Suns' Free Fouling Throws Charity Victory to Indiana
Dec 7, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (right) is fouled by Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pacers defeated the Suns 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
A loss is a loss, no matter how it happened.
Several of the Suns staff and players complained about the free throw disparity between the two teams as Indiana outshot the Suns 41 to 18 in that regard. But in the end, that wasn’t why the lost.
When I write stories about the history of the Suns, my first resource is a Suns Media Guide that in one section provides the final score – among other things – to every game in franchise history. When flipping through, final scores look as they are: brief, cold, snapshots of games past, offering no narrative other than did they win, or did they lose.
If I want the box score I go to basketball-reference.com. If I want the narrative I go to the Arizona Republic Archives.
Last nights game, a loss to Indiana in which the Suns had 21 turnovers (they lead the league in that category) and 31 personal fouls (they also lead the league in that category) will go down in future media guides with nothing more than the cold, brief snapshot of a game lost.
And yet, the Suns could have won.
If they had just played more solid defense in the 4th quarter – they were tied at 84 with 10:34 left in the game, before Indiana went on a 25 to 10 run to end the game.
If they had made a shot when they needed one, they may have turned the momentum the other way – the Suns were 5-17 in the 4th quarter.
If they could make their three’s – Phoenix was 9-33 for 27.3% and are the 5th worst three-point shooting team in the league.
If they grabbed a rebound when they needed it – the Suns were outrebounded by 9 overall, and by 8 in the 4th quarter.
If they did foul so much – the Suns committed 31 personal fouls, including Alex Len’s 6 and Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker’s 5 each, and lead the league in that category.
If they didn’t turn the ball over as often – Phoenix lost the ball on 19 occasions, above their season average of 16.3, a category which they are the sixth-worst turnover prone team in the NBA.
If they just had one player who could take over the game offensively and try to spark his teammates through his will and effort in the clutch – Bledsoe led the Suns in scoring with only 15, Booker finished with 13, and the two combined for 9-26 from the floor.
Unfortunately I could go on.
The Suns are what their record says they are, and now at 6-16, this is the worst start to a season since the 1985-86 season, who shares the same record through 22 games.
That team finished 32-50.
(And yes, I got that information from the Media Guide).
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Phoenix Suns Trivia Question
Prior to yesterday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns have played 23 times on Pearl Harbor Day in their 49 year history. What is the Suns’ record on December 7?
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Phoenix Suns Trivia Answer
16-7
2015 – Suns at Chicago 103-101 W
2010 – Suns at Portland 99-106 L
2007 – Suns at Washington 122-107 W
2006 – Suns at New Jersey 161-157** W (65 year anniversary)
2005 – Suns at Golden State 118-110 W
2004 – Suns v Golden State 118-104 W
2001 – Suns at Boston 102-109* L
2000 – Suns at Milwaukee 104-96 W
1999 – Suns v Orlando 110-107 W
1997 – Suns v Indiana 97-99 L
1991 – Suns at Miami 109-108 W (50 year anniversary)
1990 – Suns at New Jersey 129-110 W
1989 – Suns at Lakers 96-100 L
1988 – Suns at Lakers 111-125 L
1984 – Suns v Kansas City 121-113 W
1980 – Suns v Golden State 106-88 W
1979 – Suns at Boston 92-100 L
1977 – Suns at Detroit 113-107* W
1975 – Suns v Chicago 114-97 W
1974 – Suns v Lakers 92-88 W
1973 – Suns v Capital 114-92 W
1972 – Suns v Philadelphia 117-102 W
1969 – Suns v Detroit 113-118 L
16-7 on Pearl Harbor Day (2-0 in OT)
Scoring Average – 111.3 – 106.3
*results were collected from the 2016 Suns Media Guide and do no the include the 2016 game against the Indiana Pacers whom the Suns are now 0-2 all-time on Pearl Harbor Day.
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