Phoenix Suns Recap: 106-85 Dismantling of the San Antonio Spurs

Feb 21, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard

(1) celebrates with guard Ish Smith (3) against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at US Airways Center. The Suns won 106-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX — If you didn’t already know, the Phoenix Suns can’t stand the San Antonio Spurs. They’ve been the thorn in their side — their kryptonite, if you will. So, a 21-point win over the hated Spurs feels that much better and the main contributors in the 106-85 win were a welcome surprise as well.

Markieff Morris led the Suns with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, but it was the play of Ish Smith that ignited the sellout crowd and the entire Suns team. Smith scored a career-high 15 points with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks for the Suns, who shot 51.2 percent as a team.

The Suns didn’t have their usual production from Goran Dragic, who scored just eight points with five assists. They also got just four points each from P.J. Tucker and Miles Plumlee. They shot just 5-for-25 (20 percent) from the 3-point line, with Gerald Green going 0-for-5.

Still, the Suns forced 18 turnovers and held the Spurs to 34.9 percent shooting from the field and 2-for-21 (9.5 percent) shooting from the 3-point line. Patty Mills had been a major spark off the bench for the Spurs, but he scored just four points and shot just 2-for-14.

The win brings the Suns to a season-high 12 games over .500 at 33-21, with a 19-9 record at home. They are now 3-0 since the All-Star break and currently reside in the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference.

Suns by the Numbers

• Despite having a substandard game, Dragic led the Suns with a +29 rating.
• The Suns and Spurs both had 48 points in the paint.
• Archie Goodwin appeared in the game (four point), his first action since February 1st.

Bright Side 

Ish Smith gets a lot of love around the league for his quickness and it was on display Friday night. He can change a game with his speed. He’s not the best shooter, but because of his quickness, he’s been able to get to the basket and he’s been able to draw defenders, making his teammates better.

Dark Side

I hate to rag on Miles Plumlee, but he’s completely changed from the guy who played at the beginning of the year. He played just 19 minutes and took just one shot. He grabbed four rebounds, didn’t block a shot and turned the ball over twice. The Suns will need more production out of him in the playoffs.

Coming Up

The Suns will play host to the Houston Rockets on Sunday February 23, from US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.