The Suns decided Oct. 29 wasn't soon enough for midseason-like dramatics. Their new, 2014-15 selves came out on top for the first time in such circumstances, winning 114-108 over the Lakers at The Honda Center in Anaheim.
Head Coach Jeff Hornacek still kept playing time a fairly even affair. Only Isaiah Thomas (31) and P.J. Tucker (31) logged more than 30 minutes, though five Suns scored in double figures despite the limited playing time.
What was there to take away from such preseason dramatics? Three things:
3. Running will always be an option
For the second consecutive game, Phoenix scored at least 30 points off the fast break. Last season they led the league with just 18 transition points per contest, so it appears they've taken Hornacek's "we can do better" campaign seriously.
It doesn't hurt that they have a trio of point guards who produced at an All-Star level last season, either.
2. Thomas seized the game by the throat
Don't let his 5-9 height fool you. Isaiah Thomas is the one looming large if Phoenix needs a hot hand.
After starting 0-for-3 from the field, the free agent signee righted the ship before the Lakers knew what was happening. He scored 26 points on just 12 shots (making half of them), with the majority of his production (more on this in a second) coming at the free throw line.
1. The Suns won ugly
The Lakers shot nearly 10 percent better overall, had 10 more assists and didn't let Phoenix off the hook by taking too many three-pointers (only 14).
Didn't matter. Phoenix won thanks to winning the glass (plus-three in rebounds) and dramatically improved free throw shooting (27-30 FT).
When overtime arrived, Gerald Green took over not with three-pointers -- okay, he had one -- but with free throws. The normally high-flying swingman played a grounded game in the extra frame, hitting seven of eight freebies and assisting on two Shavlik Randolph buckets to put the game away.