Suns first to lose twice to Timberwolves in the season

(AP Photo/Jim Mone) Minnesota (7-34), still the worst team in the NBA, once again beat the Phoenix Suns last night 117-107. The Suns (30-13) became the first team to lose two games to the Timberwolves this season.

The Timberwolves have shown signs of great improvement lately, actually winning two consecutive games for the first time this season and have some young talent developing but still should be no match for the Suns.

The Suns trailed by as much as 21 points in the first half, tried to come back in the second half but couldn’t get closer than ten points. “Our intensity didn’t quite match up to theirs“, STAT summed up the night.

Al Jefferson is becoming a very good player and seems to enjoy playing the Suns (39 points, 15 rebounds - including 8 offensive - for Al). Jefferson is very polished, has good technique and knows the game beyond his age. He’s so good he’s getting the “great honor” of the game photo.

Stoudemire led the Suns with 33 points (14-of-16 from the field), Bell had 18 while Nash scored 21 points and dished 16 assists.

“When you shoot 56 percent and don’t win, that is crap” said Coach D’Antoni after the game. How true, Coach, but when you’re outrebounded 48-26, allow 22 offensive rebounds and have 16 turnovers it’s quite difficult to actually win one. Energy is once again the key here.

I hadn’t realized, until ESPN.com informed us after the game, that the “Suns are 1-7 this season on the road when they trail after the first quarter”. Not a good sign, one that confirm the impression that sometimes the Suns simply show up and play with a “business-like” attitude without the fire and the energy needed to come back on the road.

Friday night (5 PM) the Suns play the Cavaliers at “The Q”. It could be a real test (yes, once again) about the Suns’ attitude and effort. Cleveland is currently on a 5-game winning streak and have won 9 of their last 10 games and are starting to look like last year’s team, aka the Eastern Conference “Spurs”.

Yours truly, Steve Fan

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Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves