It took two overtimes and 267 combined points, but the Phoenix Suns were finally able to knock off the young and stingy Atlanta Hawks, 135-132.
It was an interesting and tumultous game in which the Suns hit 18 of 44 3 point field goals and scored 71 points at the half befor collapsing and nearly losing the game.
For the Hawks, despite the loss, it is a step forward for them and their quest for the playoffs, as they were able to score and incredible 88 points in the paint to stay with the league\'s best offensive team.
Al Horford, the rookie from Florida, connected on 11 of 14 shots and finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Josh Smith added 26 on 11-15 from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. As a team, the Hawks shot 15 of 28 from long range. Joe Johnson led the barrage, connected on 6-9 and finishing with 32 points.
\"It was the polar opposite of last game, but I\'m pleased, because we had open shots and we made them,\" Mike Woodson said. \"But our defense was horrendous and it cost us.\"
The Hawks horrid defense let the Suns explode from deep as Raja Bell scored 26 on 8-11 from deep. Leandro Barbosa finished with 21 on 5-9 from behind the line. Steve Nash added 22 points and 15 assists, while hitting 4-10 on threes.
\"We tried to stop Amare [Stoudemire] inside and we did, but they kept making threes. Among the success, several Suns struggled from deep. Shawn Marion hit just 1-7 and Grant Hill missed all 6 threes.
For the Hawks, it is their second loss of the season in 4 games, as they drop to .500 on the year.
They will look to get back on track, but it won\'t be easy as the Big Three and the rest of the Celtics stand in their way.
