Brandon Knight helps Phoenix Suns snap losing streak: By the Numbers
Feb 26, 2015, 4:42 AM | Updated: 5:57 am
The Phoenix Suns ended a five-game losing streak behind as balanced an effort as they’ve put together all season.
The Suns (30-28) had six players score in double figures and seven men grab at least six rebounds as they downed the Denver Nuggets 110-96 at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday.
Brandon Knight, who won his first game in a Suns uniform, scored a team-high 19 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 10-2 Phoenix run that put the game away midway through the fourth quarter.
The Suns enjoyed a massive rebounding edge, grabbing 65 boards — the highest single-game total in the NBA this season — to the Nuggets’ 40. They out-rebounded Denver 23-10 on the offensive glass.
The Suns led most of the way Wednesday, but only by single digits until a 12-0 run late in the third quarter turned a two-point edge into a 14-point cushion.
Back-to-back 3s from Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson helped Denver trim the Suns’ lead to 91-85 with seven minutes to play. But a put-back layup by P.J. Tucker and a steal and score by Eric Bledsoe put the Suns back up by 10, and Knight’s subsequent 3-pointers 30 seconds apart put Phoenix ahead by 14 with under five minutes remaining.
The Suns have won two of their three meetings this season with the Nuggets (20-37), who have lost 10 of their last 11 games.
Here’s a closer look at how the Suns ended their skid Wednesday, by the numbers.
3
Three of the Suns’ points Wednesday came courtesy of this half-court shot from Marcus Morris in the final seconds of the first quarter. Marcus had 12 points and nine rebounds for the game.
5
Tucker was the Suns’ Mr. Everything on Wednesday. He contributed a game-high five steals to go with 12 points and eight rebounds. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
6
The Suns’ technical foul issues continued Wednesday, as Marcus Morris picked up his sixth tech of the season.
7
The Suns snapped a seven-game road losing streak Wednesday. Their previous win away from home was a 113-111 victory at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 7.
10
T.J. Warren likes playing in the Mile High City. The rookie forward had 10 points (on 5-of-8 shooting) and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench for Phoenix. Warren scored a season-high 11 points in a loss at the Nuggets on Nov. 28.
11
All 11 Suns players who took the court in the first half had at least one point by halftime. Gerald Green led the way by scoring 10 of his 15 points in the first half.
21
The Suns overcame some sloppy play Wednesday, as they committed 21 turnovers that led to 19 Denver points.
