'Tis The Season

If there's anything positive for the Phoenix Suns to take away from closing out 2012 on the road against the Western Conference's most formidable team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's that their first matchup of the new year is bound to be against a less daunting opponent. Turns out it...

By Rob Kroehler

December 27, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

If there's anything positive for the Phoenix Suns to take away from closing out 2012 on the road against the Western Conference's most formidable team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's that their first matchup of the new year is bound to be against a less daunting opponent. Turns out it is. But don't tell that to the Philadelphia 76ers.

With a newly revived b-ball rivalry in NYC and the hoopla in South Beach hogging all the headlines, the Sixers are well poised to be the dark horses of the Eastern Conference. Led by budding all-star Jrue Holiday, this season's young Philly squad has ardently embraced coach Doug Collins' blue-collar style and consequently jelled into a playoff contender with a roster only slightly more stacked than the Suns. Holiday's crew comes to US Airways Center on the heels of the holiday.

Wed., Jan. 2, 7 p.m., 2013

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.