Suns Strokes: Suns drop fourth straight in loss to Wizards

Mar 17, 2013, 2:28 AM | Updated: 2:33 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’ 127-105 loss to the Wizards on March 16.

The Good:

Michael Beasley scored a team-high 21 points off the bench and Goran Dragic added 12 points and 11 assists for Phoenix.

The Bad:

The Suns dropped their fourth straight to the Wizards on Saturday, and their sixth of eight this month. They also surrendered the most points they’ve given up in a first half (66).

Phoenix’s defensive woes continued against Washington. The Suns have now given up 100 or more points in six consecutive contests for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

The Suns could not contain Martell Webster, who scored a career-high 34 points and five assists in the game. He shot an impressive 7 of 10 from three-point range.

Washington shot 51.6 percent overall from the field and went 14-21 from downtown.

Noted:

• With New Orleans off, the Suns now have the worst record in the Western Conference at 22-45.

• Suns’ interim head coach Lindsey Hunter got his first technical foul. As a team, Phoenix had four technicals in the first half.

• Center Jermaine O’Neal made just his second start of the season for the Suns.

Up Next:

The Suns will host the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on Monday, March 18. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.

Phoenix Suns center Jermaine O'Neal (20) goes to the basket against Washington Wizards power forward Kevin Seraphin, right, and Nene, left, of Brazil, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley, left, dunks over Washington Wizards center Nene, center, of Brazil, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. Suns center Jermaine O'Neal, right looks on. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball against Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, of Slovenia, and P.J. Tucker (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards center Nene (42), of Brazil, goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns center Jermaine O'Neal (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard John Wall, center, goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley (0) and Wesley Johnson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) dunks against Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) and Emeka Okafor, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Martell Webster (9) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Martell Webster (9) reacts with teammates Garrett Temple (17) and Nene (42), of Brazil, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) defends the basket against Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic (1), of Slovenia, during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. Wizards forward Martell Webster (9) watches the action. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Martell Webster (9) goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Wesley Johnson, back, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) dunks against Phoenix Suns guard Jared Dudley (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots over Phoenix Suns point Goran Dragic (1), of Slovenia, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Phoenix Suns head coach Lindsey Hunter, left, talks with Michael Beasley (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, right, looks to pass against Phoenix Suns guard Jared Dudley (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Washington. The Wizards won 127-105. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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