Dec. 11, 2006 -- After a 1-5 start to the season, the Phoenix Suns are starting to look even better than the team that made it to the Western Conference Finals the last two seasons.

With last night’s impressive 114-84 win over the Bobcats, Phoenix ran its winning streak to 10 games and pulled to within a half a game of the Pacific Division leading Lakers.

Now the Suns face the class of the Eastern Conference, Orlando Magic, in a match-up of two hot teams down in sunny Florida.

Read what people are saying about the Suns…

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic looks back at the win over the Bobcats that pushed the streak to double digits...

"After Charlotte made as many shots in Sunday's first half against Phoenix as it did in its previous game, the Suns were done toying with the NBA's toddler.

"After all, this is a third-year Bobcats club that has yet to be on national television and now boasts consecutive 30-point losses. Phoenix asserted itself like the league's hottest team, getting defensive for a 15-0 run early in the third quarter that sent the Suns to their season's biggest rout, a 114-84 win, and their 10th consecutive victory.

"For a team that gets panned for not putting teams away, the Suns have wins of 18, 15 and 30 in a two-week span. This one was ideal with a larger test looming tonight at Eastern Conference leader Orlando."
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Jerry Brown of the East Valley Tribune shines light on the Phoenix bench...

"When they signed on as depth players for the Suns, they knew that coach Mike D’Antoni’s philosophy on playing time was simple and non-negotiable. 'I usually dance with the girl I took to the party,' D’Antoni said, summing up his take on a short bench.

“'Opportunities do come up — injuries, slumps — but I don’t create them.'

"But for Pat Burke, Jumaine Jones, Sean Marks and Eric Piatkowski, the back end of the Phoenix bench might as well be equipped with shackles and chains. With his team coming off a grueling, double-overtime marathon in New Jersey the night before, D’Antoni still used just nine players in Friday’s 116-111 win in Boston — and another potential opportunity for a bench contribution evaporated."
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David DuPree of USA Today praises Steve Nash for stepping up this week...

"Had an NBA season-high 20 assists against Sacramento, a career-high 42 points against New Jersey and a double-double against Boston as he averaged 23.0 points, 15.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and shot 71.4% from three-point range (10-for-14) in a 3-0 Suns' week.
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Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel opines that the Suns' style of play isn't easily duplicated...

"A few tried imitation, only to learn it isn't always the highest form of flattery.

"So the Raptors retracted. The Pacers paused. And even the Heat has halted.

"When the Suns arrive Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, they'll arrive with a style that is unique, a frenetic offensive approach that stresses a shot within the first seven seconds of the 24-second clock."
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Ra of The Rising Suns: Phoenix Suns Blog points to Boris Diaw returning to his 2006 Playoffs form...

"I think it's finally safe to say but Boris is coming around. He had another great game last night where he was much more agressive around the rim and just playing with more energy. I think he will find that if he starts looking for his shot more it is going to open up easier passing opportunities. His driving finesse layup on the break was a thing of beauty."
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