PHOENIX SUNS

By the numbers: Phoenix Suns can’t hold on to lead late in Memphis

Jan 11, 2014, 4:20 AM | Updated: 5:58 am

The Phoenix Suns went into halftime leading by seven Friday in Memphis. The Grizzlies closed the gap and the two teams entered the fourth period at 74-74, but the Suns took the lead early in the final quarter and didn’t let up — that is, until Memphis point guard Mike Conley hit a 3-pointer to break an 88-88 tie with 3:31 left in the game.

The Grizzlies held on for a 104-99 win at the FedEx Forum. Phoenix dropped to 21-14 on the season, and 1-2 on its current five-game road trip.

Here’s a look at Friday’s contest by the numbers:

3

Memphis is now 3-0 against the Suns in the 2013-14 campaign. The Grizzlies have won by an average of 10.7 points in those contests. The two teams will face each other one more time this year: On April 14 at US Airways Center — the Suns second-to-last game of the season.

4

Newly signed guard Leandro Barbosa scored just four points in 22 minutes on 2-of-7 shooting. against the Grizzlies. He added two rebounds and a steal, but is still coming along slowly in his return to Phoenix.

Goran Dragic tied his season high Friday with four 3-pointers, shooting 6-of-10 overall from the field and posting 21 points and eight assists.

5

Rookie center Alex Len played five minutes, scoring two points on 1-of-3 shooting, grabbing three rebounds and blocking one shot. It was his third game in a row since returning from a sore left ankle that he had surgery on last year. The most minutes has has played in this current run is 12, which happened Wednesday against Minnesota.

6

The Suns’ loss didn’t come from being careless with the ball. The team only turned it over six times Friday. Memphis held on to the ball well, too, losing the ball nine times.

10

Starting power forward Channing Frye launched 10 three-pointers, only hitting two of them. He just shot 4-for-15 overall and finished with 10 points. He did, however, contribute two blocks on the defensive end.

17

Grizzlies backup forward Ed Davis appears to really like playing against the Suns. He grabbed 17 rebounds, blocked three shots and scored 10 points at FedExForum. In three games against Phoenix this season, Davis is averaging 15.6 points, 13.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 67.8 percent from the field — numbers all much higher than what he’s averaging on the year.

Backup forward Markieff Morris was the Suns’ second-leading scorer with 17 Friday. He shot 7-for-17 from the field and grabbed four rebounds and made one 3-pointer. It was his 10th game of 15 or more points this season.

31

Conley torched the Suns for 31 points at the FedEx Forum on 11-of-19 shooting. He also added seven assists, made three of out seven 3-pointers and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.

48.8%

The Grizzlies shot a hot 48.8 percent, including making six out of 15 shots (40 percent) from downtown. The Suns, meanwhile, shot just 41.3 percent from the field, including 11-for-30 (36.7 percent) on 3-pointers.

52

The Suns were killed in the paint, giving up 52 points down low to the Grizzlies. In turn, Phoenix was only able to manage 32 points in the lane.

53

Rebounding continues to be problematic for Phoenix. Memphis, which was without starting center Marc Gasol, outrebounded the Suns 53-44 Friday. Davis led the team with 17 boards, while Zach Randolph grabbed 13 — to go with his 20 points.

104

With 104 points against Phoenix, the Grizzlies became the 20th team to score 100 or more on the Suns in their 35 games. The Suns are .500 (10-10) when their opponent reaches the 100-point mark.

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