Phoenix Suns hand Atlanta Hawks’ first loss of the season
The Atlanta Hawks tried to keep their record unblemished with a second-half rally, but it was not enough as the Phoenix Suns escaped with a hard-earned 118-114 win on Sunday 7 November at the Philips Arena
in Atlanta.
Two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash spearheaded his team’s attack with his 19 points and 15 assists, while high-flying guard Jason Richardson had a team-high 21 points for the Suns, who are still adjusting
with their offence after losing all-star power-forward Amar’e Stoudemire during the off-season.
“It's going to take us a month, two months, to get to the point where we really know who we are,” said Nash, who shot 7-for-11 from the field. “The biggest thing is cohesion. It's just going to take a little
time. I think we're getting better. We're not there yet but we're getting better.”
Jared Dudley, who signed a contract extension with Suns last week, finished the game with 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field to go with six rebounds, while veteran forward Grant Hill chipped in
14 points and six rebounds.
Off-season recruits Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress, who are both still trying to adjust with their roles, had 11 points apiece for the Suns.
Behind their fluid offensive sets and accurate shooting, the Suns built a 79-61 lead midway through the third period, but their lead was quickly erased as the Hawks converted their last 10-straight shots,
six from beyond-the-arc, to trim the lead down to two points, 90-88, heading into the final period.
The previously unbeaten Hawks managed to tie the game three times, but they couldn’t get over the hump, failing to take the lead, and had crucial defensive lapses down the stretch, which led to their first
defeat of the season.
“Down the stretch we couldn't get the key stops we normally get on defence,” said Joe Johnson, who led his team with his game-high 34 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Al Horford, who recently inked a five-year contract extension worth $60 million, proved his worth tonight as he scored 30 points and collected 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who started the season with six-straight
victories.
“I don't think anybody in the league works harder than Horford does on either end of the floor,” said Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry on Horford’s big night. “Whatever they signed him for, it's a bargain.
He's a stud.”
Josh Smith added 19 points and nine rebounds, while veteran point guard Mike Bibby had 12 points and five assists, but their efforts were not enough as their 14-game home winning run ended.
The Hawks played with injured versatile forwards Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans, and their absence proved to be vital as the Hawks can’t handle the Suns small line-up.
“It was a clear case how badly we needed a Marvin or Mo so we could go smaller,” said Suns head coach Larry Drew, whose team lost for the first time at home since 26 February this year.
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