Suns’ sweep season series with Pacers: By the numbers
Jan 31, 2014, 4:57 AM | Updated: 4:57 am
Eight days removed from their 124-100 statement victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns traveled to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in search of a series sweep over the NBA’s best team.
The task wasn’t an easy one, considering both the revenge element and the fact that Phoenix was completing a four-game, five-night road trip.
Nonetheless, the Suns raced out to a 17-point first-quarter lead, put up 66 points by halftime and hung on for dear life over the final few minutes, knocking off the Pacers by a final of 102-94.
The win pushed Phoenix to 10 games above .500 and capped off a perfect 4-0 road trip.
Here’s a look back at the eight-point win by the numbers:
0:
Coming into the night, Indiana averaged 11.5 fastbreak points per contest. In the loss, the Pacers failed to score even one point in transition.
1:
With the victory Thursday, the Suns became the first team this season to beat the Pacers twice.
2:
Phoenix’s 102-point effort marked only the second time all season the Pacers gave up more than 100 points at home.
The loss also marked Indiana’s second all season in front of its home fans.
4:
In a losing effort, Pacers guard Lance Stephenson scored 14 points to go along with 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Stephenson leads the NBA with four triple-doubles in 2013-14.
6.9
While all five starters were in double figures for Indiana, the Suns held the Pacers to a season-low 1-of-15 from downtown. On the flipside, Phoenix connected on 8-of-17 three-point shots.
The Suns’ 28-18 record is the franchise’s best since starting 33-13 in 2007-08.
In desperate need of solid bench production, the Suns received just that in the form of Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Leandro Barbosa.40:
The trio combined for 40 points, 13 assists and five assists.
44.5:
Only two starters scored in double figures for the Suns Thursday. Not surprisingly it was the dynamic backcourt of Goran Dragic and Gerald Green. The duo, who combined for 44 points in the win, averaged 44.5 points per game during the four-game road swing.
2010:
Before Thursday, the last time Phoenix swept a road trip of at least four games was Jan. 31 – Feb. 10, 2010.
That season, the Suns used a hot second half to get all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
