Flamengo falls to the Phoenix Suns

Brazilian champions Flamengo fell to the Phoenix Suns 100-88 as they got their three game NBA tour underway where they will also play the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.

It is often assumed that when a big NBA franchise meets a club from another global region that the US team will trample the opposition. However, Flamengo has won the Brazilian NBB for the last two seasons, are no pushovers, and met a Phoenix roster still warming up for a busy 2014/2015 Pacific Division season. However, after an exciting game Flamengo eventually yielded and the Phoenix Suns came away with the win.

Phoenix Suns vs. Flamengo, 100-88
The Suns seemed complacent in the opening exchanges, either caught cold or underestimating their opponents, allowing Flamengo to pace to 11-4 and 15-8 leads. Phoenix tactician Jeff Hornacek called a timeout to put a stop to the sloppy attacking plays that had saw five layups missed so far. Switching the roster the bench got the Suns back into the game, but Flamengo fought hard and held a 21-26 lead after ten minutes.

Phoenix would have been frustrated by missed opportunities in Q1, but kept missing shots at the start of the second quarter. The home team finally opened a 7-0 run and finally took its first lead of the game to move ahead 34-33 midway through the second frame. From there the NBA outfit finally found some touch at the bucket and moved to a 19-4 run that eventually wrestled control from the Brazilians. As the long break descended the Suns had opened a solid 54-43 lead.

That double digit 11 point cushion would prove the difference through the game. The second half started the same way as the first, with the Phoenix Suns starters making a hash of attacking plays and generally looking a little slow on the hardwood. Flamengo took full advantage as the visitors put together a 7-16 run to make it a two point game at 61-59. It forced Hornacek to call another T, but this time the bench shakeup did not help. Flamengo stuck with the NBA superstars to stay in contention after 30 minutes, the scoreboard reading 71-66.

The up and down form of the Suns continued in the fourth quarter, but this time for the better as the home team posted a 17-0 run at the start of the stanza. It was a game winning run even if the starting five of Phoenix was still not lighting up the court. Credit to Flamengo for never letting it get comfortable, but the visitors run out of steam and the Phoenix Suns brought up a 100 points to win the game.

Isaiah Thomas led the Suns with 18 points, while Eric Bledsoe secured 15 points, and Markieff Morris 13.

Marcelo Magalhaes nailed 16 points in the losing effort, followed by Jerome Meyinsse with 15 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVNDNqRdW4