Raptors spoil Steve Nash's homecoming
It was an emotional homecoming for Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash when the 12-year NBA veteran and his Phoenix Suns took on the Toronto Raptors Wednesday night in Vancouver, British Columbia.
But for the two-time NBA MVP from nearby Victoria, B.C., the excitement of playing in front of his home-town fans was partly spoiled by the fact that the Raptors decimated the Suns 129-78.
The Raptors, making their pre-season debut, were led by Linas Kleiza, who picked up 20 points in his first game as a Raptor, connecting on all four of his three-point attempts. The Raptors led the Suns, who opened up their pre-season against Sacramento on
Tuesday night, by 16 points at half-time and then promptly outscored them by 20 in the third quarter, padding their already comfortable lead. DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors’ promising second-year player, was second in scoring behind Kleiza with 16 points.
"I had to get the bugs out in the first half," said DeRozan. "I was a little stiff. Trying to get into the rhythm of the game. But I'm not a rookie no more. I know what I've got to do."
Point guard Jose Calderon, who started the game, finished with six points and three assists. The Spanish player, expected to battle it out with Jarrett Jack for the starting point guard spot, was encouraged by the result.
"Everybody shot the ball. Everybody passed the ball," said Calderon. "That's the best part and that's the way we want to play. We know it's just a pre-season game, but it's always better to have confidence."
Jack made his own case that he should be the starting point guard for this team, recording 10 points and seven assists in only 17 minutes of play. Power forward Joey Dorsey recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Suns, who lost their All-Star power forward Amar’e Stoudemire to the Knicks during the off-season, shot the ball horribly as a team, connecting on only 38 per cent of their shots and 17 per cent of their three-point attempts. Hedo Turkoglu, the former
Raptor and key off-season pick-up for Phoenix, scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds. Turkoglu, who made it clear he wanted out of Toronto after last season, got booed on every shot.
"I can't wait to see (what it's like in) Toronto. That should be fun," Turkoglu quipped after the game.
Nash, who was cheered every time he touched the ball, finished the game with nine points and seven assists in 22 minutes.
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