Suns use 40-point first quarter to rout Hornets

Nov 12, 2:10 am EST

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PHOENIX (AP)—Bring on the world champions. The Phoenix Suns are ready.

The Suns tuned up for their early season showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers with a dominating 124-104 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.

The Suns (8-1) have the best record in the Western Conference and are tied with the Boston Celtics for the best mark in the NBA. The Lakers, who will be home for Thursday night’s game, are 6-1.

“When you’re playing the world champs, it’s always a great measuring stick,” Steve Nash(notes) said. “Now we go to LA and see how good we are.”

The Suns defintely were impressive against the Hornets, leading by 29 points at one juncture in the fourth quarter.

“It was a great win for us,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “I thought we played as well as we could in the first half. Offensively, we did a good job of staying in attack mode.”

However, Gentry downplayed the importance of the season’s first meeting against the Lakers.

“If we win, it counts as only one,” he said, “and if they win, it counts as only one.”

He continued to insist that it still is too early to assess the Suns, who were expected to finish in the middle of the pack in the West. “Maybe after 20 or 25 games we can,”

Amare Stoudemire and Nash combined to hit all eight of their first-quarter shots and the Suns used a sizzling opening period to demolish the slumping Hornets (3-6).

The last time the Suns had such an enviable record at the start of the season was 1980-81 when they began 11-1.

Phoenix’s 124 points were a season high and the win was their fourth in a row.

The victory also was the Suns’ 12th straight at home, including nine last season. They have not lost at US Airways Center since March 12 against Cleveland. This was the 29th consecutive game they have scored at least 100 points at home and improved their home record to 17-3 under Gentry, since he replaced Terry Porter in February.

Reaching 100 points in all nine games this season marks the first time they have done it since the 1990-91 season, and makes them the only team to score that many in every game this season.

Stoudemire led eight Phoenix players in double figures with 21 points. Grant Hill(notes) scored 18, Goran Dragic(notes) 14, Channing Frye(notes) and Jason Richardson(notes) 13 apiece, Nash had 12 and Jared Dudley(notes) and Leandro Barbosa(notes) 11 each. Nash also had 10 assists.

Chris Paul(notes) topped New Orleans with 25 points and Emeka Okafor(notes) scored 13.

While Gentry would prefer that his players remain low-key about the game against the Lakers, the players are excited.

“It’s going to be a good game—we’re leading the West in wins and so it’s definitely going to be a challenge for us, coming off a back-to-back,” Richardson said.

Stoudemire agreed. “The Lakers are on a three-day rest and at home, waiting for us,” he said. “We definitely want to go out there and win. We’re not going to back down from anyone.”

The Suns were outstanding in the opening period, hitting 16 of their 22 shots. Of their first 16 shots, they made 13, missing only three 3-pointers.

Stoudemire, using his maneuverability to get free under the basket, hit all five of his field goal attempts, and Nash, working the offense to perfection, was 3-for-3. He also had seven assists. The Suns finished the period with a 40-29 lead.

The Hornets were hurt early when David West(notes), their second-leading scorer, left after only 1:12 with a strained right knee. He limped to the locker room and missed about six minutes, but when he returned he was generally ineffective. West wound up with only 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting.

By halftime, the Suns had stretched their lead to 75-56, helped by a huge 23-9 rebounding advantage.

Phoenix padded its lead to 27 points, 85-58, early in the third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 13-5 in the first 7:13. Frye capped the burst with a 3-pointer. At the end of the quarter, when Phoenix led 101-77, the Suns had 11 3s, giving them 100 for the season, making them the fastest team in NBA history to reach that plateau.

Paul was impressed by the new-look Suns.

“They’re a totally different team,” he said. “They’re like the Phoenix Suns of my rookie year and my second year in the league. I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job of putting those pieces back together.”

Notes: The Suns were only 1-3 against the Lakers last season and are only 25-80 against them all-time at Los Angeles. … Before playing the Hornets, the Suns were shooting 47.1 percent from 3-point range—higher than 20 NBA teams’ overall field goal percentage.

Updated Nov 12, 2:10 am EST
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Phoenix at Toronto

Sun Nov 29, 2009, 1:00 pm EST

New Orleans at Sacramento

Sun Nov 29, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

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95 Comments

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  1. Laker Fan
    95. Posted by Laker Fan Fri Nov 13 1:25am EST

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    Yeah, Bynum sucks!! 26 pts and 15 boards is so average, LMAO.
  2. DC
    94. Posted by DC Fri Nov 13 1:05am EST

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    A-yo Celtics fans,

    Som'a you cats out there seem to think that the Celtics is invincible. Let me remind you that last year the Celtics had a very similar start, then when they ran into L.A., their confidence dropped and they started losing.

    A-yo Suns fans,

    You know, I like that you're stickin' wit' yo team until the end. That's a true fan. But I think ya'll should cut the sh!t talk, becuase the Lakers is up on you by over 20 points.
  3. DC
    93. Posted by DC Fri Nov 13 12:59am EST

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    Armando and Brandon,

    How the hell did you think that the Suns were going to blow out the Lakers? We ain't the defendin' champs for no reason, you freakin' idiots.

    Just look at the score. Who's dominating who?
  4. Steven
    92. Posted by Steven Fri Nov 13 12:51am EST

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    I HATE the Lakers like the Red Sox HATE the Yankees. I have that much contempt for those #$%'ers. It goes back to the Show Time days when the Suns were the scrimmage game for those guys like they have been the last couple of years. Kobe doesn't make it any better with his Ivy Leaguer Attitude. Laker fans are so obnoxiously arrogant like Yankee fans and there are SO many of them here in Phoenix. I see the score 85-62 Lakers late in the 3rd quarter. Looks like nothing has changed and all this hype about the Suns has been aired out, and it's time to go to bed with more contempt. Some day we'll beat those @#$%er's!!!!!

    VERY DISGRUNTLED SUNS FAN
  5. Laker Fan
    91. Posted by Laker Fan Thu Nov 12 10:43pm EST

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    #89 Sorry to disappoint you but Bynum is playing tonight.
  6. Armando
    90. Posted by Armando Thu Nov 12 10:25pm EST

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    Suns will win 114-101
  7. angloamer
    89. Posted by angloamer Thu Nov 12 9:49pm EST

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    I cant believe Bynum is out again, I said it would happen within two weeks of opening. I was off a couple of weeks. Why would the Lakers even count on this guy, he has injurys every year, what a waste. I wouldnt count much on that candy ass Gasol, he is not comming back at full strenth, if at all. The Suns are the new King of the West.
  8. Brandon
    88. Posted by Brandon Thu Nov 12 9:43pm EST

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    Suns will dominate!!!! they play defense now and have the best offense!!!!
    go suns!!!!
  9. Laker Fan
    87. Posted by Laker Fan Thu Nov 12 9:32pm EST

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    Hey# 77 Your pretty funny. In one comment you call someone else immature than you turn right around and show us all how immature you are in comment 78. Priceless.
  10. Gary
    86. Posted by Gary Thu Nov 12 8:49pm EST

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    antichrist666slayer - " Celtics Big 5 of Sheed, KG, Allen, Rondo, Pierce over Lakers Little 5 of ArRest, Kobe, SOdom, Bi-num, Gay-sol anytime of the week "

    The Celtics will be gasping for air and holding thier shorts by Christmas.
  11. ryan b
    85. Posted by ryan b Thu Nov 12 8:28pm EST

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    Suns lakers Yeah, i came into work early so i can leave and watch this game, go suns nash is the man, riley a christian wearing pastels and living at his moms priceless, go antichrist666 funny stuff.... should be a good game cant wait. and yes the suns owned the lakers in the playoffs, no they did not make it to the finals cause of Satan uh or Stern, suspending STAT and Diaw. damn cheap shot horry checking nash into the boards, then JJ breaking his face, and Amare's knee. Otherwise the suns would have a ring!!! so what if the suns only have two NBA finals appearances...
  12. Dian
    84. Posted by Dian Thu Nov 12 8:11pm EST

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    mr ok, man i got to disagree wit you. phil may not have talent to play I dont know because i never see him playing but i do know he has good read on any given game, he is critical and sharp. he is straight man, he is saying what it is..unlike any american cracker head who demand kiss ass rather than quality. in my opinian he still the best coach. I am just saying
  13. P
    83. Posted by P Thu Nov 12 6:47pm EST

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    Only the Lakers Lamar SOdom would marry a Cow-ry Kardashian
  14. Jim
    82. Posted by Jim Thu Nov 12 6:45pm EST

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    I'am not taking anything away from the Suns but with a healthy Gasol and Bynum there is no way they can beat the Lakers.I'am not making excuses for the Lakers either but we will see tonight because they still have the greatest player ever in Kobe Bryant and the man can break your heart.As far as the Celtics they are way to old and they will never make it 82 games with out injuries and fatigue sitting in.Get ready for a repeat.Lakers 2010 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. P
    81. Posted by P Thu Nov 12 6:45pm EST

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    #77 Riley,

    You are probably a little Christian guy who wears Pastel colors and still lives with his Mom
  16. confused
    80. Posted by confused Thu Nov 12 6:37pm EST

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    IT IS ONLY ONE GAME IN THE BIG PICTURE!!!!! that being said anyone who has spent a number of years around phx or LA as a basketball fan knows this is a good rivalrythat goes back decades between the fans pretty sure the players could care less about history. these TEAMS ARE ALL TRYING TO GET THE KINKS WORKED OUT AND BUILD A FOUNDATION OF WINS. but this is going to fun, early regular season it is anybodies guess as most all the suns lakers match ups for the last 40 years
  17. ADRIAN
    79. Posted by ADRIAN Thu Nov 12 6:11pm EST

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    This is a statement game for the Suns, so I wouldn't be surprised if they come out, run, dominate and win. Lakers on 4 days rest may not be so sharp, especially since they are missing the post-up and passing skills of Pau. Regardless, if the Lakers are able to slow this game down, then the Lakers will come out victorious.
  18. Riley
    78. Posted by Riley Thu Nov 12 6:01pm EST

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    mr. ok. you want to know why kareem abdul jabarr cant be a coach? because kareem jablunt cant pass a drug test
  19. Riley
    77. Posted by Riley Thu Nov 12 5:57pm EST

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    antichrist666slayer, you are a dumbass. first of all pau gasol is hurt, second of all your little puns are at about a 4 year olds maturity level. also rondo is the second shortest player in the league. so how are your @#$%y celtics "BIG"
  20. P
    76. Posted by P Thu Nov 12 5:52pm EST

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    Celtics Big 5 of Sheed, KG, Allen, Rondo, Pierce over the Lakers Little 5 of ArRest, Kobe, SOdom, Bi-num, Gay-sol anytime of the week
  21. Trent
    75. Posted by Trent Thu Nov 12 5:48pm EST

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    talk to me when the real season starts ..... we play for rings not for records !!!!
  22. Dian
    74. Posted by Dian Thu Nov 12 5:39pm EST

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    I hope laker keep them below 100.
  23. P
    73. Posted by P Thu Nov 12 5:37pm EST

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    Celtics Big 5 of Sheed, KG, Allen, Rondo, Pierce over Lakers Little 5 of ArRest, Kobe, SOdom, Bi-num, Gay-sol anytime of the week
  24. reynaldo
    72. Posted by reynaldo Thu Nov 12 4:43pm EST

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    its going to be the lakers...remember the games in staples center...lakers territory
  25. Romualdo II V
    71. Posted by Romualdo II V Thu Nov 12 4:34pm EST

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    No excuses. Bynum or not, Gasol or Not, the Lakers should be able to handle the rejuvenated Phoenix team because they are the world champs. Stop making excuses before a game and have some fate in your team. You guys sound like kids, making excuses all the time. And the game means a lot to Phoenix. To be able to beat the world champs and the best NBA player would do wonders for their morale.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 New Orleans
C. Paul Chris Paul
9-16,  25 Pts
0 Rebs, 6 Assists
 Phoenix
C. Frye Channing Frye
4-9,  13 Pts
6 Rebs, 5 Assists

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