fifth triple-double of the season. |
In their first two meetings, Phoenix won by two points and six
points. Since then, the Grizzlies have altered their style of play
to a smaller lineup and a faster pace -- styles the Suns love.
"Anytime a team wants to run with us, my eyes get real wide,"
Kidd said.
Kidd, who sat out the fourth quarter, had 11 points, 14 assists
and 11 rebounds as the Suns opened an 83-56 lead after three
quarters. It was his second triple-double in seven games and the
36th of his career.
Tony Delk also scored 23 in the Suns' most lopsided victory of
the season.
"There were a lot of good things out there tonight," Phoenix
coach Scott Skiles said. "I thought our defensive intensity was
like it was back when we were 7-1. It's about time."
Kidd had five points, eight assists and five rebounds in the
third quarter when the Suns turned the game into a blowout.
"Jason can get a triple-double in 29 minutes and do it in a
quiet way," Skiles said. "It's hard to understand how that is
even possible, but it is with Jason. As a coach, you've got to be
careful not to take him for granted."
Marion, who also didn't play in the fourth quarter, was
10-for-13 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds in his best
offensive game since he scored a season-high 26 against the Los
Angeles Clippers on Nov. 25. He also harassed Michael Dickerson
into a 3-for-14 shooting night.
"This was one of his best games as a pro all around," Skiles
said.
Marion said the Suns were having fun again.
"We've been lacking that a little lately," he said. "We
needed that."
Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim each scored 14 for the
Grizzlies, who shot 31 percent from the field compared to 50
percent for Phoenix. Dickerson and Othella Harrington each scored
10.
"When one of your top scorers has an off night, usually one of
the other ones is on," Dickerson said. "But tonight pretty much
all of us were out of sync."
It was the biggest losing margin of the season for the
Grizzlies, who were coming off a homecourt victory over Charlotte
on Wednesday but have lost six of seven and 12 of 14.
"They were very aggressive," Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe said
of the Suns. "They used their quickness and athleticisim agaunst
us and we couldn't make plays."
Marion scored 17 and Delk 10 as the Suns led by as many as 15 in
the first half. Marion's two free throws with 1:15 to go in the
half put Phoenix up 48-33. Harrington's three-point play and Damon
Jones' layup cut it to 48-38, then Cliff Robinson sank two free
throws with 2.5 seconds to go to give the Suns a 50-38 lead at the
break.
Delk's three-point play on a slick fast-break pass from Kidd
capped a 13-1 run that gave the Suns a 71-47 lead with 5:39 left in
the third quarter.
Game
notes
The Suns waived point guard Elliot Perry to make room for
Penny Hardaway, who is expected to play Sunday against Minnesota.
... Suns' 7-foot-2 rookie Jake Tsakalidis scored a season-high 10
points and blocked three shots. ... Dickerson was 1-for-8 in the
first half, with his only basket a breakaway layup. ... The Suns
have won just six games by 10 points or more. ... Phoenix's
previous biggest winning margin was 26 against Portland in the
second game of the season. Vancouver's previous biggest loss was by
25 at New York on Nov. 27.
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
Phoenix Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 121
Seattle 89
Dallas 115
Toronto 105
Golden State 100
Boston 88
Denver 100
Utah 87
Phoenix 108
Vancouver 76
Portland 119
Milwaukee 115
Charlotte 86
LA Clippers 73
Indiana 93
Sacramento 91
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Mike Bibby Official Site
|
