Suns @ Raptors 1-22-17

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are playing the second night of a back to back against the Raptors. The Raptors had Saturday off. After losing two in a row, plus losing to the Suns in Phoenix, the Raptors will be plenty motivated.

Below ia part of an article from the ESPN preview:

The Raptors (28-15) will have plenty of motivation. They have lost two in a row, including an embarrassing 113-78 loss to the Hornets in Charlotte on Friday. It was the lowest point total this season for the Raptors.

If they needed any more incentive, they lost 99-91 to the Suns in Phoenix on Dec. 29.

The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Arizona time.

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400900084

 

[Mainstreet]

A game update:

Eric Smith Verified account ‏@Eric__Smith



Nogueira back tonight and in the starting line up alongside Valanciunas, Carroll, DeRozan and Lowry. #Raptors #RTZ

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns quickly down 10-3 to open the 1st quarter.

They have 3 early TOs.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are trying to match-up with the Raptors size by playing Chandler and Len together.

 

[3rdside]

knight with the shaqtin charge followed by an airball

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe out of bounds pass to Chandler leads to a violent dunk.

 

[Mainstreet]

knight with the shaqtin charge followed by an airball

If the Suns are going to play Knight pairing him up with Ulis is not the worst choice.

 

[Ronin]

Phoenix Suns–

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Verified account ‏@Suns
Injury Update: Dragan Bender (sore right ankle) will not return in the second half.

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[Mainstreet]

Highlight dunk by Chriss. Awesome.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns have taken the lead with 5 + minutes in the 4th quarter.

 

[Mainstreet]

Eric Bledsoe has been putting on a show with 36 points, 13 assists and 5 rebounds.

 

[sunsfan88]

I hate that I'm saying this but maybe we should keep Tucker and see if we can extend him for a rational contract.

His defense in practice has apparently helped Booker quite a bit and he's done well against certain stars in the NBA as well.

I still hate his offensive game and we're always going to be playing 4 on 5 on that end of the court but defensively, it might make sense to keep him.

 

[devilalum]

Suns look like a playoff team tonight.

from phone

 

[AfroSuns]

Sweet game by Suns. Bledsoe was amazing. back to back win. Go Suns

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns win back-to-back road games against the Knicks and Raptors.

Great road trip after losing the first game against the Cavaliers.

Final: Suns 115 Raptors 103

 

[Finito]

Trade Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker now can't be having all this winning

Really good game tonight just destroyed em in the 4th

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns look like a playoff team tonight.

Who would have thought the Suns would win two out of the three games on this road trip.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I hate that I'm saying this but maybe we should keep Tucker and see if we can extend him for a rational contract.

His defense in practice has apparently helped Booker quite a bit and he's done well against certain stars in the NBA as well.

I still hate his offensive game and we're always going to be playing 4 on 5 on that end of the court but defensively, it might make sense to keep him.

No thanks. This is the best he's played, by far, since his last contract year. Maybe it's the incredible coaching by Watson that has brought his game back into focus but I wouldn't take that gamble.

 

[Mainstreet]

Trade Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker now can't be having all this winning

Really good game tonight just destroyed em in the 4th

Bledsoe finished with 40 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds. He had a stellar game.

 

[Mainstreet]

No thanks. This is the best he's played, by far, since his last contract year. Maybe it's the incredible coaching by Watson that has brought his game back into focus but I wouldn't take that gamble.

IMO, it depends on the size of the contract. He is a solid bench player. I would not sign him to a large contract though.

 

[sunsfan88]

No thanks. This is the best he's played, by far, since his last contract year. Maybe it's the incredible coaching by Watson that has brought his game back into focus but I wouldn't take that gamble.

I think Tucker's playing well because he's coming off the bench. Guys like Tucker are hustle/energy players and when you start them and play them 40+ mins a game, it kills their energy because nobody other than Westbrook has that kind of stamina to do it night in and night out while playing heavy minutes.

Look at Tucker's minutes played. This is the best he's played defensively since his first year in Phoenix and coincidentally, this year and that year have been the seasons in which he's played the least amount of minutes (24 and 27).

If any team trades for Tucker and then start him and play him the kind of minutes we've given him the last 3 years, they'll hate him. But if they trade for him and play him the kind of minutes he's gotten this season and his first season here, then he'll be fine.

I won't shed a tear if he gets traded but I'm much more open to keeping him in Phoenix after seeing that he's much, much better off the bench than in a starting role.

 

[GatorAZ]

Bledsoe could get a haul but I don't see Sarver trading him given his contract and production. I'm just gonna enjoy the season he's having.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe could get a haul but I don't see Sarver trading him given his contract and production. I'm just gonna enjoy the season he's having.

I think this is the smart thing to do.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I hate that I'm saying this but maybe we should keep Tucker and see if we can extend him for a rational contract.

His defense in practice has apparently helped Booker quite a bit and he's done well against certain stars in the NBA as well.

I still hate his offensive game and we're always going to be playing 4 on 5 on that end of the court but defensively, it might make sense to keep him.

Well, there is no point in trading him for a second round pick. He is more valuable, even off the bench than that pick would be.

 

[Hoop Head]

I hate that I'm saying this but maybe we should keep Tucker and see if we can extend him for a rational contract.

His defense in practice has apparently helped Booker quite a bit and he's done well against certain stars in the NBA as well.

I still hate his offensive game and we're always going to be playing 4 on 5 on that end of the court but defensively, it might make sense to keep him.

No, no way. He's only regressing as time goes on. Sign a younger gritty defender and/or draft one in the 2nd round. The only reason Tucker stands out at all is because most everyone else is a below average defender.