Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns

Toronto (5-4) at Phoenix (8-2)

The Phoenix Suns’ strong play has been surprising to some. Another win over the Toronto Raptors, however, would hardly be unexpected.

The Suns, coming off their worst game during what has been an otherwise terrific start, look to beat the Raptors for the 11th straight time Sunday night.

Expectations weren’t very high after Phoenix (8-2) missed the playoffs last season. The Suns, though, have been one of the league’s biggest early surprises, with their only losses coming against last summer’s NBA finalists.

Phoenix fell 121-102 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. It lost 122-100 to Orlando on Nov. 4.

“Well two weeks ago we weren’t supposed to make the playoffs,” point guard Steve Nash(notes) said of the Suns’ critics. “You know, our team needs to look at this as a project. We are just trying to get better every day, and I think we are improving.”

Phoenix had its worst shooting game of the season versus the Lakers, making 36.5 percent of its attempts after hitting at least 45.5 percent in each of its first nine contests.

Still, Phoenix scored 100 points in its first 10 games for the first time since a 12-game run to start the 1990-91 season. The Suns seem likely to extend that run Sunday.

Phoenix has won 10 in a row over Toronto (5-4), averaging 118.2 points and shooting 52.2 percent, since a 101-94 home loss Feb. 10, 2004. The Raptors have also struggled defensively this season, giving up 106.4 points per game




Toronto has had a particularly tough time trying to stop Amare Stoudemire in recent years. The Suns’ big man averaged 28.0 points and shot 65.3 percent in his last three games against the Raptors.

Stoudemire, though, is coming off his worst game of the season, going 2 for 15 from the field and finishing with eight points. Stoudemire and his teammates may have run out of gas in their seventh game in 10 days.

“We are going to try to get our proper rest and get ready for these big games moving forward,” Stoudemire said.

Toronto began a four-game road trip on the right foot, beating the Clippers 104-89 on Friday night.

Chris Bosh(notes) had yet another big game for the Raptors with 21 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The four-time All-Star is averaging 28.0 points and 11.8 rebounds.

Marco Belinelli(notes) again gave Toronto a boost off the bench, scoring a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

The third-year guard is 11 for 22 from 3-point range.

“Guys from the bench are very important. We have to … be ready to be aggressive and that’s what I do,” Belinelli said.

He helped the Raptors reach 100 points for the eighth time in nine games. They are averaging 107.7 points compared to the Suns’ 111.3.