Phoenix (5-1) at Washington (2-4)

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  • Game info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: My45, CSMA

By BRETT HUSTON, STATS Writer Nov 7, 2:37 pm EST

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The fast-paced Phoenix Suns haven’t had any problems putting up points this season, and Jason Richardson’s(notes) impressive offensive effort helped them knock off an Eastern Conference power in their most recent game.

The Washington Wizards certainly didn’t have any answers for Richardson the last time they saw the Suns.

Richardson looks to build on his highest-scoring game since he last faced the Wizards as Phoenix continues a five-game road trip Sunday afternoon looking for a fifth straight win at the Verizon Center.

Richardson was suspended for the Suns’ first two games following his offseason conviction on drunken driving charges, but he came back to average 18.5 points in the next two contests as part of their 4-0 start.

Richardson, though, was held scoreless for the third time in his career Wednesday as Phoenix (5-1) was blown out 122-100 at Orlando in the team’s lowest-scoring game of the season.

It didn’t take long for Richardson and the Suns to bounce back. The two-time Slam Dunk champion finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds Friday in Boston as Phoenix handed the Celtics their first loss, 110-103.

“They could see after the first (quarter) that I had the stroke going,” said Richardson, who was 6 of 7 from 3-point range. “In this offense, every night it’s going to be someone different. It was a feel tonight, like everything you throw up is going to go in. I wanted to come out, be aggressive and take it from there.”

Richardson became the fifth different leading scorer this season for the Suns, whose road trip ends Monday in Philadelphia. Steve Nash(notes) (19.0 points per game) is the only one to be their high scorer in two games, but on Friday, Richardson’s hot hand helped Nash finish with 12 assists.

“He’s such a good player,” Nash said of Richardson. “We’d like to give him every chance to be successful.”

The Wizards (2-4) are very aware of Richardson’s ability to take over a game. He scored a 2008-09 season-high 35 points in a 128-96 home win over Washington on March 21.

Richardson was held to nine points when the Suns visited the Wizards on Jan. 26, but Phoenix won 103-87 for its fourth straight victory in the nation’s capital. Nash has averaged 18.0 points and 16.0 assists in those meetings.

The Suns have won five in a row overall against Washington since Gilbert Arenas(notes) scored 54 points in a wild 144-139 overtime win at Phoenix on Dec. 22, 2006, but Arenas has missed the last four meetings due to injury.

Arenas is healthy this season, but the Wizards are still finding their way without the injured Antawn Jamison(notes). After winning two of their first three games, they’ve dropped three in a row, the latest a 102-86 loss Friday at Indiana.

“I’m very disappointed,” coach Flip Saunders said after his team committed a season-high 19 turnovers. “Our effort was poor. We turned the ball over way too much. I told the guys I’m going to have to take responsibility.”

Washington is shooting 38.7 percent during its three-game skid.

Arenas and Caron Butler(notes) are averaging a combined 42.0 points during that stretch, but Andray Blatche(notes) has been limited to 6.0 per game and was held to one point Friday. The fifth-year forward averaged 21.0 points in his first three games - including a career-high 30 in a win over New Jersey on Oct. 31.

Updated Nov 7, 2:37 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Phoenix 13-3 1st Pacific / 1st West 111.9 105.2 Road 7-3 Won 3 8-2
Washington 5-10 5th Southeast / 11th East 95.1 99.8 Home 3-4 Lost 1 3-7

Notes

F Grant Hill is the only Suns player to appear in every game this season. ... C Shaquille O'Neal failed to make the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season. ... F Luis Amundson won the Suns' Dan Majerle Hustle Award for outstanding effort.

Apr 16, 1:55 am EDT

F Caron Butler scored a season-high 39 points but couldn't keep the Wizards from matching their worst record for an 82-game season, 19-63, last in the Eastern Conference. ... Washington's Javaris Crittenton did not return after spraining his right ankle with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Apr 15, 11:24 pm EDT
NBA

52 Comments

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  1. readytofight50
    52. Posted by readytofight50 Tue Nov 10 6:28am EST

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    To 27 I agree with most of what u said about shaw and porter, but I gotta ask, u say that good offense beats good defense. Maybe in the regular season, but in the post season, defense always prevails. Orlando and Cleveland both had great offense, but Orlando had good d too. Two years ago, celtics had the beat d, they won. Last year, lakers best d they win. Suns need some defense, then they would be unstoppable.
  2. Jose
    51. Posted by Jose Mon Nov 9 4:53pm EST

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    mark ur mathafakin calendars yo!!! 11/12/2009. Lakers (6-1) vs. Phoenix (6-1) holla!!!!
  3. Louie
    50. Posted by Louie Mon Nov 9 4:18pm EST

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    Go Suns! The BIG CACTUS is gone. He's now "No BLING for the KING".
  4. Simeon
    49. Posted by Simeon Mon Nov 9 2:43pm EST

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    the suns are on a good start but they still cant mess with the lakers! thats a fact! and to all them ppl saying kobe cant beat lequeen they dont know b-ball! cuz lequeen even said he gets his game 4rm kobe! kobe haters get a life! and plus carmelo is the second best player in the league behind kobe not lequeen!
  5. jonathan p
    48. Posted by jonathan p Mon Nov 9 2:17pm EST

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    mas magaling lakers dito....panis ang suns.....go lakers.......
  6. Jose
    47. Posted by Jose Mon Nov 9 1:00pm EST

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    shaq was holding them back.
  7. <i>adrian_coria787</i>
    46. Posted by adrian_coria787 Mon Nov 9 12:42pm EST

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    as i phoenix fan, i wasnt expecting such a great start from them, if they keep playing at such a high level lakers aint gonna have it easy this season
  8. DAWG
    45. Posted by DAWG Mon Nov 9 10:12am EST

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    A much needed great start for the Suns, but Next month schedule is Murders ROW , with most games on the road, Lakers twice , Clevland x2, NO x2, Dallas x2 Spurs x2 Boston, Orl, Mia. Portland, Tor x2. Denverx2. If they come out of that still in the 3-4th spot in the west. The Last 2 months schedule is in there favor to make a huge run into the Playoffs@ a 2-3 seed in the west. Bench needs to keep getting better & with Lopez getting healthy he can provide more D in ther Middle. Also need to get more Minutes from the bench esecaily when They play inferior Teams. Suns Fans lets stay humble Like Nash says, and hang in there through this next month & 1/2. If where right there in the top of Things at the end of this 09 year watch out for a couple of 8 + win streaks in the final 2 months and a good run in the Playoffs to meet the Lakers in the Conf Finals. If you Dont Believe check out there schedule.

    GO SUNS
  9. <i>nicholass.savage45</i>
    44. Posted by nicholass.savage45 Mon Nov 9 9:37am EST

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    Only problem with the Suns roster over the past 7-8 yrs. is that the front office is too "trade happy". They bring in superb talent only to ship them right back out . Case in point joe johnson, eddie house, shaquille and others. They are always competitive with the best of the west. The only reason they haven't gotten to the ring ceremony is that they refuse to play defense. Everybody knows this, including the Suns. There just flat out committed to not doing it. Now I love watching Sun's basketball, but until they stop playing soft defensively, it won't matter who they suit up. Sad to say, come late May and June, the Lakers, Nuggets or Spurs will smack'em in the face like they always do. Oh, if they really want to change the culture there, it wouldn't hurt to hire an Avery Johnson.
  10. Steven
    43. Posted by Steven Mon Nov 9 9:29am EST

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    barrack is very disappointed on you wizards
  11. BrOncoz
    42. Posted by BrOncoz Mon Nov 9 8:57am EST

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    Nash is playin like a MVP
    and stoudamire is finally showin up after his dissapointing year
  12. k.gotti
    41. Posted by k.gotti Mon Nov 9 2:32am EST

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    lol look at the Suns fans tryna jump on the bandwagon cuz the team are 6-1
  13. jung
    40. Posted by jung Mon Nov 9 2:19am EST

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    Like many people here, I'm surprised how good the Suns are this year compared to last year.
  14. gmandog
    39. Posted by gmandog Mon Nov 9 1:16am EST

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    The difference between last year and this year's suns. ONly the addition of Channing Frye. Channing brings more speed at the center position and yet he can rebound and still step out and hit the 3 pointer. He's playing in his hometown and he's always been a team first guy. He had 4 years under Lute and has always been an "aw shucks" type of guy.
  15. Charles C
    38. Posted by Charles C Sun Nov 8 10:20pm EST

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    cant agree with 35 more

    Nash for MVP!
    go SUNS!
  16. none
    37. Posted by none Sun Nov 8 10:19pm EST

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    I'm from Phx and I am surprised the Suns have started so well. But, we have to remember that they've played about 8 games!! It's irrelevant at this point fans!! As far as people questioning if Nash's legacy as a player needs re-evaluated, they are out of their minds!! He's at the tail end of his career and he's still in the top 5% of point guards!! That's a testament to his natural abilities, and his hard work staying in peak physical condition.

    But, the Suns still have a lot of teams in the West to contend with, and I'm afraid they won't crack the top three at the end of the year. I think the Lakers, Dallas, Utah, San Antonio and Denver may have an edge on them. The Rockets can go either way, it's hard to tell without McGrady and Yao. The Hornets will be too inconsistent.
  17. Ephraim
    36. Posted by Ephraim Sun Nov 8 9:54pm EST

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    No. 34.........am very much agree with you men!!!
  18. <i>eldersimon_a143</i>
    35. Posted by eldersimon_a143 Sun Nov 8 9:00pm EST

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    he will win 3rd mvp this season steve nash 13
  19. onyokniwilly
    34. Posted by onyokniwilly Sun Nov 8 9:00pm EST

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    The most humble player and the most discipline player to play the NBA ever is Grant Hill... He has the true heart of an athlete.. 3 surgery that could have ended his career.. Men this guy is superman! he already has 4 double-double in the season.. Hill is the leading rebounder for the suns so far.. he still got it.. Honestly the SUNS are not as deep as any team in west.. not a chance if you look the roster.. But by the way they played, Nash finding the right man on the court, Richardson doing the offense and Hill doing a very good game. Amare has a lot of help at the starting player.. Impressive season start hope they make the playoffs. Thats my couple of penny for the suns..
  20. tony s
    33. Posted by tony s Sun Nov 8 8:54pm EST

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    Suns are playing great. steve nash must be satin. the guy plays like a young man. i can't stand the way he "never" say's that he had a bad game or that he wasn't up to speed. it's always, the team or someone else, never him. arrogant. if the suns do keep wining & get the best record this season, all they would be doing is building up their players value. then steve kerr will get more out of the trades he will make. unless he gets hurt, amare is gone this season.
    still a great start this year & even if they get the best record i do not consider them a title contender. history has shown that come post season, every top team steps it up, especially on defense & the suns lose. same style as all the other years, it'll be the same finish.
  21. Admiral Cowpollock
    32. Posted by Admiral Cowpollock Sun Nov 8 8:27pm EST

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    Andray Blatche? Sits the final 4:30. Does he have a fantasy future or just toast when Jamison returns?Would you drop him for Diaw?
  22. JUICEMAN
    31. Posted by JUICEMAN Sun Nov 8 8:18pm EST

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    The Suns are just that good...
  23. rebel
    30. Posted by rebel Sun Nov 8 8:09pm EST

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    Buster, don't be ridiculous, Nash is truly a great, Bowen is awesome too as is Parker. SUNS will go all the way in the West and go from there. Spurs, please... They had the Suns number but after the SUNS beatdown boston and will beat down Lakers we'll see who is laughing then.

    And Kobe is a p&*ck. Will never beat Jordon, not even beat Lebron
  24. King Jerry
    29. Posted by King Jerry Sun Nov 8 7:35pm EST

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    if you guys remember the suns had the best win record in the nba before they traded for shaq the following year . look it up. thats why it shouldnt be a surprise for a true suns fan that they are doing good without shaq
  25. John F
    28. Posted by John F Sun Nov 8 7:28pm EST

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    Does anybody still wanna question or doubt Steve Nash's age????

    He's 99.9% better than all the other guards of the NBA!!!!!

    He's a 2-time MVP for nothing, an All-Time Great, and one of the BEST ever to play the game of basketball!!!

    So to all his haters.....SHUT-UP!!!!!!!!
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