Gerald Green carries Phoenix Suns over Jazz: By the Numbers

It started as a snoozer, but the Suns exploded in the second quarter and held on for the win over Utah, 87-85 Saturday night.

Gerald Green carried the Suns, coming off the bench to score 24 points in 22 minutes. Brandan Wright added 14 points and four blocks and Eric Bledsoe had 16 points as the Suns halted a five-game downward spiral.

“We’re continuing to work hard. We’re not just packing it in,” said Wright postgame.

But “it” looked packed in, stowed away and left for next season at first, as the Suns only managed 13 points in the first quarter — a tie for their second-lowest score in a first quarter this season. The quarter included a period of seven-straight missed shots.

Then Green came off the bench to add 10 points to an electric 34 in the second quarter to give Phoenix a 10-point lead at the half.

Making 14-of-16 free throws throughout the first half helped the Suns too, and continuing to hit from the line kept them competitive in the third quarter, too, as Utah surged back to tie, then take a brief lead.

A driving layup by Bledsoe put the Suns up three with 1:21 left in the game, and Utah’s Derrick Favors answered with a dunk to pull the Jazz within one.

Bledsoe then stole the ball and Utah missed its potential go-ahead shot on its next possession. Bledsoe then made a free throw to give his team the two-point advantage.

Rodney Hood threw up a contested 3-pointer to try for the win, and wanted the foul call after he missed, but didn’t get it and the Suns took the game.

What did the win look like, by the numbers?

5

The Suns’ 18 third-quarter points mark the fifth time in six games Phoenix has not managed to break 20 points in the third quarter.

24

Though Green finished with 24 points in 22 minutes, his game-high scoring actually happened in his first 15 minutes of play off the bench.

8

Upon entering the game in the second quarter, Green scored eight Suns points in a row.

34-16

Thanks to Green’s 24 points, the Suns bench outscored the Jazz bench 34-16.

47-32

Phoenix was beat badly on the glass by Utah, 47-32.

This was partially due to their smaller lineup, which is missing center Alex Len (broken nose).

The Suns were also without point guard Brandon Knight and guard Marcus Thornton.

4

Wright made up for Len’s looming presence, however, tallying four blocks.

17-17

Phoenix and Utah are now tied in the NBA as the two teams who have lose the most games by a decision of five points or less.

0

The Suns played their last home game Saturday night, and will finish their season with five road games.

Up next is Atlanta, at 4:30 p.m. on Arizona Sports 98.8 FM.

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