Game Recap: Phoenix Suns 106 – Chicago Bulls 112
By Matthew Wu
Nov. 14, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) takes a shot during the game against Chicago Bulls in the second half at US Airways Center. The Bulls defeated the Suns 112-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
The comeback kids once again, couldn’t do it two games in a row. The Phoenix Suns (4-5) lost an overtime thriller to the Chicago Bulls (5-3) on Wednesday night by the final score of 112-106.
The Suns this season has had a tendency to start games slow and heat up as it went along, well tonight the Suns came out aggressive behind Goran Dragic who dropped 10 of his 12 points in the 1st quarter. However the Suns would trail Chicago 27-29 after one.
I said in the preview that tonight’s game was going to be battle between the power forwards and was it ever. The Suns were led by Luis Scola who scored 24 points and had a season high 14 rebounds. Unforunately, the Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer had an even better night than Scola. Boozer scored 28 points, and grabbed 14 rebounds.
The Suns were on the verge of another improbable comeback on Wednesday night trailing Chicago by as much as 18 points late in the 3rd quarter. The Suns came into the 3rd quarter shooting absolutely atrocious making only 4 of 17 attempts in the first 9 minutes of the 3rd quarter, and shot 7 of 26 overall in the 3rd. Chicago took advantage off the Suns horrible shooting outscoring them 26-18 in the quarter.
The Bulls had the advantage 83-69 heading into the 4th period, however as they’ve done all season long, the Suns were prepared for a comeback.
The Suns began the 4th quarter red hot making 7 of 8 shots to begin the quarter and went on a 14-5 run capped off by a Luis Scola lay-up and the Suns trailed only 83-88 with 7:54 left in the game.
Nov. 14, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Shannon Brown (26) puts up the ball Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) in the second half at US Airways Center. The Bulls defeated the Suns 112-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
The Suns would finish the game behind another incredible Shannon Brown 4th quarter performance. Brown would score 8 points in the last 7 minutes of the ball game and scored 10 overall in the 4th quarter.
Sebastian Telfair had himself an incredible final quarter as well, making 3 3-point bombs including one that tied the game at 93-93 with 3:02 left in the game. Sebastian Telfair scored 17 points on the night and dished out 4 dimes.
How about that P.J Tucker? Tucker’s energy and effort in the final quarter along with the rest of the Suns “Super-Subs” Changed the entire landscape of the game. Tucker not only scored the lay-up to tie the game at 100-100 to send the game into overtime but Tucker had 4 offensive rebounds in the 4th quarter alone and he had 7 offensive boards on the game; keep in mind this dude is only 6’6.
The Suns did a great job in the 4th quarter defending, hustling, rebounding and just being a tough bunch; those are traits that we didn’t see much of in the last couple seasons with the Suns. The Suns outscored Chicago in the final period 31-17, holding the Bulls to 36% shooting, out-rebounded them 13-4 and forced Chicago into 5 turnovers.
Unfortunately for Phoenix they weren’t able to come out with what would have been a great win at home against a solid Chicago Bulls team.
This was nothing short of a heart breaking loss for the Suns but this squad should be proud of themselves for the way they played tonight, they never quit and they stepped up when they had to; they have nothing to be ashamed about.
Markieff Morris suffered an injury late in the game after falling on his back, he did not return to the game and is questionable for Friday’s game against the Lakers. Morris scored 8 points and pulled in 10 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench, however he did struggle shooting ball making of 3 of 12 shot attempts.
Nov. 14, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris is helped up by teammates forward Luis Scola (14) guard Goran Dragic (1) and guard Shannon Brown (26) after falling during the game against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at US Airways Center. The Bulls defeated the Suns 112-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
The Chicago Bulls shot the ball very well on Wednesday night shooting 50% overall from the field and was led in scoring by Carlos Boozer with 28, Joakim Noah and Loul Deng each scored 21 points.
The Suns will prepare themselves for a trip to Los Angeles against the Lakers on Friday night. Steve Nash will most likely be out for the game due to a leg injury and Mike D’Antoni may miss that game as well as he’s still recovering from a leg surgery.