Nash has been nothing but trouble for Raptors
Toronto needs to keep Phoenix star off the board
Last Updated: Sunday, November 15, 2009 | 2:51 PM ET
CBC Sports
Steve Nash, in white, has been a handful for all the Raptors, including Jose Calderon. (Associated Press file)Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash may be Canada's favourite basketball son, but to the Toronto Raptors he has been nothing but a menace.
The Victoria, B.C., native, who has never lost to the Raptors as a member of the Suns, will look to guide his 8-2 club to their 11th consecutive victory against Toronto Sunday night at the US Airways Center.
Phoenix has been one of the pleasant surprises so far this season, with their only losses coming against last year's two championship finalists, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the Suns 121-102 on Thursday.
"Well, two weeks ago we weren't supposed to make the playoffs," said Nash. "You know, our team needs to look at this as a project. We are just trying to get better every day, and I think we are improving."
For the Raptors, resiliency has been the key in the club's last two victories. They trailed the Chicago Bulls by 11 points in the third on Wednesday, only to come from behind for a 99-89 win.
Despite falling behind 22 in their last game, Toronto fought back for a 104-89 defeat of the Los Angeles Clippers out on the coast.
"We started the game very bad and they went up 20 points, but after halftime our defence was much better and that gave us the confidence to score the ball," Raptors centre Andrea Bargnani said.
"We gave more effort and were more focused."
However, trailing the Suns for an extended period of time could prove to be problematic, as Phoenix is scoring 111.3 points per game, second most in the league. Toronto averages 107.7 (fourth-best).
"We're a good team but we have to do it from the beginning," Raptors point guard Jose Calderon said after the victory against the Clippers.
If Toronto (5-4) is to extend its winning streak to three games, it will need to limit the productivity of Nash, who is netting 17.1 points, and Amare Stoudemaire.
The Suns all-star centre has averaged 28 points on 65.3 per cent shooting in his last three meetings against the Raptors.
Toronto will look for Chris Bosh to continue his strong start to the season, as the Texas native is scoring 28 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
With files from the Canadian Press
