Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Hornets

by TexSUN on Dec 15, 2007 1:25 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Updated: 12/16/2007 11:47 ET

I will be traveling the next few days, and my availability to post will be limited. For the sake of brevity (and because I have about an hour to write this and pack), there are no fancy YouTubes or other details other than a brief preview for the game. For television broadcast information and game time, see the "Upcoming Games" section in the left sidebar.

The Suns begin their most challenging road trip of the season thus far in New Orleans tonight to take on the Hornets. The Hornets are on the second night of a back-to-back, and will be looking to bounce back from a road loss to the Mavericks. The Suns have been resting since that thrilling victory over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.

SueB will be doing the recap for this game, and some live blogging as well. Be sure to check the comments during the game for her commentary, and look for the recap in the Diaries after the game.

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Likely starters

Suns - Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire

Hornets - Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, Tyson Chandler

Going to try to blog a little differently tonight and see how it goes. Not as much trying to catch every specific highlight, more commenting on how things are going. Others welcome to comment as well.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 5:43 PM MST reply actions

Oh, for crying out loud

Instant DVR meltdown just as the telecast is supposed to begin. Rebooting ... and I like listening to the game intros by the other teams' announcers because they're always so excited to be calling a Suns' game.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:02 PM MST reply actions

Paul vs Nash PG matchup being hyped

In interview with Hornets' coach Byron Scott.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:07 PM MST reply actions

Rasual Butler starting

Stojakovic is unavailable after re-aggravating a groin injury last night in their loss at Dallas.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:11 PM MST reply actions

Suns wearing orange unis

Just like my shirt! :)

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:13 PM MST reply actions

Grant Hill is guarding Chris Paul

Nash guarding Peterson
Bell on Butler

Suns start cold, including lots of misses on chippies. But Hornets not exactly heating it up either.

Nice steal and stuff by Amare. Little runner by Steve.

8-8 afer 4 minutes. zzzz

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:19 PM MST reply actions

Lots of FTs so far

Very slow pace so far. Hornets almost feel like an Eastern Conference team.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:22 PM MST reply actions

16-14 Hornets halfway through

I guess that's on pace to a 32-28 score after one, so it must not be THAT slow of a pace.

Flurry of 3s makes it's 22-17.

Great play by Marion, stripping West. 54 steals on the year for Shawn.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:25 PM MST reply actions

Majerle will switch broadcasts yet again

in the second quarter. Woohoo

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:26 PM MST reply actions

LB and Boris into the game

after the TV timeout, replacing Hill and Marion. Barbosa now guarding Paul.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:30 PM MST reply actions

26-19, largest lead of the game for NO

Suns need to get Amare going, I think.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:32 PM MST reply actions

Well, not yet

Skinner comes in for Amare. Marion and Hill back in, for Nash and Bell.

Lineup reset: LB, Hill, Marion, Diaw, Skinner

Skinner hits his first shot. But the Hornets answer with an old-fashioned 3-point play.

Hooray! LB hits a 3!

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:35 PM MST reply actions

Aggressive play by Boris!

Continuing where he left off on Wednesday. Got held up at first but got it back and put in a reverse layup.

Score after one quarter - 31-26 Hornets.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:38 PM MST reply actions

So this isn't that different after all

Oh, well.

My take ... Peterson got 9 quick points for NO as they tried to take advantage of the matchup with Nash. Hornets outshooting the Suns 46%-42%.

Hornets announcers raving about the fast pace. It just feels slow to me.

Same 5 Suns start the second that finished the first. Suns score first, on a layup by LB. But he goaltends at the other end.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:41 PM MST reply actions

LB heating up

Hits a jumper. Thank goodness!

But the Hornets are hitting their 3s as well.

Shawn Marion is the only Suns player (to be in the game) yet to score.

Hill looking well tonight.

There's Shawn getting a fast-break bucket to get on the board and cut the Hornets lead to 2 points. Timeout New Orleans with 3 minutes gone in the 2nd quarter.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:44 PM MST reply actions

No lineup changes after the timeout

Hill has 11 points. LB has 9.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:47 PM MST reply actions

Nash, Bell and Amare back in

for Skinner, Boris and Hill.

Lineup is Nash, LB, Bell, Marion and Amare.

Sinc the timeout, the Hornets have scored 7 straight points to extend their lead to 9.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:52 PM MST reply actions

Got sidetracked for a second

Hornets now up by 11. Starting lineup in the game for the Suns.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 6:58 PM MST reply actions

Nash furious

after a bizarre offensive foul call when he was getting mugged trying to dribble down the court. Hornets announcers say it's a "great call".

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:00 PM MST reply actions

Showing it again

Hmm. Maybe it was a good call.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:02 PM MST reply actions

Had a good feeling about this game

But I don't anymore. Nash has missed two straight 3s and it's a 14-point lead for the Hornets.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:03 PM MST reply actions

59-46 Hornets at halftime

Stinky stink.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:06 PM MST reply actions

Still say Nash needs to help get Amare going

And Shawn. 5 points and 2 points, respectively. While Nash has 4. So 11 points for the "triumvirate" after they combined for 73 points on Wednesday night.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:16 PM MST reply actions

Steve starts the second half with a 3

Good start.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:22 PM MST reply actions

And Shawn hits one too

Lead cut to 7 right off the bad.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:23 PM MST reply actions

or off the "bat".

Off the bad, too.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:23 PM MST up reply actions

And a bucket inside for Hill

prompts a New Orleans timeout. 8-0 Suns to start the second half.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:25 PM MST reply actions

Hornets break the string with a 3

on a second-chance possession. Amare fouled on his way to the basket. Hits em both.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:27 PM MST reply actions

But Amare is continuing to struggle

Called for the offensive foul. And now the Hornets have scored 6 straight.

But Raja hits a 3. Pace heating up. But it's still a 9-point lead for the Hornets, and this reminds a little of the last game I blogged, which was the Miami game. Yuck.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:29 PM MST reply actions

Big stuff by Amare

Knocks MoPete to the floor in the process. Suns' ball. Bell having a good game. Drives to the bucket and scores. 70-61.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:31 PM MST reply actions

Couple good plays in a row

Nash hits the runner, Hill gets a steal and scores on an assist by Nash. And one. That's only Steve's fourth assist of the game. Hill hits the FT. He has 17, and the lead is down to 4.

Go, Suns!!

Wait, what's up? Boris in the game, fouls Paul, and a technical foul is called on Paul for his reaction. Nash hits the T to cut the lead to 3.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:35 PM MST reply actions

Nice feed from Boris

To a cutting Amare in the lane, he lays it in and gets fouled. Hits it and the lead is down to 2. This is more like it.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:38 PM MST reply actions

Amare gets his 4th foul

with 2:00 left in the third quarter. He'll go to the bench.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:40 PM MST reply actions

All 5 Hornets starters in double-figures

and the announcers say they are 9-0 when that happens.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:42 PM MST reply actions

LB with the 3!!!

Lead back down to 2 yet again.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:43 PM MST reply actions

Suns should get the last shot

After a rare offensive rebound of a Bell miss. LB hits the 3 to tie it! Great 34-point quarter for the Suns. Now, can they sustain this for 12 more minutes.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:47 PM MST reply actions

80-80 after three quarters

It's great to see LB hitting those shots again. He and Hill have 17 apiece to lead the Suns, and Raja has 13. Talk about a switch from Wednesday, when it was all about the big 3.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:49 PM MST reply actions

Lineup to start the 4th

LB, Bell, Marion, Boris and Skinner

And Bell starts things off with a jumper which bounces in. Suns lead.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:51 PM MST reply actions

Wow, great play by the Blur

That was a classic LB-quick move to the bucket. Suns up by 2 again.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:53 PM MST reply actions

Alley-oop

from LB to 'Trix. LB almost got it stolen or lost his dribble 3 or 4 times on the play before spotting Marion under the hoop. Man, can he dribble the ball.

Timeout, and it's PHX 86 NO 84.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:55 PM MST reply actions

"Supporting cast" has been great tonight

51 points now for Bell, Hill, and Barbosa.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:57 PM MST reply actions

Tyson Chandler still on the bench

After a hard foul by Brian Skinner late in the 3rd quarter. He's been hard to handle, so that's making a difference. But the Hornets get an old-fashioned 3-point play to retake the lead.

Bell hits a 2 to give it back to the Suns.

Chandler and Amare getting ready to come back in.

Chris Paul hits a 3. 90-88 Bees.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 7:59 PM MST reply actions

The old rebounding thing

Skinner makes a good defensive play but the Hornets get the board and score anyway. 92-88 now with 6:39 left.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:00 PM MST reply actions

Starters in for the Suns

and Nash immediately misses a 3. Paul hits a tough shot to extend the lead to 6.

Don't like the way this is going.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:03 PM MST reply actions

Nice play by the Matrix

On an out-of-bounds play breaks the mini-drought. And gets the defensive board off a miss.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:05 PM MST reply actions

Suns need to regroup

And finish strong. 97-92. Hornets miss but get the offensive board. Argh. And pay for it, it's 99-92.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:06 PM MST reply actions

Nash with a 2-point jumper

4-for-12, only 6 assists for Nash tonight. Make it 7 on an alley oop to 'Trix. 99-96, 2:24 left, Hornets call timeout.

Not over yet! Go, Suns!

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:08 PM MST reply actions

Amare on the line

Score is still 99-96. 35.6 seconds left.

Makes them both.

20-second timeout for NO.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:13 PM MST reply actions

Hornets turn it over

Suns with the ball, down 1 with 14.1 seconds left. Suns bench up, excited.

And not now. Marion takes the last shot, a flip from inside the lane, which missed everything. Was it a shot? A pass? Either way, it's over with .2 left and Paul on the line.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:16 PM MST reply actions

And the final score is 101-98

Bummer.

by SueB on Dec 15, 2007 8:19 PM MST reply actions

That one hurts

This game was a bad loss. The first half was horrible. They came in looking tired and disinterested.

The 2nd half it picked up but Amare, Nash, Marion, Bell and Hill all had horrible offensive nights. But they still showed that they could get stops and they should have won. On second thought if they had made the final shot and stolen the game...well, they didn't deserve to win tonight. Yuck.

I would have like to have seen some of the bench guys in the 2nd quarter. Its time to get Banks, Marks and even DJ some minutes on a night like this when the starters aren't interested in playing hard.

by Seth Pollack on Dec 15, 2007 8:30 PM MST reply actions