PHOENIX SUNS

Suns Strokes: Phoenix’s road woes continue in Brooklyn

Jan 12, 2013, 1:11 AM | Updated: 5:57 am

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’ 99-79 loss to the Nets on January 11.

The Good:

Shannon Brown has had a reduced role in the Suns offense of late, since losing his starting spot back on December 31. In five games since the demotion, Brown had averaged just 6.2 points per game.

Against Brookyln, Brown was active at both ends of the court in the second quarter (11 points, two steals and a thunderous fast break dunk) as Phoenix took control of the contest.

He finished with 15 points and four assists.

The Bad:

After awhile, the term déjà vu ceases to fit when discussing Phoenix’s recent troubles on the road. For the third consecutive game, the Suns won the first quarter and had plenty to be optimistic about going into the locker room at halftime.

But the third quarter yet again served as the team’s Achilles’ heal against Brookyln.

Marcin Gortat held Brook Lopez in check (13 points on 5-of-16 shooting), Gerald Wallace was forced out of the contest after taking a hard fall following a PJ Tucker foul in the first quarter and Deron Williams seldomly looked to score (five attempts) Friday night, but the Nets reeled off a fairly easy 13-2 run to start the third quarter and were rarely tested the rest of the night.

While the Nets’ usual suspects were largely kept off the score sheet, the same could not be said for reserves Andre Blatche and Marshon Brooks. The duo scored 17 of Brooklyn’s final 19 points in the third frame and the fourth quarter turned into nothing short of a formality.

The Suns were effective from three-point range (7-of-14), but that only goes so far when defensively Alvin Gentry’s squad continues to allow open shots from the perimeter. Phoenix couldn’t stop former Sun Joe Johnson (3-of-3 from three-point range) and Co. from connecting on 46 percent of their three-point opportunities.

Noted:

• The Suns have now lost 12 straight road games dating back to November 27 and five straight overall.

• Marcin Gortat arguably had his worst game in the month of January. After recording four double-doubles in his first five games of the month, the Suns starting center had just nine points and eight rebounds.

• P.J. Carlesmo is now 7-1 since taking over the head coaching duties from Avery Johnson back on December 27.

• The Suns’ 13-point output in Friday’s third quarter was their lowest on the season.

• Sebastian Telfair’s homecoming didn’t quite go to plan in Brooklyn. The Coney Island native had more fouls (4) than shot attempts (3).

Up Next:

The Suns will travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls at the United Center on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.

Phoenix Suns

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.

14 hours 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.

18 hours 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.

21 hours 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

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns Strokes: Phoenix’s road woes continue in Brooklyn