The real and true beginning of this game came when Dragan Bender hit the bottom (yes, I wrote that correctly) of the backboard on an open three. Bender is definitely the type of guy who would actually be hurt by the idea of a revenge opportunity against the team that cut bait with him before the end of his rookie contract.
A few moments later, Bender responded by hitting a triple over Deandre Ayton to give the Suns a 10-8 lead.
On the Suns’ side, Ricky Rubio continued the most energetic stretch of play he’s produced in months with four points and three assists before checking out with 5:25 to go in the first and the Suns up 6.