fBasketballBlog

Nash is thriving in the Suns' return to offensive glory. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

[Read the full, original post at Dimemag.com]

Beast of the Night: Steve Nash finished with 16 points, 2 threes, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers last night. He shot 64 percent (7-11) from the field but didn’t shoot any free throws. Nash continues to do well in the Suns’ return to their run-and-gun style of play, as his points, threes, assists and shooting percentages are all up from last season.

Notable lines:
Luol Deng – 8-16 FG (50%), 7-7 FT (100%), 1 3ptm, 24 Pts, 13 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 TO

Danilo Gallinari – 6-17 FG (35%), 0-1 FT (0%), 6 3ptm, 18 Pts, 3 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 TO

John Salmons – 7-14 FG (50%), 5-5 FT (100%), 1 3ptm, 20 Pts, 7 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 4 TO

Rashard Lewis – 3-9 FG (33%), 1-2 FT (50%), 2 3ptm, 9 Pts, 3 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO

Michael Beasley – 8-15 FG (53%), 6-8 FT (75%), 22 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO

Amar’e Stoudemire – 9-19 FG (47%), 9-11 FT (82%), 27 Pts, 11 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk, 3 TO

Waiver wire watch:
Taj Gibson, J.J. Redick, Dorell Wright, Jerryd Bayless

Injuries:
Tyrus Thomas (arm): non-contact practice Thursday, should return before 2010

Chauncey Billups (groin): questionable tonight

Richard Hamilton (hamstring): could return tonight

Larry Hughes (groin): will miss at least one more game

Jameer Nelson (knee): will practice this weekend, could return next week

Lou Williams (jaw): practiced Thursday, return is near

Allen Iverson (knee, shoulder): arthritis in both areas, out tonight

Jason Richardson (hand): sat out last night, could return this weekend

Greg Oden (knee): says he hopes to return this season, but ignore him for now

Who to watch tonight:
Willie Green, Michael Redd, Gilbert Arenas, Anthony Randolph, Ty Lawson

For next week:
4 games: CLE, HOU, IND, LAC, PHO, SA
3 games: ATL, BOS, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, GS, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NY, OKC, ORL, POR, SAC, UTA, WAS
2 games: CHA, MEM, NJ, NO, PHI, TOR