Suns Strokes: Suns’ rally falls short, drop season opener

Nov 1, 2012, 4:56 AM | Updated: Jul 4, 2013, 2:33 pm

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a basketball game. So, we will give you Suns Strokes providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Suns’ 87-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 31.
Final Score: Warriors 87, Suns 85

The Story:

The Suns led 74-66 and got outscored 22-11 with Carl Landry scoring 12 of his game-high 17 points over the final 8:41. Landry scored six of the Warriors’ final eight points, including what proved to be the game-winning 17-footer with 54 seconds to play.

The Good:

Phoenix held Stephen Curry and David Lee to a combined 4-of-30 field goal shooting. The Suns held the Warriors to 38.4% shooting from the field.

Goran Dragic in his first career regular season home start as a Sun compiled 17 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

Marcin Gortat tied a career-high with five blocked shots, including four in the third quarter.

The Bad:

Phoenix lost its third straight opening night game despite rallying back from a 17-point deficit.

The Suns got outrebounded 49-44 but 17-11 on the offensive end. The Warriors scored only 12 second chance points.

He Said It:

“To me, am I disappointed, yeah. I think there were a lot of good things, yes I do. Do I think we’ll get better? Hell yeah, I think we’ll get much better.” — Suns head coach Alvin Gentry

Noted:

Michael Beasley played 22:08, fewest of any starter; and not a single minute in the 4th quarter.

P.J. Tucker had not scored a point in an NBA game since March 3, 2007 at Cleveland. He played a career-high 23:04 minutes, scoring 10 points (5-9 FG) which was two points off his career-high. His previous career-high minutes played (20) and his career-high points scored (12) came vs. Suns on December 19, 2006.

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams was in attendance.

Up Next:

The Suns (0-1) host the Detroit Pistons Friday night at U.S. Airways Center. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.

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Phoenix Suns' Jared Dudley (3) speaks with referee Ron Garretson (10) as Suns coach Lindsey Hunter listens during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Phoenix Sun's Luis Scola (14) shoots against Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Phoenix Sun's Goran Dragic eyes a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Phoenix Sun's P.J. Tucker, center, looks to pass away from Golden State Warriors' Harrison Barnes, right, and Andrew Bogut during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Phoenix Sun's Markieff Morris, center, shoots between Golden State Warriors' Andris Biedrins (15) and David Lee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Golden State Warriors' Jarrett Jack celebrates his score against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Phoenix Sun's P.J. Tucker lays up a shot against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson, left, rebounds over Phoenix Sun's Markieff Morris, center, as Warriors' Harrison Barnes, right, assists during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

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