AJC: Phoenix Suns at Larry Drew stays big with lineup

[Hawksquawk]

L.D. is using the same lineup today as he did at Minnesota: Bibby, J.J., Josh, Al and Collins.

That alignment “worked out better than I thought it would” against the T-Wolves, Drew said, but he considered changing it today for one reason: “Their strength is they have one of the best pick-and-roll players in the game.”

That would be Steve Nash, of course. Remember that Woody’s switches worked pretty well on Nash because Josh and Al could contain him on the dribble and make him take challenged jumpers.

Nash’s numbers against the Hawks in two games last season: 9 points, 8.5 assists, 33.3% FG, 0% 3FG, 29 min. His numbers overall: 16.5 points, 11 assists, 51% FG, 43% 3FG, 33 min.

L.D. said the Suns run so many pick-and-rolls the Hawks will get caught in switches whether they want to our not. If it turns out the bigs can’t handle them then he said he would go smaller.

“I don’t want to put them in bad situations,” he said.

As for Smoove at small forward, L.D. said he “did a good …

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