Offense:
The Suns had one of those offensive nights that reminded fans of “good ‘ol days”. Eighty-two shots taken, forty-one made and thirty trips to the free throw line, all culminating in hundred and twenty points. The team shot lights out from three point land making hitting 53% from behind the arch, 14-of-26. Channing Frye lead the way, hitting six three pointers for the second straight game. Frye finished the night with a team high 25 points.
In his first game back from a suspension that cost him the opening two games of the season, Jason Richardson picked up where he left off last year. Richardson added in 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
The bench was the lone disappointment offensively. The unit combined to miss eleven of their seventeen shot attempts (take away Barbosa’s 3-for-3 shooting and it looks even worse).
Grade:
A-
Defense:
It’s a broken record when it comes to the Suns. Solid offensive performance and questionable defense.
The team gave up 112 points to the Timberwolves, a team who hadn’t broken the 100 point mark in their first two games. They also allowed the first two 20+ point scorers of the season for Minnesota, Ryan Gomes (23) and Al Jefferson (21).
The Suns once again got stops when it counted holding off a late surge by the Timberwolves to preserve the eight point victory.
Grade:
C-
Rebounding:
The Suns were out rebounded by four, 46 to 42, but the starting lineup crashed the boards more effectively than the season’s first two games (which isn’t saying much). Grant Hill continued his rebounding renaissance leading the team in rebounds for the second time in their first three games. Hill had 10 boards to go along with Stoudemire and Amundson’s 8 a piece. Channing Frye everybody’s favorite high post, three point shooting center grabbed 5 boards of his own.
Grade:
C-
Ball handling:
For the third straight game the Suns turnover to assist ratio was cause for concern. While Steve Nash racked up a game high 14 assists, he also had a game high 7 turnovers. Overall the Suns compiled 22 assists to 16 turnovers.
A bright spot was the fact that Amare Stoudemire didn’t commit a turnover and recorded his first assist of the season. After three games, Amare has an 1 to 11 assist to turnover ratio on the season.
Grade:
C-
