Phoenix Suns 83, Detroit Pistons 105

Detroit took 20 more shots than Phoenix

the end

This was the only really bad game I have seen the Suns play this season, even counting the games during the 1-5 start. Other losses to teams they should have beaten (this Detroit team was a VERY good team) could be attributed to injuries. The loss to the Wizards in the first game was definitely due to fatigue, although the Suns did not use it as an excuse. I don't think the Suns used an excuse this time either (D'Antoni did mention the Wed.game), but we understand that they cannot be perfect all the time.  I was just hoping that they would use the Dallas game to build confidence and momentum. Last night's game lost some of that.

This was a healthy but extremely fatigued (physically and mentally) team.  So was Dallas, but they got lucky with the schedule.

Nash was still trying to do all he could to bring his team back.  He is a true MVP- he does whatever his team needs but he is no Superman (although at times he almost appears like one, minus the cape). He was making unbelievable shots, only to see Detroit go to the other end and make a 2 or 3 point shot to negate that. They were using the shot clock very effectively, and making shots with just 1 second left. It all came down to rebounding (or the lack of).  The transition game was nonexistent and in the second half the Suns even quit attempting 3 point shots.  They were totally beaten, physically and mentally.

I still don't understand why D'Antoni did not use his bench players, just to add a little 'juice'.  He drives me nuts by making decisions like this one. Pike could have been useful. Jumaine Jones is a big guy who can shoot.  Kurt Thomas, inexplicably appeared for only 7 minutes. He is our big, defensive guy. Coach could have asked Jalen Rose to play against his former Michigan teammate Webber (who cost Michigan the national championship- I always like to mention that- LOL). Almost anybody would have been better than the totally drained players on the floor last night (with the exception of Nash who can play great even when he is tired).

 Now these physically exhausted (and perhaps mentally down) Suns have to try to stop the high flying Nuggets who are rested and playing at home,with the league's top scorers. This will be as good a test for the Suns as playing against any of the top teams- SA, Dallas, Utah.

Detroit seemed rested and ready, even during the warmup. As I watched them in their dark blue & red uniforms, they exuded confidence and power. They looked much bigger than the Suns too. I was concerned right then if our tired team would be able to play for 4 quarters against this very physical team? I thought it would be a close game, but in the 4th Q the Pistons totally took over and we did not see the fighting spirit we are used to seeing from the Suns. Dallas OTOH fought back against Boston and got a W.  Detroit executed perfectly last night.  A team is not going to execute perfectly every time, but what if they do? The Suns don't have an answer because they depend on a lot on the opponent's mistakes.

BTW the game stayed close till the end of 3rd Q (I consider a 10 point deficit a 'close' game for the Suns) because Detroit was terrible from the free throw line. Almost every time they were missing one out of two FT. I don't understand why the Suns did not foul them more in the 4th Q to keep some control on the score. Instead of giving up 2's they would have given up 1's. There was no need to save some players from fouling out because they were not doing anything productive anyway (I am being really harsh here).

I just hope the Suns can put this loss behind them and find all the strength to pull off a win againt Denver tonight.

The loss (and the Mav's win) even created a set back for Nash in the MVP race because Dirk pulled off the win against Boston.  If the Mavs beat Detroit on Sunday, it may seal the deal for Dirk as this year's MVP.

The bad news got worse at the end of the night. The Lakers who had lost 7 straight, fought back to beat Portland. Now they too are awake and dangerous, especially in the playoffs. Kobe almost single handedly made this happen (65 points!!!) So he too has gained in the MVP race. Nash simply did not get any support from his team mates. LB was a huge disappointment, may be for the first time this season. He too may have lost some ground in the 6th man of the year race.

Fatigue aside, the game did expose some of the Suns weaknesses- lack of rebounding, lapses in focus (championship teams don't do this), too much dependence on the opponent's mistakes, and D'Antoni's inability to use his bench effectively. I think that is why people have suddenly turned around and started saying that the Suns would be eliminated in the first round because the playoffs are a whole different ball game and the Suns are clearly not ready for it, right now. They HAVE to defend or they are doomed.

I am not counting the Suns out based on this one game, but I want to see some fight in them for the next few games. Luckily, - after tonight- their next 3 games are against Minnesota, Sacramento and Memphis- all at home.  It will be a great opportunity for them to build some momentum- even if they lose tonight (that could be attributed to fatigue and that monstrous schedule).

I lot of the threads I opened could be combined into one but I don't know how to do it.