Trailblazers Take Suns to Overtime - Nash's Replacement Prevents Loss
Last night's game against the Portland Trailblazers marked the 3rd time that the Suns have played without 2-time MVP Steve Nash in the lineup this season. Fortunately for them they had a good replacement in Leandro Barbosa. After squandering lead after lead and letting Portland stay in a game they didn't belong in, Barbosa scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half & overtime to help the Suns win their 6th straight game against the Blazers. At 39-10, the Suns are only 1/2 game behind Dallas for the Western Conference's #1 playoff seed and the league's best record.
Amare Stoudemire was a monster (again) for the short-handed Suns, leading the way w/ 36 pts and 9 rebounds - 1 rebound shy of getting his 4th straight double-double of the season. His hustle and hard-work paid off well for the Suns throughout the game.
Nash is out w/ what's being called “shoulder inflammation“ that started last Thursday when he woke up. Mike D'Antoni should be wary of the injury and start giving Nash more breaks during the games when he returns. Barbosa and Marcus Banks are adequate replacements, as they showed last night.
Portland was led by Zach Randolph's 33 pts and 10 boards, and rookie Brandon Roy's 27 pts.
Phoenix's next game will by Friday against Joe Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks, followed by a visit from the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Other NBA News
- Tyrus Thomas Fined - The Bulls player was fined $10k for his reaction to being selected for the NBA Dunk contest; he said he was going to show up and collect the free money.
- Paul Pierce Hospitalized - Just when it looked like Pierce would return to the court this week, doctors discovered that Paul had an infected elbow. Pierce will be in the hospital for at least 2 days and Celtics coach Doc Rivers says that he likely won't return until after the All-Star break.