Suns look to head into All-Star break with a win over Warriors
Published: February 22, 2012 @ 9:18am
Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (13) looks for room around Golden State Warriors' David Lee, left, and Monta Ellis, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Phoenix (14-19) has won its past two games partly in thanks to the All-Star-like numbers of center Marcin Gortat, who averaged 20.5 points and 11 rebounds in games against the Lakers and Wizards. Gortat's season averages place him in an elite class of players that includes Los Angeles' Andrew Bynum and Orlando's Dwight Howard, who are all averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Those numbers resulted in Bynum and Howard becoming starting centers in the All-Star game, whereas Gortat was snubbed, but the big man isn't the only Sun who is playing well of late.
Lately, different players are stepping up when needed to propel the Suns to a win. Channing Frye played well against Washington, posting a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 4-7 from three-point range. The day before, Jared Dudley posted a season-high 25 points in the win over the Lakers. Michael Redd has also been playing well off the bench, averaging 11.6 points per game over the last five contests.
The Suns are looking to beat the Warriors for the 14th- consecutive time in Phoenix while also avenging a 102-96 loss to Golden State earlier this month, and will have to contain the NBA's fourth-best scoring, one that includes prolific scorers like Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee.
Ellis and Lee, in particular, are a dangerous pair, being one of five tandems averaging at least 18 points per game. Lee can do more than just score, as he's a good passer for a big and even recorded a triple-double earlier this month. He did not play in Phoenix's win over the Warriors in January, but dominated the Suns not long ago, scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a Golden St. victory.
Ellis, though, leads the Warriors with 22.3 points per game, and teams with Curry to form a dynamic-yet-small back-court.
For the Warriors, big-men Ekpe Udoh (left knee sprain) and Andris Biedrins (flu-like symptoms) are both listed as day-to-day, while the Suns enter the game with no notable injuries.
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