Suns Strokes: Suns rally past Grizzlies to pick up road win

Feb 6, 2013, 4:50 AM | Updated: 4:50 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’ 96-90 win over the Grizzlies on February 5.

The Good:

Goran Dragic scored 15 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Suns rally past the Grizzlies to steal a much-needed road win.

Dragic had just two points before going 5-of-6 in the fourth. He went on to score six straight points to seal the win for Phoenix. He has led the team in scoring this season, averaging 14.2 points per game prior to the Tuesday’s contest.

Marcin Gortat had a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds. He has averaged a team-best 8.9 rebounds per game.

The Suns were impressive in the game’s final quarter, outscoring Memphis 31-19.

Rookie Kendall Marshall saw his playing time increase significantly due to early foul trouble by Dragic. Marshall played a team-high 33 minutes and scored 11 points with four assists. He had been averaging just 6.9 minutes per game this year.

The Bad:

Despite relying on some late game heroics, the Suns still struggled to control the basketball. Phoenix committed a season-high 22 turnovers.

Jared Dudley went 0 for 5 and did not score a single point over 17 minutes of play for the Suns.

Noted:

• Jermaine O’Neal was back in the lineup for the Suns after missing the last seven games for medical reasons.

• Phoenix shot 51 percent from the field and held Memphis to 44 percent shooting.

• The Suns road record now stands at 5-20 on the season.

Up Next:

The Suns will continue their road trip against the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 p.m. MST.

Phoenix Suns' Michael Beasley (0) goes to the basket in front of Memphis Grizzlies' Austin Daye (5) during first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat (4), of Poland, tries to shoot around Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph during first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen, center, passes the ball around Phoenix Suns' Jared Dudley (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Phoenix Suns coach Lindsey Hunter, left, talks with Kendall Marshall after an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlie in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 96-90. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat, of Poland, dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. Gortat scored 20 points in the Sun's 96-90 victory. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, left, talks to Austin Daye (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 96-90. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Phoenix Suns' Michael Beasley goes after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 96-90. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

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