Phoenix Suns find success without 3s during hot stretch

Only Atlanta and Golden State played more successful basketball than the Suns since Dec. 17.

But half of the league has shot better than the Suns from the 3-point line in that time.

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek hopes that has changed how his team views its path to wins. They do not need to live and die by the 3. The Suns have been second only to Golden State for scoring (111.4 points per game) and shooting (48.9 percent overall) during this 12-4 stretch even though the Suns have been mediocre on 3s (35.6 percent).

"We've done a good job of getting to the basket and getting easier shots and not just jacking up the 3s," Hornacek said.

"Teams will focus at times at running you off those 3s. Early in the season, maybe we said, 'Oh, if we're not getting them up, we're not going to win.' At least they showed we don't need to make 3s to win games."

The Suns are Warriors are the two best fast-break scoring teams this season, helping their efficiency for when the 3s are not falling. But the two teams also have been the best mid-range shooting teams over the past month.

The Suns get almost one-third of their shots within 5 feet on the strength of three penetrating point guards and a versatile power forward but the team also has made 45.5 percent of its shots between 10 and 19 feet during the 12-4 stretch.

"Everyone gets enamored with those 3s," Hornacek said. "Sometimes, you can just bore them to death with shorter shots."

Give me 4!

If Suns swingman Gerald Green catches fire tonight and TNT cuts to a Suns fan raising a foam hand, the national audience might become confused.

A high four?

It is the Suns Team Shop's Gerald Green "Four-fingered Assassin" foam hand, featuring a ring finger nub to reflect how Green's right ring finger was amputated above his lower knuckle when he was 11. Green was wearing his mother's class ring when he jumped to touch a ledge above his home's hallway door and caught the ring on a nail, tearing his finger's skin and tendons.

Until about four years ago, Green never discussed it. He grew up sensitive about it because he was teased in school and fought back at the urging of his father. Lately, Green has shared his story to inspire others with how he withstood losing a finger on his shooting hand to become a top NBA shooter and arguably the best dunker.

The foam hand was created on the suggestion of Suns digital manager Greg Esposito and started selling last week for $12, exclusively at the US Airways Center team shop.

"It's cool, unique and different," Green said of the $12 foam hand, available exclusively at the arena's team shop. "I'm excited to see them. Every time I see one, it reminds me of everything I've overcome and how I'm now not shy about missing my finger. Being able to overcome that and for the team to work for me and make a foam thing as a symbol of my hand is an honor. It really is."

Goodwin eyes title

Suns guard Archie Goodwin has scored 24 points in each game of his D-League assignment to Bakersfield, helping the Jam to today's D-League Showcase Cup championship against Grand Rapids.

Goodwin has shown improved help-side defense but the other goal of improving his jump shot is a work in progress. He went four for 23 from the perimeter in the past two games.

"He's doing a nice job with his form and getting the shot up but that's why we want him to play in these games — to get used to doing it in a game," Hornacek said. "It's different. It's a different speed. You can line everything up when you're in shooting practice here but the speed of a game is a lot different and you've got to be able to still shoot that way so it's good experience for him."

Plumlee trade rumor

ESPN reported that the Suns are "actively shopping" center Miles Plumlee for a trade.

Plumlee began the season as a second-year starting center but was replaced by Alex Len in the starting lineup and then lost his backup job when the Suns acquired Brandan Wright. Plumlee still has been worked into regular rotation time for the past three games with Wright.

Monday night's game

Lakers at Suns

When: 8 p.m.

Where: US Airways Center.

TV/radio: TNT/KMVP-FM (98.7).

Lakers update: Los Angeles (12-29) has lost four games in a row, including three at home. The Lakers' starting backcourt of Kobe Bryant (rest) and Ronnie Price (right elbow) is doubtful to play. Bryant, shooting a career-low 37.2 percent this season, sat out of Friday's 95-85 loss to Utah after a 19-point, 17-assist game in a loss to Cleveland. The Lakers are 2-5 without Bryant. The Suns can sweep the four-game series after averaging 115.7 points in the first three meetings.