Suns Handle Hornets, Establish Four-Game Winning Streak
PHOENIX -- A wise coach once said "Good teams make bad teams look bad."
A simple statement, but the message is clear: Superior teams establish themselves and don't play down to competition.
Even without the likes of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns were able to do just that in a 128-97 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. This was their fourth victory in a row, the first instance since the Suns last did so in late November.
They're now over .500 with a 25-24 record.
Prior to the game, Phoenix coach Monty Williams addressed Charlotte's struggles:
"Everyone has earned the right to be in this league for a reason. Anyone can have a night, play well and we look at everything they do well," said Williams.
"Obviously, we study areas where we can attack. If you look at them and look at their players, they have guys who can have nights. They have a big that is, two guys that are athletic, rim protect. One can transfer the ball and finish, another one is young and is all over the place with length. (LaMelo) Ball we expect him to play, he is a guy that can get it going in many ways. (Terry) Rozier is an All-Star talent.
"We just have a great deal of respect for how hard they play. Their coach is one of the best in the league as far as preparation and getting his guys to play hard, they try to take you out of stuff. That is how we view it, it takes you out of the mode of looking at teams in any other way than on a level of respect.”
Phoenix's early success was propelled by Cam Johnson, who scored an astounding 16 points in the first six minutes of the game. He finished with a team high 24 points.
Other key contributors were:
-Dario Saric who tied a season high of 19 points
-Jock Landale who has now scored 10 or more points in three straight games
-Chris Paul who had another double double of 14 points and 11 assists
Six players reached double-digits in scoring tonight for Phoenix.
With LaMelo Ball out, Terry Rozier paced Charlotte in scoring with 19 points.
The Suns got up by as much as 30 points in the first half before Charlotte was able to cut that lead all the way down to eight prior to halftime. Phoenix was able to carry a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back.
Tuesday was also the fourth game in a row where Phoenix has hit 112 points or more offensively.
Excellent three-point shooting (55%) and controlling the boards (55 rebounds) helped the Suns maintain their lead to the end despite 18 turnovers.
Phoenix also had 37 assists to Charlotte's 19.
The Suns return to action on Thursday as they host the Dallas Mavericks in what will be a nationally televised game on TNT.
