Bledsoe, Dragic Lead Suns Past Pistons

98

92

They're back.

Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe teamed up in the same way that got them so much early-season notice, combing for 43 points on 14-of-28 shooting as the Suns beat the Pistons, 98-92.

The duo added 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals while committing just five turnovers total. When they weren't on the floor together, one was providing quality rest for the other while keeping the pressure on the Pistons.

"I think I had a better feel today, instead of just coming out and just forcing stuff," Bledsoe said. "I kind of just played with a little more rhythm today."

"It's much easier for me when we're, at the same time, on the floor or when he's running the offense when I'm on the bench," Dragic said. "It's really tough to defend [us] like that that. For me, now that he's back, I'm getting a lot more open shots, especially corner threes. It's much easier."

Markieff Morris added 16 point and eight rebounds off the bench, using his quickness to get by Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Monroe fouled out late in the game, robbing Detroit of a sorely needed interior scorer.

Phoenix held the Pistons to 4-of-16 from beyond the arc.

Detroit had turned a double-digit deficit into a four-point lead with 8:33 remaining after Rodney Stuckey (23 points) made a three-pointer.

Bledsoe and Morris took over, scoring or assisting on 20 of the Suns' final 21 points. The final field goal was the biggest: a slashing Bledsoe layup with 48 seconds left after Will Bynum had cut the lead to three.

"I can't believe they missed another one." -- Jeff Hornacek on what he was thinking as both teams combined to miss 27 free throws on 61 attempts.

Eric Bledsoe turned in his best performance since returning from knee surgery, going off for 23 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals while logging a team-high 38 minutes.

0: the number of free throws Pistons forward Josh Smith made on eight attempts