It’s Steve Nash Day in Toronto. Suns win 117-113

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette) Amaré Stoudemire scored 31 points and Steve Nash added a season high 18 assists as the Suns beat the Raptors in Toronto 117-113.

It’s Steve Nash Day every time our hero plays in Toronto, so it was just perfect that Steve scored the winning basket with a wonderful layup with 0:12 seconds left. It’s the only chance Nash has to shine in his Canada every year, so it must be special for him.

“He’s been fabulous all year,” O’Neal said of Nash. “He controlled the game, hit guys when they’re open and that’s why he’s one of the best point guards ever.”

The Raptors were playing without Calderon, Kapono and Jermaine O’Neal. In other words, 3 of their best players. But only the absence of PG Calderon was really a problem for the Raptors on offense. Toronto presented some tough match ups for the Suns: Nash vs Parker, Bargnani vs Stoudemire, Shaq vs Bosh and the Suns seemed to suffer those on defense.

Shaq had two early fouls and was out of the game after two minutes and six minutes the Suns allowed 20 points before coach Porter tried a zone defense for a couple of plays. Phoenix came back well with a small line up to lead 36-33 after one.

The offensive show continued in the second quarter with Nash (11 assists in the half) and Co. scoring 71 points led by Barnes with 14.

The second half started the way the first ended, with both defenses missing in action. I think this could be the worst defensive game of the year. It was so poor that everyone was getting open shots on every possesion.

Thanks to a better shooting percentage (55 percent in the game) and some points in transition Phoenix took an 8-point lead into the final period. The game was then tied at 102 with 7 minutes left when Steve Nash took over.

Six Suns players scored in double figures with J-Rich scoring 17 points and Barnes and Shaq with 16 each.

The Suns (23-15) have now won nine in a row against Toronto and will now face the NBA Champions in Boston on Monday Night.

Yours truly, Steve Fan

 

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