Phoenix flurry helps it gain confidence

The Suns are halfway through this week's four-game swing through the Eastern Conference, headed to Chicago and Milwaukee after doing damage in New Jersey and Indiana, and I must say, I'm impressed.
As detailed in this week's Essentials, it didn't look like Phoenix had much of a swagger through the season's first week, and looked ripe for the picking with two road back-to-backs to deal with amid so much uncertainty.
When Steve Nash looks like he's struggling with the controls, you worry.
While beating the Nets and Pacers doesn't rank up there with solving world hunger or winning the presidency, the manner in which the Suns won should help them rest easier without the need of those Radisson sleep-number beds.
Phoenix followed up a dominant 114-86 victory over the Nets with a 113-103 stomping of the Pacers.
Shaquille O'Neal was expected to get the night off, so it wasn't an issue that he got in foul trouble early and was basically absent. Nash played only 33 minutes and the Suns still ran past an Indiana team built in the spirit of their old identity. Despite T.J. Ford, Danny Granger and Marquis Daniels running the floor, the younger Pacers got dusted.
Outside of a 10-2 early deficit, there was little to be concerned about. Once Phoenix got its feet set in the game, it coasted. Same thing happened against the Nets. These performances, away from home, albeit in sparsely attended arenas against below-average teams, aids team morale.
Grant Hill started and looked sharp despite having to play 35 minutes due to Matt Barnes' family emergency (birth of twins), possibly giving Porter something to think about down the road when his team needs another spark. Amare Stoudemire started out 10-for-10 and finished with 41 points (17-for-21), while Boris Diaw was active and eased the absence of Phoenix's missing bodies inside.
Considering Diaw could rarely get it going in Atlanta and flourished under D'Antoni, some league observers predicted he'd regress right back into passive mode without the ball in his hands as often, but he's come to play.
Two weekend wins against another pair of younger teams that like to get up and down would really set minds at ease, helping the Suns return home at 6-1 with home games against Memphis, Houston and Detroit on tap next week.

Wednesday's +/- report: Hill (+5, 11 points) looked about as fresh and mobile as he's had since returning to the court full-time a few seasons ago. He was credited with four blocks and seemed to be showing off how good he felt on the second night of a back-to-back. Pacers rookie Brandon Rush (-19, nine points) was among those abused by Hill's friskiness... Travis Diener (+3) scored a basket in eight minutes in his first action of the season...Tayshaun Prince (+10, 27 points, 10-for-13) showed off how versatile a scorer he can be when the Pistons need him to score. Allen Iverson, in attendance, no doubt took notice. He hasn't had many second options better than Prince, who runs fourth in Detroit... Jason Kapono (-6, 0-for-6) could've kept the Raptors unbeaten if he'd knocked down a couple timely shots he came up empty on... Mario Chalmers' (+18) nine-steal night helped set the tone on what was a difficult night for Philadelphia in South Florida. Fellow rookie Michael Beasley (+18, 17 points, nine rebounds) had another strong night, punctuated by better-than-average defense. He's been up and down in that facet of the game, but at least he's giving the effort... Thaddeus Young (-23) scored 19 points, but was charged with five turnovers on a forgettable night... Emeka Okafor (+14, 16 points, 15 rebounds) didn't let his Bobcats down. Nazr Mohammed did (-12 in 2:59), suffering a rougher return to New York than head coach Larry Brown... The Knicks survived a brutal night from Quentin Richardson (-17, 1-for-9, six turnovers) thanks to Nate Robinson (+14, 24 points, 9-for-12)... Derrick Rose's highlights looked pretty, but he really struggled after his strong start and ended up at -18 against the Cavs despite 20 points and seven assists...LeBron James (+22, 41 points, nine rebounds, six assists) had way too much fun with ex-teammate Drew Gooden (-20, 4-for-13). A lot of the clowning sure looked personal... Tough night for Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler (-20 each, 15-for-34 combined), who know the shorthanded drill by now. If they don't play well, the Wizards are going to lose. Took overtime in Milwaukee... Richard Jefferson (+19, 32 points, nine assists) made the case for himself to be the Bucks' offensive focal point even when Michael Redd (ankle) returns... Proof this +/- thing isn't an exact science: Finley, despite 1-for-9 shooting, registered a team-high +12. Tony Parker, 55 points and all, was just +7... Paul Pierce (+20, 20 points, nine boards, five assists) continued his marvelous run as the Celtics corralled OKC.