PHOENIX SUNS

Suns, Dragic outlast Pelicans at home: By The Numbers

Mar 1, 2014, 7:04 AM | Updated: 7:04 am

On Friday, the Phoenix Suns snapped a three-game losing streak just two days after losing by 23 points.

Goran Dragic, who was sidelined for the previous game, could have been the difference.

The Suns’ star set his second career high of the week in his return to the court against the New Orleans Pelicans, which resulted in a 116-104 win for his team.

Here’s a closer look at the win, by the numbers:

0.3

Less than 1 percent separated the two teams when it came to field goal percentage on Friday, as the Suns logged a 54.1 percent clip from the floor and the Pelicans went 53.8 percent.

1

With No. 1 back on the floor for the Suns, the team looked much more complete Friday. In fact, when Dragic is playing, the Suns average 109.8 points per 100 possessions. When he’s on the bench, the team’s per-100 possession scoring drops to 98.8 points.

4

The Morris brothers, who poured in a combined 33 points for the Suns (18 – Markieff; 15 – Marcus) blocked four shots on the night — as many as Anthony Davis and the Pelicans had as a team.

6

In 24 minutes on the floor, Suns guard Ish Smith dished a game-high six assists on Friday, adding 10 points, a steal, and a pair of rebounds to the effort. Smith was 4-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the line.

14

Suns starting point guard Dragic — who was a game-time decision Friday, due to a lingering right ankle sprain — hit 14 of his 21 shots from the field in a game-high 42 minutes.

32

Davis, who, like Dragic, was a game-time decision Friday, tallied 32 points and came one rebound shy of recording a double-double.

48

A committee from the Suns bench including Marcus and Markieff Morris, Ish Smith and Archie Goodwin combined for 48 of the Suns’ 116 points on Friday. The Pelicans bench managed just 26.

118

The Suns have played on ESPN four times this season. In those four games, Dragic has scored a total of 122 points, including Friday’s 40-point effort and Sunday’s 35-pointer against the Houston Rockets.

2010

Dragic’s 40-point night is the first such effort by a Suns player since March 19, 2010, when Amar’e Stoudemire had 44.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

10 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Suns, Dragic outlast Pelicans at home: By The Numbers