Open Gameday Thread: Suns at Pacers

by ZonaFlash on Nov 5, 2008 9:21 AM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	at	Indiana Pacers
3-1		1-1
5:00 PM Mountain / 7:00 PM Eastern
TV: MY45, FSIN, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Terrance Jerod "T.J." Ford
Raja Bell	SG	Marquis "Quis" Daniels
Matt Barnes	SF	Danny "Toofless" Granger
Amar'e Stoudemire	PF	Troy "Horse" Murphy
Shaq	C	Jeff Foster

Stop #2 on the Suns' four-game road trip matches the Suns against the Indiana Pacers in the first meeting between the two teams this season. I could tell you about last season, but that was last season and why would that matter to the Pacers, having traded oft-injured but wildly talented Jermaine O'Neal for oft-injured but wildly talented TJ Ford.

What the Pacers lack in talent and leadership (now with Donnie Walsh gone), they make up in enthusiasm. Their only loss came at the hands of a vintage (pre-AI) Detriot squad. Their only win was a 95-79 stunner giving the defending champion Boston Celtics their first loss of the season. Sorry, Celtics fans, 82-0 will not happen this year.

The newly minted "60 Million Dollar Man" Danny Granger, 6-9 SF, followed up his contract with a loose-ball scuffle with Paul Pierce that made Granger look like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple pieces gone, mainly his two front teef. Starting Center Rasho "Shofty" Nesterovic may be out due to ankle injury.

It's hard to say how dangerous they are after going 1-1 with Detroit and Boston, but they seem to be fairly energized out of the gate and will not be patsies tonight.

This should be a good time to get an early look at Brandon Rush, the guy some of us wanted the Suns to get in the draft, but wasn't available at 15.

Check out the Pacers' Season Preview here at Slam Online.

Visit Indy Cornrows for the scoop from the other side!

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Comments

After last night’s game, it’s hard not to have high expectations for this one. I’ll be interested to see if they can keep up that kind of consistent effort, even if it doesn’t result in a bizarro 60+% shooting night.

by Azreous on Nov 5, 2008 12:54 PM MST reply actions

Toofless, lol

by Norsktroll on Nov 5, 2008 1:57 PM MST reply actions

SOPCast listings should come up here:

http://www.myp2p.eu/index.php?part=sports

but you have to wait to closer to the tip-off.

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 5, 2008 4:06 PM MST reply actions

Also, try justin.tv

http://www.justin.tv/directory/sports?kind=live&order=hot&lang=en

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 5, 2008 4:09 PM MST reply actions

Or NBA.com

is streaming games for free until 11/11

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Nov 5, 2008 4:22 PM MST reply actions

thanks Stan

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 5, 2008 4:30 PM MST up reply actions

Shaq to Sit Tonight

Was he really that worn out from last night?

I kind of figured this game might be the toughest of the four, and he should play this one but sit the last. What do I know?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Nov 5, 2008 4:29 PM MST reply actions

Pacers

are weak up front. Compared to the Bulls and especially the Bucks this is a good game to sit him.

Jeff Foster and Rasho don’t scare me. Actually – I think Rasho isn’t playing. Foster is a good but he he’s a thinner energy guy that Amare, Boris and RoFro should be able to handle just fine.

Bogut abused Amare last year in the post

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Nov 5, 2008 4:32 PM MST up reply actions

They are Weak up front

But, they’re probably the best team on the roadie. I guess Shaq doesn’t “match up” that well against young, athletic guys who can run him off the court.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Nov 5, 2008 4:39 PM MST up reply actions

Remember when we were that team?

and we would love playing the Heat and running his fat ass off the court….
/ whistful memories

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Nov 5, 2008 5:03 PM MST up reply actions

I think the choice to sit shaq this game

is simply to keep his ego and his mouth in check after the Nets game. =)

Suns Re-ignited.

by ZonaFlash on Nov 5, 2008 4:39 PM MST up reply actions

So much for this discussion...

Per Coro

Suns center Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup for tonight’s game because starting forward Matt Barnes left the team moments ago for a family emergency in the Bay Area.
O’Neal was slated to have a prescribed night off tonight to rest his body until Barnes had to suddenly leave. Grant Hill will start in Barnes’ place at small forward. …

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Nov 5, 2008 5:30 PM MST up reply actions