Suns Strokes: Goran Dragic and Gerald Green send Suns to 103-95 loss
Jan 8, 2016, 11:35 PM
Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic gestures after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, in Phoenix. The Heat won 103-95. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — Revenge was served on multiple platters Friday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Big nights from former Suns’ Goran Dragic and Gerald Green lifted the Miami Heat to a 103-95 victory against Phoenix.
Amar’e Stoudemire even got into the action sending away a Markieff Morris dunk attempt at the rim completing the trifecta.
It was Dragic and Green who were the main factors, combining for 43 points on 15-26 shooting with five threes.
The point guard got Miami going with eight of his 22 in the first quarter when Brandon Knight failed to force him away from his strong hand and allowed him to connect on multiple open threes.
Green put up all 21 of his points in the second through fourth quarters and wasn’t shy about glaring over at Suns owner Robert Sarver or the Phoenix bench when a shot went in.
“You always want to play good against your ex-team,” said Dragic. “It’s an emotional game, especially for me and Gerald and I’m happy we got the win.”
The duo did get some help with a throwback night from Dwyane Wade. He broke out the entire arsenal, including a nasty putback slam. Wade paced the Heat with 27 points in only 33 minutes.
THE GOOD
The Suns came out with fire in the third quarter, taking a 13-point first half deficit and making it a game. They were sparked by a four possession run by rookie guard Devin Booker that saw him score 11 consecutive points.
Booker finished with a foul through Luol Deng in transition, knocked down a three plus a foul, hit a fadeaway jumper on a post up and dropped in a driving lay up against a closeout. He showed off the entire package as the Suns outscored the Heat 33-24 during the 12 minutes.
Archie Goodwin also performed well during his 16 minutes attacking the rim and setting up his teammates. Goodwin tallied nine points, four assists and four rebounds playing mainly under control. It was a step in the right direction for the 21-year-old.
THE BAD
Brandon Knight and Booker put up 42 points between them, but it took 41 shots. They missed 11 if their 13 threes as the Suns struggled from deep, going 6-24 overall.
The Heat finished the game shooting 49.3-percent from the field and outscored the Suns by 18 points at the free throw line and behind the arc.
STAT OF THE GAME
Miami had 27 fastbreak points with Phoenix struggling to get back in transition.
HE SAID IT
“To beat these teams, you’ve got to consistently make plays and that’s not just scoring the ball or not turning it over. It’s knowing if you’ve got, in the rotation, they kick it out and someone’s got to get the shooter. You can’t go out there soft. We had three or four of those and those are big plays. Those are things that are in the scouting report,” said head coach Jeff Hornacek.
NOTED
Suns forward Markieff Morris made a brief appearance in the first half playing just over six minutes. Morris scored two points and was 1-3 from the field. He had three fouls.
UP NEXT
The Suns have three days off before starting a three-game road trip. It begins on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers. Phoenix then heads to Boston on Friday and Minnesota on Sunday.
It’s the first of two meetings versus the Pacers this season. Indiana plays in Phoenix seven days later. Last season the Suns took both games, beating the Pacers by an average of 20 points.
Suns Warm Up starts at 4:30 p.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM followed by tip off at 5:00 p.m.
