Phoenix Suns lead Golden State Warriors 65-42 at half time
The Golden State Warriors have has a sudden change in their fortunes, nearly 50 games into the 2010-11 season. However, when it comes to playing their Pacific division rivals the Phoenix Suns, they simply don’t seem to have an answer. The team that nipped
the Warriors four-match winning streak just a fortnight ago toyed with them once again on Thursday night.
By half time, the stage was looking set for another drubbing for the Warriors.
Phoenix took to the US Airways Centre court on the back of a 10-game home winning streak over the Warriors. In addition to keeping their triumphant run alive on the night, the Suns had an extra motivation attached to the game; reaching a 0.50 record for
the first time in nearly two months.
The way the Suns started the game, it was pretty evident that they knew what was at stake.
Phoenix just rolled over the Warriors in the first four minutes of the game, netting one shot after another to sprint ahead by 13-5. However, through the middle period of the frame, the Warriors managed to close the gap to three after scoring three successive
baskets.
The Suns were relentless though, as they kept on probing the Warriors’ defensive perimeter. Robin Lopez slipped in a layup to start a two minute stretch that saw the Suns outscore the Warriors 10-2 to tighten their grip on the match. They continued their
upbeat offensive style of play as the team went into the break with Phoenix ahead at 32-22.
The Warriors upped the ante slightly to start the second quarter. Brandan Wright got the Warriors off the mark with an eight-foot jumper and then followed with a slam jam to slash the deficit a bit. The Suns though, were simply unstoppable as they found
their touch at the other end, to slowly increase their gap to 13 points.
Stephen Curry scored on three consecutive possessions midway through the period in a bid to give his team some much needed impetus. However, every time he scored, the Suns seemed prepared with a counter punch. At that point, Warriors Coach Keith Smart attempted
to break the Suns flow as he called a full time-out.
His move backfired though, as the Suns unleashed a vociferous 12-0 run in the last three minutes of the quarter, to extend their lead to 65-42.
Swingman Steve Nash carried the torch for the Suns with 14 points and eight assist until half time while Jared Dudley had 10 points. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 12 points. Monta Ellis, the Warriors leading scorer looked completely out
of sorts though, as the Warriors stared at a 23-point deficit at half time.
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