| 08 November 2009
There is a big lesson to be learned from the Suns 12-point win against the Washington Wizards and it doesn't have anything to do with the Metro subway system that runs throughout the nation's capital. No - we're talking about how much the Suns have come to rely on 3-point buckets to fill in the gaps in their offensive performance.
Sounds harsh? Yep, well hopefully it doesn't offend your delicate sensibilities. But the numbers tell the story loud and clear.
In their 102 - 90 victory against the Wizards on Sunday, the Suns shot only 6 for 14 from the free throw line - a dismal 42.9% that left Phoenix with a 12-point deficit from the line. And despite hitting nearly 50% from two-point range (30-61), the Suns would have spent the afternoon licking their wounds in defeat if it hadn't been for their success with the long ball.
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From 3-point range, the Suns burned up the court as they hit 12 - 27 (44.4%) compared to a mere 4-16 (25%) by the Wizards. The Suns big buckets also came at key points in the game and took the wind out of Washington's fragile efforts to retake the game in the last quarter.
Our favorite was the Channing Frye long distance swish that reasserted contol after the Wizards had chipped the Suns lead down to just six points (89 - 83) with 5:28 left in the game. Jason Richardson comes in a close second for the best Suns 3-pointer with his buzzer beater at the end of the first half that pushed the Phoenix lead to 56 - 51.
That heavy reliance on 3-pointers may prove to be our Achilles heal when the Suns go up against a quality defensive line-up like the Houston Rockets but it shouldn't present an issue during the Philly game on Monday night because the Sixers have allowed opponents to shoot better than 43 percent from outside the arc this season.
So just ruminate on these words of caution as you turn to NBATV at 6:00pm Central Time on Monday and cheer the Suns onto another likely East Coast victory. To borrow a phrase from the rarefied air of those Washington environs - Yes we can.
See ya'.
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