At 90.7 possessions per game, the Suns' pace ranks 23rd in the NBA and ahead of only New Orleans in the West.
 
"We would like to get the pace up," point guard Steve Nash said. "We've had stretches where it's pretty good but overall it's not that good.

"(Giving up offensive rebounds) hurts it for sure by spending a fairly good percentage more time on your defensive end."

Dallas grabbed 19 offensive rebounds against the Suns in a 98-89 Mavericks win on Wednesday night but the damage was more to the tempo than by the conversions. Dallas scored only 14 points off those 19 second chances, thanks to the improved defense holding Dallas to 41.8 percent shooting.

"If you give up 20 (offensive rebounds), that's 20 times you don't get to run," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said.