Suns Strokes: Third quarter struggles lead to fifth straight loss

Dec 7, 2012, 8:06 AM | Updated: 8:06 am

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a basketball game. So, we will give you Suns Strokes, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Suns’ 97-94 loss to the Mavericks on December 6.

The Good:

Suns forward Markieff Morris grabbed a career-high and team season-high 17 rebounds (nine in the first quarter) to go along with 15 points, tallying his second career double-double.

In three home starts this season, Morris is averaging 19 points and nine rebounds while shooting 64.9 percent from the field (24-of-37), including 66.7 percent from three-point range (4-of-6).

The Bad:

The Suns — dropping their season-high fifth straight game — went 7:01 between field goals in the third quarter, missing 13 of 14 shots while getting outscored 23-to-4.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41,) of Germany, attempts a shot over Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell, lower right, as forward Amare Stoudemire, upper right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawne Williams (4) and Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, right, compete for a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, left, has the ball stolen by Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, looks for an opening against Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal (32) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) looks for an opening against Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea (11), of Puerto Rico, loses control of the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, of Slovenia, and forward Grant Hill, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, left, steals the ball away from Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, of Slovenia, is wrapped up by Dallas Mavericks forward Brandon Bass, right, while attempting a shot in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. The Mavericks won 112-97. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire (1) attempts a shot over Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier (25) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Stoudemire had a team-high 28 points in the 112-97 loss to the Mavericks. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, celebrates after scoring a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Nowitzki had a game-high 39 points in the 112-97 win over Phoenix. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea (11), of Puerto Rico, celebrates after sinking a three-point basket as Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw, right, of France, looks on in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. The Mavericks won 112-97. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill, top, comes down on top of Dallas Mavericks forward Shawne Williams as he was about to take a shot in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. The Mavericks won 112-97. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry (31) celebrates after scoring a three-point basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Terry continued his recent roll off the bench with 19 points as the Mavericks won for the eighth time in nine games 112-97, pushing them to two games over .500 for the first time this season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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