Game Thread: Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets

by Dan on Apr 16, 2007 8:47 AM MDT in Suns News Comment 19 comments

The Suns have the 2nd seed locked up and, in reality, they have nothing to play for during the next two games. But there are still some things that the Suns can help decide today and tomorrow.

If the Suns beat the Rockets tonight and the Jazz beat the Rockets tomorrow, the Jazz will have home court advantage over the Rockets. This doesn't affect the Suns a lot either way since either the Jazz or the Rockets will have to get through Dallas in order to meet the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

On Tuesday, the Suns play the Clippers. By beating the Clippers, the Suns can help the Warriors get the 8th seed in the playoffs where they will meet the Dallas Mavericks. As I mentioned in a previous post, my biggest worry is that the Lakers will continue to lose, the Warriors will continue to win and the Suns will have to face the Warriors in the first round. I think the Suns can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series but I think it will be a lot harder than beating the Lakers.

For tonight's game, Mike D'Antoni has said the Suns are going to continue starting James Jones and will continue playing their starters. At this point, the Suns are playing so well I think he has a good point about not wanting to rest the starters and maybe get out of that rhythm they are in. Even though Coach D'Antoni said that the starters are going to play regular minutes, I wouldn't expect to see them at the end of the game if the Suns or the Rockets have a 10+ point lead late in the game.

What are you thoughts on tonight's game? Should Coach D'Antoni rest the starters? Should he play everyone just like normal? Who would you like to see win tonight's game now that the outcome doesn't affect the Suns?

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rest for players

With the playoffs starting so soon, I can understand the coach wanting to keep the starters playing, especially after their big win in their last game against Utah. Sounds like Amare really wants to get 82 games in to prove even more than he already has about his comeback from his knees. If either game was against one of the best teams, I'd be more worried about rest, etc. Guess this falls into the range of the coach knows more about the team than us, he deals with the players daily, and I'm sure if someone needed rest he'd give it to them. I'm sure some of the players might be a little banged up, but it seems like serious injury has not been a problem,
(thank god, Suns have had enough of that the last 2 years between Joe Johnson and Amare and others).

by jasonsuns1 on Apr 16, 2007 9:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Lakers would be better for us than Golden State

by jasonsuns1 on Apr 16, 2007 9:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

They should play

I think excessive rest would break their momentum, team chemistry, and they still have some things to work on. For example, Amare has to learn to avoid fouls, Boris has to learn consistency in attacking, the three point shooting could be better, and the Suns have room to improve their defense. These two games are a golden opportunity for the Suns starters to iron out minor deficiencies in their game, build better chemistry, and retain momentum going into the playoffs. Winning is a habit. Losing last two games will change that. So the Suns must play to win both games. They will feel much better going into the playoffs with those two W's than even one L.

I believe the reason Dallas played the way they did yesterday was for this very reason. They had lost momentum after losing two games (Denver & Utah). They needed to regain their momentum and confidence.

Of course if either side is blowing the other one away by 20 points, it would not make sense to keep playing the starters. That will be the time to let the bench gain some experience.

by Vash01 on Apr 16, 2007 10:16 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Mavs/Spurs

Avery Johnson said he wouldn't play his starters more than 26 minutes yesterday, yet they played regular game minutes. I knew if the game was close there was no way Dirk would sit (especially after Duncan got tossed).

I'm not sure how I feel about how much the Suns should play tonight and tomorrow. Since I will be a Diamondbacks game tonight and will be attending the Suns game tomorrow, I guess if they sat tonight and played tomorrow, that would be good for me!

by TwinnerA on Apr 16, 2007 10:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, the Bavarian blew the landing

"no more than 26 minutes"...and Dirk still had 36 minutes.

"If one has to win 'at all costs', it's not a victory...." ..it's just sad, and pathetic, by proxy rubbing off the Spurs.

laugh

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Apr 16, 2007 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The more interesting question is...

What will Dallas do tomorrow night against the Warriors? You have to think Dallas would much prefer to face the Lakers than the Warriors, but would rather face the Clippers than either of them. So they're in a bit of a delimma. If they beat the Warriors, they guarantee a 7th seed for the Lakers, and increase the chances of getting to play the Clippers. But the Lakers don't play again until Wednesday, and if the Lakers win their Wednesday game, they still get the 7th seed, and if the Suns beat the Clippers too, the Mavericks get stuck with GSW anyway. As an added wrinkle, the Mavs-GSW game starts half an hour after the Suns-Clippers game, so the Mavs have the luxuary of knowing LAC's fate right around the time they'd be starting the 4th quarter of their game with the Warriors. I don't think we can count on the Lakers winning their game against SAC (Bibby for 9 threes and Kobe's ego going 9-30 with Ron Artest draped all over him sounds about right). So, hopefully the Mavs will get it done against GSW by the slimmest of margins, and the Suns put the final nail in the Clippers coffin. That is, assuming we're not all underestimating LAL's ability to turn it on in the playoffs (and/or bribe the refs) again.

by TexSUN on Apr 16, 2007 10:38 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

oh boy...

My head hurts after reading that. At this point, I think it's too hard to predict what other teams are going to do so the Suns just have to go out and play to win. No matter who they play, they have to get through 4 teams to win the championship. If they truly are the best team, it shouldn't matter who they are.

Of course, that's wishful thinking - of course, it matters but after reading all of the possibilities above, I'd rather keep it simple for my simple mind!

by Dan on Apr 16, 2007 11:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Suns are playing Suns basketball...

... finally we're on a nice roll and have the momentum in our favor. The team is playing like a team. The spacing and ball movement is great.

It would be nice to see Amare being more dominant on both ends but team success is team success I suppose.

I fully expect Golden State to pull off an upset over the Mavs if they can secure that 8th spot. They are VERY athletic with a lot of pride to carry and Nellie is too good of a coach to not make the most of this opportunity. If he gets the chance to take on his former team in the first round, the Warriors will either win or have Dirk gasping for air and yelling at his teammates as the second round starts.

by Travis on Apr 16, 2007 10:58 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Let the Starters take us home

I would much prefer to see us play the Lakers over GS, but what really matters to me is that our starters, Stat, Nash, Marion, Bell, and the "wild card" continue to play and carry their momentum and rhythm into the playoffs. When our guys are in a groove they are unstoppable!

by DMP on Apr 16, 2007 2:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep!

I too want our starters stay in the groove and win both games. They can play fewer minutes than usual, - again depending on the game status- but not break up the momentum.

My prediction is that Dallas will beat GSW, for pride. They have lost 5 out of 6 to GSW.

BTW I have been reading the Goldenstateofmind blog. It's very entertaining, and I really hope those fans get to enjoy the playoffs with their team playing (#7 or #8 it does not matter to them).

by Vash01 on Apr 16, 2007 4:43 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Warriors Fan from GSoM and Usenet here

Warriors fan here, though I like both the Mavs/Suns for their style of play as well. :)

I personally hope the Suns play their starters enough to beat the Clippers while the Warriors are able to beat the Mavs tomorrow night.

As a Warriors fan, I would love it if the suspense were ended early.

That being said, Avery Johnson hinted he thinks the Warriors will be their foes in the first round (see the blog on dallasnews.com) and instead will use their game against Seattle on wednesday as the playoff tuneup.

I'm not sure what that means. Will AJ rest his starters? Will he simply not use all of defensive gameplan?

TOmorrow will definitely be an interesting evening.

by coach41 on Apr 16, 2007 5:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The Clippers were having the same worries...

Elton Brand was very disappointed after hearing that KG wouldn't be playing you guys the other night...

http://suns.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/15/elton-brand-disappointed-with-kg-for-shutting-it-down/

When the race is tight and teams are all fighting for that 8th spot, it's only right that other teams play hard to the end. I guess it's something to debate about but I sure hope the Warriors face Dallas in the first round. It's great to see you guys running so well. I sure miss the old Run TMC days... Of course, play Phoenix and I'll deny any such comments.

by Travis on Apr 16, 2007 5:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Translation

Avery is hoping if the Warriors beat the Mavs that the Lakers will lose thereby moving their closest thing to a first-round nemesis up to the seventh seed. We may have to become Lakers fans for a day on Wednesday.

by TexSUN on Apr 16, 2007 6:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry but I disagree

TexSun,

I often agree with you but not this time. I don't think AJ is planning a loss for the Mavs to avoid GSW. It will also need a loss by the Lakers- something that he does not have control over. Actually if the Mavs beat GSW, they have a better chance of avoiding them totally because then GSW may not even make the playoffs.

I think the Mavs will play full force, the way they did against SA on Sun. but with a different offensive/defensive strategy because the style of this team is so different (and so much like the Suns).

I will be rooting for GSW tomorrow, as if they are the Phoenix Suns. I don't want the Mavs to win even one more game now.

by Vash01 on Apr 16, 2007 11:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome GSW fan!

Welcome to the Suns board! I love the fact that the Warriors have owned the Mavericks for a while. I will be thrilled if the Warriors win tomorrow against the Mavs, but I have a suspicion that the Mavs will bring their A game to Oakand. They don't need their A game to beat Seattle.

Apart from the fact that a Warriors win could set up a GSW-Mavs first round, I will be thrilled for the Warriors if they make the playoffs this year. BTW, the Warriors are the only other NBA team whose arena I have visited. If the Suns have to play against the Warriors, it will be a tough series for the Suns (I am not saying the Lakers will be easy either).

Thanks for stopping by. BTW, you may have seen me on the GSOM board. I am keeping track of your team because I like them.

by Vash01 on Apr 16, 2007 11:02 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I stopped by because of the potential craziness tomorrow night between all the teams.

I like the Suns/Warriors (and yes, even the Mavs a bit) because they all play a fun style.

Nothing against the slow it down teams (Spurs) or the one man shows (Lakers) but uptempo basketball is so much more fun to watch.

Regardless if the Warriors make it to the playoffs or not, I hope the Suns or the Mavs win the championship this year

by coach41 on Apr 17, 2007 12:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Warriors vs. Suns

Well, if AJ is hoping the Lakers lose, that's one thing. The Warriors still have to beat Portland in the final game of the year if the Lakers lose. The Lakers own the tie-breaker over the Warriors.

From the Warriors fan perspective, just get the heck into the playoffs and we'll worry about who we play later.

I'm also happy the Warriors are playing well. It's been a long time coming. It's one thing to be a losing franchise, but we haven't been very entertaining over the years with the brief exception of Gilbert Arenas/Jamison year.

Otherwise....Hello Donyell Marshall? BJ Armstong? Bimbo Coles? Those were pretty bleak years. :D

by coach41 on Apr 16, 2007 9:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I don;t believe AJ

I think the whole Dallas Mavericks organization is trying to lull the Warriors into believing that Dallas would rest the starters (so it will be an easy win for the GSW's). I would not believe it at all. I think Dallas will play to win, starters or not. The Warriors have to play like there is no tomorrow, if they want to win this game. I think Dallas does not care about the Seattle game. They can win it even with reserves. I don't think it makes sense for them to use Seattle for the tuneup, partly because the playoffs are still a long ways, and second they would want to tune up against a stronger team like GSW. They WILL be motivated on Tues. to win.

by Vash01 on Apr 17, 2007 12:42 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs