Suns Strokes: Telfair, Toronto end Suns’ three-game win streak

Mar 7, 2013, 5:41 AM | Updated: 5:46 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’ 98-71 loss to the Raptors on March 4.

The Good:

Uh, let me think….

The Bad:

Where to begin….

The Suns saw their three-game winning streak end, their former teammate Sebastian Telfair have his best game (13 points, seven assists and four steals) since mid-January and oh yeah, their rivals (Lakers) overcome a 25-point deficit on the road to pull to within 1.5 games of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

After a 24-point (on 52.4 percent shooting) first quarter performance, the Suns scored 16, 15 and 16 points in the remaining three quarters thanks to 32.1 percent from the floor(17-of-53).

The Suns committed a season-high 29 turnovers, giving them five games of 20 or more turnovers since the coaching change.

The Good:

Yeah, still thinking….

He Said It:

“That was pretty bad,” interim head coach Lindsey Hunter said. “I do not see one bright spot to take from that game other than it is over. It doesn’t get much worse than it did for us tonight. We see how we respond after having some success, having some days off. That is not much we can say about that game. It was just a total disaster from jump ball to finish.”

Noted:

• Marcin Gortat left the game late in the first quarter with a right mid-foot sprain; X-rays taken were negative and he will undergo an MRI Thursday. “I definitely heard a pop in my foot,” he said as he exited the locker room on crutches. Gortat has appeared in every game since being acquired by the Suns on Dec. 18, 2010 — 182 consecutive. He has started 138 consecutive games, every game since March 27, 2011, and is the only Sun to start every game this season.

The Good:

Okay, I got it.

Hamed Haddadi made his Suns debut, becoming the first player in franchise history to wear a uniform number (98) higher than 55. Also, Marcus Morris scored in double figures for the third straight game, leading the team with 12 points. He was the lone Sun to reach double figures.

Up Next:

The Suns (21-40) travel to Sacramento to play the Kings on Friday, March 8.

Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker pressures Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Toronto Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, of Italy, left, pressures Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic, of Slovenia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns' Marcus Morris (15) dunks as Toronto Raptors' Landry Fields (2) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) 
Toronto Raptors' Alan Anderson (6) drives against Phoenix Suns' Marcus Morris (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Toronto Raptors' Rudy Gay (22) drives against Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic, of Slovenia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Toronto Raptors' Amir Johnson (15) dunks over Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) falls to the court during the first half of their NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski) Toronto Raptors' Andrea Bargnani (7), of Italy, shoots over Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat, of Poland, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas (17), of Lithuania, shoots over Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat, of Poland, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Toronto Raptors head coach Dwayne Casey yells to his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1), of Slovenia, drives against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns' Marcus Morris (15) is fouled by Toronto Raptors' Amir Johnson, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker (17) shoots over Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas, of Lithuania, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns

(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)...
Tom Kuebel

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert fined for comments on officiating in Suns game

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $25,000 for comments made that criticized officiating after the team's 107-100 loss to the Suns.
16 hours ago
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, drives the lane as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis ...
Arizona Sports

Nikola Jokic, 3 other Nuggets questionable to face Suns

The Denver Nuggets list Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray among a group of key players questionable to play Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
16 hours ago
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)...
Arizona Sports

How to watch the Suns, D-backs and Coyotes on Friday

It's going to be a busy night of athletics to end March with three of the Valley's four major sports teams in action on Friday.
16 hours ago
Devin Booker #1, Kevin Durant #35, Deandre Ayton #22 and Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns stand o...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns will force Denver Nuggets, NBA to pick their poison

The Phoenix Suns are going to be putting opposing defenses in challenging positions the rest of the season.
16 hours ago
Chris Paul #3 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Timb...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns claw to scrappy win in Kevin Durant’s home debut

Kevin Durant's home debut did not go the way anyone expected but the Phoenix Suns were still able to get an important win.
2 days ago
Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns stand on the court during a timeout form t...
Dan Bickley

Suns victory over Timberwolves outweighs celebration of Durant’s home opener

The Suns forged a collective triumph on a night that began as a celebration of one, beating the Timberwolves 107-100.
2 days ago
Suns Strokes: Telfair, Toronto end Suns’ three-game win streak