All the talk coming into the season was how the Suns were going to run and gun and score 110 points a night and but would probably be pounded on the boards on a nightly basis. So what happens? The Suns score a grand total of two fast-break points and were outscored 16-2 in that category by the Clippers. But thanks to some strong defense late and a slight edge in the rebounding department, the Suns pulled out a two-point win and got the 2009-10 season off to a good start. Of course, some things were predictable. The Suns again leaned on Steve Nash down the stretch, and he responded with 15 points on 5-for-5 shooting in the fourth quarter -- capped by the game-winning drive and lay-up with five seconds left.
The game ended with a little defense from Amar'e Stoudemire, who had a less than stellar game but stayed on the floor and got in the way of Eric Gordon's three-point attempt that would have won the game for the Clippers if it had been good. Phoenix trailed almost the entire game but made all the big plays late on both ends of the floor.
The Suns return home for Friday's hope opener against Golden State. Phoenix has sold out 133 straight games but that streak is sure to end soon, although there was a big push to fill US Airways Center for the opener. With Minnesota following the Warriors into town on Sunday, the Suns have a chance to sock away some early wins -- which they will need in the ultra-tough West.
SUNS 109, CLIPPERS 107: Grant Hill kept the Suns close with 19 points and 13 rebounds and buddy Steve Nash put them over the top with 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. Leandro Barbosa added 17 points and Amar'e Stoudemire had 16 for the Suns, who swept all four meetings from the Clippers last year and extended the winning streak to five with the season-opening win. Marcus Camby had 23 points and Chris Kaman had 22 for the Clippers, but their expected rebounding edge over the smallish Suns never materialized.
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