The Grizzlies (13-13) are one of the teams against which the Suns (19-10) have not been successful so far. Yes, I hear you. Over the past decade, it has been a list of Phoenix Suns Arena to Sky Harbor International Airport, filled with teams and players who have played well against the Suns. But Memphis really they owned.
Before tonight’s game, Phoenix lost 21 of the last 30 against Memphis and 5 of the last 5. Their lineup and build-up of the roster is causing trouble for Phoenix. On a 32 ° Saturday night in February against a hampered Grizzlies team, the Suns finally got one against their enemy in the Western Conference.
And they did it in record time. The Suns set a franchise record with 24 tries in the game and also set the most tries in rugby games in franchise history, with 46. The Suns led 31 at halftime and maintained the margin during the second half.
Cameron Payne and Devin Booker both scored five tries, while Mikal Bridges and Chris Paul each scored four.
Memphis was hampered in this because Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, Grayson Allen and Killian Tillie were all out for the game. Jaren Jackson, Jr., has yet to play for the Grizzlies this season. What is the old saying? “Kick them while they’re down”? It was the expectation to enter this one.
Here’s how it happened.
First half
A scorching 4th quarter on Friday night in New Orleans did not necessarily translate to the first quarter on Saturday. When the early 0-5 shooting function started, there was Chris Paul to get the team going. He is still a deviant this season. This man is almost 36 years old. He must have a skill that decreases. But it is not. He is able to shoot, to set up his team, to increase or slow down the pace; these are qualities that are of great importance to the success of the Suns this season.
Chris Paul has settled every Suns point so far tonight
– Cap’n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters (@DervishOfWhirl) 21 February 2021
I wonder how much the opposition, or at least opposing supporters, get frustrated when they see Frank Kaminsky hit three-pointers. I’m sure their first reaction is in the line of: “who the hell is this dude?”. Although his frame is a sign of someone having to live under the basket, his athletics disagree. He shot 44.4% from long range in the game and continued his hot shooting in this one.
So do the Suns. 13 after one.
Suns hot three-point shooter boarded the plane in New Orleans and joined Memphis. 19-2 run to finish first, 5-11 from deep.
The Grizzlies are 0-9 from outside the arc, which corresponds to the 32 ° temperatures outside the FedEx Forum.
– Suns JAM Session Podcast (@SunsJAM) 21 February 2021
The depth of the Phoenix Suns is something that no one should take for granted. I’ve seen nights in which the second team unit reflects what the Grizzlies had tonight and you know what? I do not want to go back.
The lack of healthy bodies for Memphis was evident in the first half. No Yes Morant? No ball movement, no easy shots, no chemistry.
I’m a * pretty * big NBA fan, but I have absolutely no idea who Sean McDermott and John Konchar are. Memphis without Yes seems pretty helpless.
– Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) 21 February 2021
Mikal Bridges was aggressive early in the game and decided to drive to the cylinder and make contact. He continues to cut and find ways to open himself up. Granted, I would like to see him do it with more consistency. And he will.
Bridges is rewarded for his effort in this offense. He finished the first half with 13 points on 4-4 shooting. He was the recipient of a Chris Paul assistant that moved him past the great Oscar Robertson on the all-time standings:
The Suns defense, along with the Memphis cold shooting, enabled Phoenix to build a comfortable lead at halftime. Phoenix forced the issue and actually scored points from the free throw line! 10 of them!
The Grizzlies shot an abysmal 29.2% from the field with an unfathomable 5.9% from deep (1-18). They were shocked by Deandre Ayton on the inside when he swapped two blocks. His lap absent presence drives obstruction and
Aytons’ defense was very good tonight
he can score zero points for the rest of the game if he plays D like the first half
– Knowmes (@ Uknowmes1) 21 February 2021
Booker with 15 points, CP3 and Bridges with 13, Saric with 10 off the bench. Suns shoot 50% and strike 13 times from deep. You gathered everything and the Suns walked with a lead to the locker room. A great one. A 31-point one.
The Suns held the Grizzlies to 34 points in the first half, a season best for Phoenix. They outscored their opponents by 60 points in the last two halves, back to Friday’s relationship with the Pelicans. It was the biggest lead for the Suns in a road game … ever.
Great first half. Let’s make it a great game. 48 minutes.
– John Voita (@DarthVoita) 21 February 2021
Second half
We’ve seen it before, haven’t we? Suns up at rest. Would they let it fizier? Would they bring Memphis back into the game? Would they lose their focus and think that half of basketball was good enough to win it?
Um … not tonight, people.
The goal is to prevent the opposing team from running. Do not let them have confidence. The Suns started the third as the second ended: hitting the three ball.
Phoenix held the Griz at arm’s length throughout the third quarter. Devin Booker scored 10 in the period, including 2-2 of three. Ayton aggressively bounced the ball back and opened it up for a Valley Open (h / t Espo).
Last night, the Suns equaled the franchise record for most three-pointers in a game with 22. When the team entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 32-point lead, the record was in jeopardy. The Suns made 20 runs on 38 shots through three quarters.
Phoenix chose to put the Monsters of the Mid-Range (Paul and Booker) in 4th place, with the lead. They made 9 brands from beyond the arc, so we will not have their services to pass the record. Damn it Monty, we want it!
(Side note … do you know how nice it is to write about how the Suns are trying to break a record rather than suffer a stressful 4th quarter?
Here is a record of the Suns’ pursuit of the record, referring to all 3PAs in the fourth:
- Cam Payne pumped a try and then tried to feed Dario low, resulting in a turnover. Doh!
- Dario reached # 21 on a quick break from E’Twaun Moore. Sha-zam!
- Dario misses a try from the left front of the edge. Use your legs child.
- Cameron Payne linked the record for the second consecutive night with a 26-footer. More than 6 minutes to go. OMG. This is going to happen …
- Ladies and gentlemen, mark it on your calendar: Cameron Payne picks the 20th try of the match on February 20, 2021 and sets the franchise record!
Cam Payne added another late hit, raising the record to 24.
Well, it was a fun game to cover. The Suns move to 19-10 with their 31-point victory.
Chris Paul
The Point God has assisted Oscar Robertson at all times. Although only 238 of them came in a Phoenix uniform, it is the honor of the player who is our primary ball handler. Appreciate it.
He is still the source of offense when the Suns stand still. Phoenix started the evening with 0-5. CP3 decided to start scoring and added the first five points for the Suns. Of them, the team shot the rest of the game 46-85 (.541).
Paul’s last stat line: 16 points, 6 assistants, 2 boards, 4-5 of three … all within 22 minutes.
CP3 is the only player I know that can be completely wide open. Put his feet up and take a 3 and you know it’s going in.
– OneHeart4SUNS (@ cpasion8) 21 February 2021
How does the guy I hated for over a decade become my favorite player on this team? He takes the hard blows. He reveals spiritual toughness. He is a leader. And I will follow.
A great game awaits us Monday while the Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trailblazers. This is a team that drew with the Suns tonight, and we will run for the position for the rest of the season.
Will Dame Lillard be on a mission to show fans that he is the one who had to nod for the leaders of the Western Conference in the All Star Game? Go away from anything you want Lillard. I just want the win.
Hope you had as much fun as I did. Until next time, enjoy the Bright Side ride.