Game Recap: Phoenix Suns(6-7) 111 – New Orleans Hornets(3-8) 108
By Matthew Wu
Nov. 23, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) congratulates teammate guard Goran Dragic (1) during the game against the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
These comeback kids just won’t quit. The Suns trailed the Hornets by as much as 19 points mid-way through the 3rd quarter but somehow managed to pull off an improbable overtime win 111-108 over the Hornets; New Orleans have lost their last 6 games including now two straight overtime losses. The comeback led by Goran Dragic who scored 16 of his 20 total points in the 2nd half including 12 big ones in the 3rd quarter igniting the Phoenix comeback.
The basketball gods were not on the Suns side last night as Ryan Anderson and Greivis Vasquez both had tremendous games in the Hornet’s loss. Anderson tied a career high with 8 3-pointers made and recorded on the night 34 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals; his counterpart, Vasquez had a career high 25 points, a career high 14 assists and made all 7 of his shot attempts to begin the game.
Markieff Morris led the way for the Suns last night scoring a career high 23 points, and also had 3 rebounds along with 3 assists. P.J Tucker was tremendous off the bench scoring 15 points and pulled down 7 rebounds including the offensive rebound with 4.9 seconds left in overtime to ice the game.
It was an uphill battle all night for the Suns. The Suns trailed 23-14 late in the 1st after a Rodger Mason 3-pointer and trailed 23-31 after the 1st quarter. Phoenix would close the gap in the 2nd quarter after Jermaine O’Neal completed a 3-point play and the score was set at 43-39 with the Hornets leading.
The Suns would find themselves trailing at halftime 47-53. The Suns didn’t play poorly in the first half by standards as they committed only 2 turnovers in the 1st half however the Hornets were playing out of their minds led by Vasquez who scored 14 points in the 1st half on 7 of 7 shooting. Morris scored 13 points at the half and shot 5 of 6 from the field.
The Hornets came out of halftime as hot as lava. New Orleans made all 5 field goal attempts to begin the 3rd quarter and led 66-51 after a Ryan Anderson 3-pointer, but Anderson wasn’t finished. Anderson would make another two 3-pointers to push the Hornets lead to 19 and the Hornets led 72-53 with 6:44 left in the 3rd quarter.
November 20, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets power forward Ryan Anderson (33) against the New York Knicks during the second half of a game at the New Orleans Arena. The Knicks defeated the Hornets 102-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Well as it’s been all season, here comes the Suns. The Suns closed out the 3rd quarter on a strong 24-9 run in the last 6:44 of the game, led by Dragic who scored 12 points during that stretch and it was P.J Tucker’s Kobe Bryant fadeaway 3-pointer impression that hit dead center with time expiring in the 3rd quarter to close the gap. The Suns were in striking distance as they trailed only 77-81 heading into the final period.
The 4th quarter belonged to the Suns. The Suns began the quarter on a 12-0 run that was capped off by a Jared Dudley 3-pointer and the Suns led 89-81 with 8:03 left to go in the final period. The game was in the Suns lap with 5:49 left in the game as they had complete control after a Jermaine O’Neal bucket which gave Phoenix a 96-85 lead; O’Neal 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks on the night.
New Orleans would then close the quarter on a 18-7 run behind Anderson who scored 9 points during that stretch off of 3 3-pointers but it was Vasquez who made the game tying 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
The Suns would go on and shut down the Hornets defensively in overtime as they didn’t allow New Orleans to score a single point in the first 4:29 of the overtime period as the Suns had advantage 108-103 after a clutch Markieff Morris 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in overtime.
Anderson would then respond with a one-dribble fadeaway jumper in the face of Morris to cut the score to
Nov. 23, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) is congratulated by teammate center Marcin Gortat (4) during the game against the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
108-105 but that was pretty much it for the Hornets as P.J Tucker got the offensive rebound with 4.9 seconds left to go in overtime after a O’Neal missed a jumper. Tucker would go on to make the 2 free throws to pretty much ice the game for the Suns.
The Suns survived an absolutely remarkable game by Ryan Anderson who had himself a career night last night in Phoenix. This man just couldn’t miss. Anderson’s surpassed his previous career high(25) by 9 points and tied his career high with 8 3-pointers made, that’s pretty impressive; Anderson could of shot from the parking lot and still make all the shots he made, that’s how hot he was. Anderson shot 13 of 23 from the field overall and 8 of 13 from behind the 3-point line.
This game was pretty much a must win for the Suns and despite the odds they got it. This was the final game of the Suns home stand as they will now embark on a 6 game road trip that begins on Sunday against the Sixers in Philadelphia. Markieff Morris has had another great showing in second start, Morris is now averaging 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, and is shooting 72% from the field as starter.