30Jan/0812:59 AM

Suns run over Hawks 125-92. Now ready for Spurs

By Steve Fan

(AP Photo/Paul Connors) The Suns came out ready to play last night and the Hawks never had a chance. 125-92 was the final in a game with ZERO lead changes.

“Right from the beginning our defense was good and kind of took their heart away and we didn't let up” those were the words of Coach D’Antoni after the game.

Phoenix, led by Stoudemire’s 24 points (10-of-11 from the field), shot 64.2% in the game. Twelve players scored for the Suns.

Marion scored 19 points, Diaw and Hill added 16 each, Barbosa 13, while Nash registered the usual double-double (10 points, 10 assists).

Atlanta shot a mere 34% from the field and the Hawks couldn’t take advantage of the usual array of second chances (i.e. 26 offensive rebounds). Suns defense, doing the usual poor job at rebounding, still was able to contest shots (a franchise record 19 blocked shots) and put some pressure on the Hawks players.

The Suns were able to remain focused on basketball despite the Superbowl circus coming to town, as a very focused AmarÃ© declared: “It's a big week for us, for the state of Arizona and the cities of Phoenix and Glendale. There's a lot of festivities going on but we came out focused“…what can I say.

Phoenix (33-13) improved to 19-2 against Eastern Conference teams, which is great news unless you consider that they’re only 3 games above .500 (14-11) against Western teams.

The Suns have the long awaited match with the Spurs on Thursday night (8:30 PM) and are enetering a very favourable month of February. Other than a date with the Warriors in the Bay the Suns will play at home untile the end of the month (10 home games in the next 11 including last night).

The Spurs - who lost last night in Seattle - come into Thursday night’s game at 28-16, 5-5 over the last 10 games, but will put on a fight as usual.

Yours truly, Steve Fan