Phoenix Suns Team Report - January 15 01.15.2005
|
(Basketball News) - Phoenix, which owns the best record in the NBA (31-6), has hit the skids a bit with just its second two-game losing streak of the year.
To make matters worse, the Suns may be without All-Star point guard Steve Nash tonight against Washington at the MCI Center due to a bruised thigh. Nash scored 11 points in 11 minutes before leaving Phoenix’s 101-83 loss to Indiana in the second quarter on Friday evening.
Amare Stoudemire had 26 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Suns, who have opened a four-game road trip with consecutive losses. It is the first time the Suns have dropped back-to-back games since November 10-13 when the team lost to Cleveland and Sacramento.
Shawn Marion added 12 points for Phoenix, which scored a season-low in points and failed to reach the 100-point plateau for just the sixth time in 37 games. The Suns entered the game leading the league in scoring with over 110 points per game.
Quentin Richardson struggled to an 0-for-11 night shooting. He finished 0- for-8 from three and had three points all from the free throw line. Phoenix shot a season-low 39 percent from the field.
Phoenix owns a 15-4 mark on the road this season. The Suns’ will finish their road trip up in Detroit on Monday. For the year, Phoenix is 13-2 versus the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix got the best of the Wizards, 110-96, at America West Arena on December 18. The Suns have won two straight in this series, while the home team has taken five consecutive contests. Washington has won four straight and six of its last seven home tilts versus Phoenix.