Game Thread: Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets

Amen!

I'm hoping this game will be good enough to make you write a lengthy recap to help clear the previous game off the front page as soon as possible. :)

Ok, maybe that's overdoing it. Still, tonight's game is right up my alley, provided the Suns are sufficiently rested up for it. I liked Denver a lot better before Carmelo Anthony reminded everyone he's still a punk, and before they got rid of Andre Miller and brought in AI. But I'd still root for them over almost anyone other than the Suns.

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 5:11 PM MDT reply actions

Another dangerous game

I have not stopped believing in the Suns. No way. I am just not convinced that they have the energy for this back to back game against a speedy rival who is very motivated to move up in the rankings and is playing very well.

OTOH the Suns may be so mad after what happened last night that they may take it out on the Nuggets.

I hope it's the latter.

P.S.- I am still a little upset about last night's game. I hope they Suns won't disappoint us two nights in a row.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 5:13 PM MDT reply actions

I think the main key for tonight

Defend Linas Kleiza. That guy had something like 10-13, including 5-7 from 3 the other night for a career-high 29 points. For some reason Steve usually plays really well against AI. Amare should be able to handle Camby, but needs to work hard to keep him off the glass. Shawn has a great opportunity to make a DPOY case for himself tonight guarding Carmelo Anthony. I'm mainly worried about Kleiza and Nene (who's a lot bigger than Boris). Nene is foul-prone though, so maybe Amare can get him off the floor (Camby too would be nice).

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 5:25 PM MDT up reply actions

Detroit Made Us Look Bad ...

Or Mike D was learning what would happen if we had to meet them in a series?

This week, to me, is one of the biggest weeks in history of this sun's team. So many contenders to deal with, from the Rockets and Mavs and Nuggets to the best in the east out of the Pistons. We need to win tonight, we need to finish 3/4 on the week, and continue to make the statement in the West.

Back to Detroit ... In a 7 game series, we can beat them. On the back end of the greatest regular season game ever, i'm not surprised that they could exploit us for 1 night.

by nickissac on Mar 17, 2007 5:25 PM MDT reply actions

Exactly

The only way we have this situation again in the playoffs is if we have a series end in a multi-OT classic, then have to start the next series a couple of days later. Hopefully, we can avoid that this year by not dragging out every series to seven games. Any other time there would be a multi-OT classic, other than at the end of a series, both teams would be in the same situation.

I wouldn't say Wednesday was the greatest regular season game ever, btw. I thought it was pretty so-so for the first three quarters, and really all the way up until midway through the fourth. It may be the best ending for a regular season game ever, though. (Probably not, but it was pretty good). If nothing else, Steve Nash's 10 points in 55 seconds probably ranks among the best individual clutch performances ever (not to mention the big steal and rebound at the end of the second OT).

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 5:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Go Suns!

Play some defense and score points! The rest will take care of itself.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 5:57 PM MDT reply actions

Boston not so bad?

Hmm... Maybe we jumped the gun a little pronoucing Dallas' struggle against Boston last night as a "letdown". As of 4:43 in the second quarter, Boston (on the road) is leading San Antonio by 10. Now, I fully expect the final score to be by 10+ in the other direction, but the fact that Boston ever led SA at all by double-digits is worrisome from a "we need Boston to finish worse than Atlanta so we can get that draft pick" standpoint. :)

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 7:06 PM MDT reply actions

Boston

Boston is still leading the Spurs. The other night the Spurs lost to Milwaukee. My question is: what's wrong with the Spurs?

Utah lost again! If the Spurs lose too, the Suns are in luck.

That aside, I have a BAD feeling about tonight's game and about Denver in general. They seem like a much better team now than they were a month earlier. I hope the Suns can contain them.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 8:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Spurs lost!

Even if the Suns lose tonight, they will not lose their lead over SA and UT- that would be some consolation.

The way things are going for the Suns right now, it does not look good against Denver.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 8:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Denver leading by 12!

It seems our Suns have lost all their confidence. They are not making shots and they have allowed Denver to shoot 60 percent. This could be a repeat of the Detroit game. What a sad state of affairs.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 8:40 PM MDT reply actions

What an embarrassment!

Denver leading by 26 points at the half! Suns shot 30 percent; Denver 60 percent. Where is our team? They have totally forgotten how to put the ball in the basket. This is tough to watch! May be the bench should play the second half and spare the starters further embarrassment (and possibly prevent injury too).

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 9:13 PM MDT reply actions

AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH

Ok, at this point, D'Antoni needs to just sit all the starters down and play the guys who haven't gotten a shot all season. Whether that (a) embarrasses the starters into getting their act together, (b) gives them some much needed rest, (c) energizes the "fitness club" and maybe even gets back in the game -- any and all of the above are a good thing. I'm not "tough" enough to sit through one of these beatdowns for the second night in a row. Since the Suns are taking a night off apparently, so am I. I'll have it on DVR to go back and watch later in case they somehow end up making a game of it. In the meantime, it's a good opportunity to catch up on some chores I've been neglecting (mostly to watch Suns games LOL).

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 9:35 PM MDT reply actions

Oh and one more thing

Why couldn't Denver have brought this game to the AAC last month when I had to sit through watching the Mavericks blow them out in person? I'm really starting to hate them now. :(

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 9:41 PM MDT reply actions

Denver is inconsistent

Denver has not played well all season but it is possible that things are coming together for them now. Imagine a Denver-SA first round! It will be a pick your poison type situation for the Suns.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 9:49 PM MDT up reply actions

I had enough

I thought I would sit through this but I really cannot. I turned off the TV. There are plenty of other things I need to do. Can't believe I had looked forward to this evening. I thought our guys will fight back but they are just too drained. I am losing respect for D'Antoni for being so bull headed and not letting the bench play. He should be fired if the Suns lose in the first round. If they have to play Denver in the first round, it will be tough. Denver is an up and down team so anything can happen between now and end of the reg season. They have a 5 game road trip coming up. I am going to their game here on the 30th. Unless the Suns make a turnaround, it could be more of the same. I am TOTALLY frustrated right now, but I know the Suns will rise again. It is a matter of time.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 9:47 PM MDT reply actions

I still think

The Suns would beat Denver in a 7-game series. (1) experience, and (2) they're just a better team, even though they don't look like it tonight. This is probably as much fatigue as anything, but that doesn't make it anymore fun to watch.

by TexSUN on Mar 17, 2007 9:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Denver and LAL

I think LA will get the #6 at the end of the reg season; Denver will be #7 and I will be quite happy if they drop to #8 (or lower).

Denver has a tough schedule remainder of the season- lots of games on the road against eastern conference teams that are fighting to make the playoffs. LAL has the easiest schedule. If they can find their rhythm again, they will be #6. I am still hoping that GSW will make the playoffs. I won't mind it if the Suns have to play GSW in the playoffs.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 10:25 PM MDT reply actions

It's over

Mercifully the game is over. I did not watch the last 1.5 quarters. Denver won by 24 points. If this does not fire up the Suns when they play this team on the 30th, I don't know what will. I have not looked up yet which bench players were used by D'Antoni. This is going to be a long plane ride back for the Suns tonight. My heart goes out to them.

by Vash01 @ Bright Side Of The Sun on Mar 17, 2007 10:32 PM MDT reply actions