Reenergized Morris throws down thunderous slam in return to starting lineup

In tapping Earl Watson as interim coach, the Suns hoped to infuse some energy into a struggling team. For one night at least, it worked for Markieff Morris.

Morris returned to the starting lineup in Earl Watson's debut and scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Morris' thunderous dunk on Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas summarized the forward's rejuvenation.

This one-handed slam came after Morris came up short on a similar dunk attempt last month -- though on that one he may have taken off from a bit farther from the hoop.

"I wasn't tired like that one when I got rim-blocked," Morris said.

Morris, who hasn't spoken often to the media this season, also discussed the coaching change after the Suns' 104-97 home loss.

"Jeff (Hornacek) was my guy," Morris said. "Me and him were was here for three years together and he was a great coach. I really liked him a whole lot. It is just how the league goes. We are definitely going to miss him but coach told me before the game I was going to get my shots and I just got hot."