Coach Bickerstaff lost this one in the second quarter. Cleveland had gotten out to a good start in the first led by Darius Garland’s seven points and four dimes in the frame, and had built a 14 point lead by the 8:40 mark of the second. Unfortunately, that’s as good as this one got. Darius was clearly gassed and instead of giving him a rest, coach inserted Ricky Rubio next to him after Phoenix had cut it to seven – spelling doom for later. Coach should’ve been staggering the team’s primary ballhandlers on the third game in four nights.
Recap: Phoenix 101, Cleveland 92 (or, Weary Legs, Weary Minds)
