Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Hornets

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 9:50 AM MST in Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	at	New Orleans Hornets
39-18		37-18
6:00 PM Mountain / 8:00 PM Eastern
TV: My45 HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Chris Paul
Raja Bell	SG	Morris Peterson
Grant Hill	SF	Peja Stojakovic
Amare Stoudemire	PF	David West
Shaquille O'Neal	C	Tyson Chandler

The Suns visit the Hornets tonight on the second of a back-to-back. After losing the first three meetings this season, will the fourth time be the charm? The Hornets have been in a bit of a slump lately, and are currently on a three-game losing streak. On one hand, that may mean we're catching them at a good time. On the other, it means they'll be motivated and ready to take out their frustrations on a team they've (let's face it) pretty much owned this season. Of course, the Suns have one big piece they didn't have in the previous encounters--the Big Cactus himself. But I say this game comes down to Steve Nash shaking off last night's heavy minutes and finding a way to get it done against Chris Paul. In other words, no dubious triple-doubles this time.

Update [2008-2-27 12:59:23 by srp]:

Bench Nash

Ok, not really. But after his 40 minute night last night and facing a guy that seems to have his number, I would love to see the Suns run the offense through Grant and Boris more and play Nash off the ball. I would actually love to see Steve get about 25 minutes and see what DJ can do playing D on CP3 for serious minutes. I don't think the Hornets are deep and balanced enough to beat the Suns without 25 and 10 from Paul. I do think the Suns can win without that kind of performance from Nash.

I am not holding my breath of course, since Coach D has never shown any inclination of adjusting to the other team's strengths and he certainly isn't about to stop riding Nash's back now. I just hope he doesn't ride him into the ground and this would be a great night to switch things up a bit.

And lastly, lest we forget we were 0-3 against the Jazz last year before we went into their building late last year and ran them off the court. Just saying.

Live blogging begins at tipoff in the comments of this post.

Hornets247.com ~~talks some trash about the Suns~~ previews the game from the Hornet fan's perspective.

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Comments

Swat the Hornets!

I agree the point guard matchup is important. I expect Steve to have a game like last night, and for Paul to do somewhat better. But I look for Shaq to assert himself against Chandler, and Hill can't leave Peja wide open any more. I predict a close win for us.

After a spiritless game Sunday, and a lackadaisical game yesterday until the last 6 or 7 minutes, I look for our guys to be motivated. After all, who wants to lose to someone four times in a season?

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 27, 2008 10:47 AM MST 0 recs

Nash minutes

39 minutes is way too many minutes to be played against the Grizzlies. Albeit we may not have won the game if he didn't play that much, that fact remains that srp is right, Nash shouldn't play above 30 minutes this game. Let's dump the ball into Shaq, go to Amare, and get Diaw going, and then hope for the best with DJ and Barbosa running the show. Traditional Suns style and Nash defense hasn't worked against the Hornets in the past, so perhaps it's time to throw out something new.

parallel universe

by SilverSprings on Feb 27, 2008 11:56 AM MST 0 recs

DJ Gets Plenty of Love

Its a well known fact how much love DJ gets around here. So just in case you were wondering how he rolls off the court and how else he might use those fast hands...

Hat tip to HP for the link...

Phoenix - where kwame doesn't happen :(

by Phoenix Stan on Feb 27, 2008 12:01 PM MST 0 recs

Ha!

Guess I need to stop referring to him as "the kid", huh?

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 1:03 PM MST up 0 recs

My Hero

I knew there was a reason I liked him. He has such better taste than Boris, too.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 27, 2008 1:10 PM MST up 0 recs

Opportunity for DJ

If DJ can work effectively against CP3 and Shaq can keep Chandler out of the paint, I think we can limit their attcck.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 27, 2008 12:50 PM MST 0 recs

Chandler / Shaq

This is really the key match up for me to watch.

I don't believe Chandler has an offensive game away from the paint like Pau or McDyss so it should be a game where Shaq limits TC's boards and put backs and that should help us against this team.

Although I do recall Paul and TC running pick and rolls pulling Amare out of the paint in that game when West was out. This will be a big test of how they decide to defend against that.

I do know from the game before last against these guys that they destroyed us w/ the pick and roll and were very deliberate with picking on our weaker defenders. Both LB when he was on Paul and Amare on the perimeter when we tried to hide him on Mo Pete.

Btw - if memory serves me correct we haven't yet played this team this year with both TC and West in the lineup at the same time. Maybe having all their peices will help us.

Phoenix - where rookie love happens

by Phoenix Stan on Feb 27, 2008 2:10 PM MST up 0 recs

Correct link for the above

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/story/2008/1/7/19747/79746

(The other one is attempting to edit the story). :)

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 2:15 PM MST up 0 recs

Kenny Smith likes us

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AulAyfBRPVirDjEv_AmRXq28vLYF?slug=ks-westoutlook022508&pro v=yhoo&type=lgns

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 2:56 PM MST 0 recs

wow---awesome

by jasonsuns1 on Feb 27, 2008 5:36 PM MST up 0 recs

Take that, Charles!

I like Kenny.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 27, 2008 4:46 PM MST 0 recs

Funny...

Celtics just signed PJ Brown...??

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 27, 2008 5:59 PM MST 0 recs

Big Game

Lets hope we can finally beat this team and build up some momentum for the stretch run.

by MichiganSunsFan on Feb 27, 2008 6:04 PM MST 0 recs

Game on!

Shaq gets the tip. Raja picks up where he left off in the fourth quarter last night. Suns first on the board. 2-0.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:14 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 11:17 - And we have our first...

...offensive foul not even a minute in, compliments of Shaq.

...Nash and Amare hook up on the jumper, and David West answers. 4-2, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:15 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 10:28 - Clank!

Amare shaqs a free throw. Gets the other. 5-2.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:16 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 10:02 - Too greedy for Amare

Tries a little too hard to score on that one. Should have kicked it to Nash for the reset. Hornets close within one then take the lead on the Shaq goal tend. 6-5, Hornets.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:17 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 8:53 - D'oh!

Shaq fumbles the rebound out of bounds. Peja misses the three, though, so no harm done.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:18 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 6:12 - CP3 annihilated!

By Amare. Nash and Raja hook up for the jumper to move the Suns back up 7-6.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:19 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 7:28 - Amare with the three!

That's one way to fix the spacing problem. Suns up 12-8 after the subsequent exchange of baskets.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:20 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 5:47 - Foul trouble for Tyson Chandler

Picks up his second. Kind of nice to see the other team's big guy in trouble for a change.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:23 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 5:21 - David West looks tiny

...next to Amare. Amare gets called for the foul. 14-13, Suns after the free throws.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:27 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 4:12 - Don't see that often

Nash missed the technical free throw on the three-second violation. And by "miss" I mean it barely made it to the front rim. Probably the worse Nash free throw miss I've ever seen when he wasn't purposefully trying to do it at the end of a game. Nash also missed a jumper on that possession, making him 0-3 for the night. Looks like he's caught Raja's disease from last night.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:31 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 2:18 - That's what you get

CP3 take a flop but doesn't get the call, so Nash is free to assist on Bell's three. All tied up at 21.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:33 PM MST 0 recs

Q1 1:47 - Linton Johnson gets the call

...over DJ tonight looks like. Suns close the quarter with Johnson, Hill, LB, Diaw, and Raja.

Meanwhile, LB hits his second three to open up a six-point lead, 27-21.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:38 PM MST 0 recs

After one

Suns dodge one at the buzzer with Grant Hill's block on Pargo's layup after the full-court inbounds pass.

Didn't quite make the 30-point quarter, but got close: 29-25. Suns are shooting over 55%, despite Nash's 0-fer. Suns hold the edge on the boards by four, and holding the hornets to 39%. Main blight on the game for the Suns is the 7 turnovers.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:45 PM MST 0 recs

Late to the show

But i'm here. So far so good, Suns look ok. Raja has his shot, that's good...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:46 PM MST 0 recs

johnson

with the 3!

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:48 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 11:05 - Mean move by Shaq!

Didn't just throw it off a Hornet to save the possession, he really put some heat on it. Guess he wanted to make sure the guy's back didn't catch it.

Meanwhile, Linton Johnson is making a case to stay on the team once the inevitable "Brent Barry to the Spurs" announcement happens. Nails the three to bring the lead back to 6. 37-31, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:48 PM MST 0 recs

Hornets

have 5 reserves on the floor. Suns should extend the lead here...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:49 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 9:37 - Revisiting the bench Nash idea

Maybe it should be LB that plays in place of Nash instead of DJ. He doesn't have DJ's defense, obviously, but the Hornets don't seem to have an answer for him either.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:49 PM MST 0 recs

Pargo

Killing us again...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:50 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 9:02 - Sweet pass by Diaw

Grant Hill should be ashamed of missing that.

..meanwhile, Pargo nails a three, so Hornets back within three.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:50 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 8:26 - Smash!

...by Hill in transition after LB tracks down the loose ball. A little redemption for that previous play.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:51 PM MST 0 recs

Amare

Why is he in there? Save him for 2nd half...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:54 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 7:43 - Was going to gripe about...

...what looked like a bad, forced shot on the turnaround. Then realized it was Diaw. And then he made it to boot. 43-40, Suns after the Hornets answer.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:55 PM MST 0 recs

Shaq

Asserting himself. Calling for the ball and getting it..

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:56 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 6:33 - Way too open for Peja

And unfortunately, that just may get him going too. Nails the wide-open three to come within two. 45-43, Suns.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:56 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 6:27 - Shaq at the line

...gets one of two. Apparently he had another 2-2 earlier tonight. Somehow I missed it. Might have been when I stepped out for a sec. But the one make here puts him 3-4.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:57 PM MST 0 recs

Shaq's form

His free throw form is MCH better last game and this. You can tell he's been working on it...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:58 PM MST 0 recs

Bar-bizzle

Dare i say, en fuego!

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 6:58 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 5:43 - LB on fire!

Nails another three off the behind-the-back assist by Nash.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 6:58 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 5:26 - David West is killing us

...with the hook this time.

Meanwhile, Shaq cleans up on Amare's miss.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:01 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 4:25 - Looks like Pargo

...gets the "kill Nash" assignment tonight.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:02 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 3:32 - Hornets retake the lead

...on the Peja three-ball. Looks like this is going to be another one of those games where the Suns fall flat at the end of the second. Hornets on a 9-0 run and now lead 53-51.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:04 PM MST 0 recs

D

Is it really that hard to NOT LEAVE PEJA WIDE OPEN FROM BEHIND THE LINE??????

Just stay on him, it's not that hard!

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 7:04 PM MST 0 recs

Closing Quarters

Suns have been really bad all season long at cloing quarters, particularly the 2nd. They got killed at the end of the 2nd and 3rd last night too...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 7:06 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 2:58 - Poster

By Chandler.

...made even uglier by the near-airball on the Raja three. Very subtly, last night's heavier-than-necessary duty to knock off the Grizzlies is showing. Suns need to focus on the inside. Get the ball to Shaq.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:07 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 1:14 - It isn't all bad

Some nice hustle by Linton Johnson to get that rebound.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:08 PM MST 0 recs

Ugly

Wow... what a terrible end to the half...

by twsmith23 on Feb 27, 2008 7:09 PM MST 0 recs

Q2 00:26 - Um, nice try CP3

Nash getting most of the calls tonight at least. (Looked justifiable in both cases, too, but then I'm a bit biasted).

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:11 PM MST 0 recs

At the half

Well, the score certainly looks Suns-like: 59-55. Problem is, it's the Hornets with the 59. Not sure what happened to Nash's shot. Maybe it got eaten by last night's 40-minute marathon. In any case, his 0-5 is a big part of why the Suns are under 50%. But he's getting it done with the assists, so I'll give it a rest. Suns are winning the rebound battle, 20-16, and the Hornets only have one on the offensive end. CP3 is shooting a little better than Nash, but he's still 3-9. David West and Jannero Pargo are killing us.

Stepping away for a halftime break. Might be a couple of minutes late getting back.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:17 PM MST 0 recs

The Big Sucktus

God do we need some perimeter D.

by zooropa on Feb 27, 2008 7:18 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 9:52 - Hornets picking up where they left off

10-point lead for the Hornets after the alley-oop from CP3 to Chandler.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:30 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 8:04 - How does Shaq miss that?

RIGHT at the rim. I mean right at it.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:32 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 7:36 - Got it this time

Nash to Shaq. More of that.

...but not more of that. Hornets keeping the Suns at arms length.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:33 PM MST 0 recs

Gahhhhh

GAHHHH Let's win please :( :( Miss some shots please....Hornets...gahh

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 27, 2008 7:34 PM MST 0 recs

Hornets have our number this year....

I don't like it :(

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 27, 2008 7:36 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 5:43 - This is getting ugly

Hornets lead 80-68 after yet another David West bucket. Meanwhile, the backcourt violation by the Suns means the Hornets get a shot to extend it even more after the break.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:36 PM MST 0 recs

This is getting ugly

It's not just this game. The Suns are heading the wrong direction. Yao's injury may have saved them a playoff spot...

by CJJ on Feb 27, 2008 7:46 PM MST up 0 recs

Q3 5:00 - I have a headache

Yet another Chandler dunk. At least Amare answers this time.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:39 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 4:27 - All kinds of confidence...

...by the Hornets now. They have that "we own you!" look on their faces after that last shot by Peja.

...meanwhile, we can finally stop listening to the announcers mention that Nash hasn't scored every five minutes as he uses the veteran move to get himself to the line for three free throws, all makes. 84-73, Hornets.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:40 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 3:52 - More of that would help

Nash to cutting Amare for the dunk. Yes, more of that. MUCH more of that.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:41 PM MST 0 recs

You know...

It seems this year... I don't seem to have the confidence in the Suns to come back from any deficit... It seems hard enough for them to come back from 6 down... =\

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 27, 2008 7:42 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 2:54 - Well by golly!

I believe we have a stop! (checks outside for pigs flying...)

Travel by West will give the Suns the ball after the break.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:43 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 1:51 - Over/Under on the deficit getting to 20?

I'll take the over. Hornets are on a roll. Raja helps them out by getting called for the tech.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:48 PM MST 0 recs

So.....

Can we just call this one? The Suns don't even look like they want to play the rest of the game

by whatisboxhappening on Feb 27, 2008 7:48 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 1:15 - Did someone open a window?

Suns dodge one on the wide-open miss.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:49 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 00:59 - Guess I win the bet

Peja's free throw makes it 97-77. This is the Detroit game all over again. OK, not really. This time the Suns showed up, they're just getting badly outplayed.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:50 PM MST 0 recs

Q3 00:5.8 - You know it's a long night

...when Diaw gets called for the offensive foul.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:52 PM MST 0 recs

After three

The Suns are well on their way to their second ugh-fest in a week. Well, at least the Suns are out-shooting...um...never mind. At least they're out-rebounding..um...never mind. Well, at least they're taking better care of the ball...um...never mind. We are being "owned", pure and simple. There, I said it.

Now, who's going to get ticked off and snap this team awake? Anybody? Anybody!?!? *cough*Raja*cough

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:56 PM MST 0 recs

Q4 10:53 - Making a comeback

Hey, after being down by 20, a 16-point deficit with the ball doesn't look nearly as bad as it did earlier. Suns open the fourth with Amare, Diaw, Linton, Bell, and LB. OK, Amare. Want to prove you're "the man" on this team? Time to put it on your back! (Good start on that, btw. Nice block as I was typing this)

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:58 PM MST 0 recs

Q4 9:45 - So much for that

...Pargo restores the 20-point deficit in one fell swoop with the three.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 7:59 PM MST 0 recs

Just got home from late mtg

and trying to decide if I want to watch the game from the beginning....doesn't look like it

I might skip this one. I am already not feeling well.

Phoenix - where rookie love happens

by Phoenix Stan on Feb 27, 2008 8:01 PM MST 0 recs

Skip it

If I didn't have recap duties tonight, I'd be skipping it myself. The Suns may be a championship contender by the end of the season, but right now? I'd have to say no. Not even close. (Of course, no back-to-backs in the playoffs)

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 8:03 PM MST up 0 recs

Q4 8:57 - If you can't stop 'em, level 'em

Amare knocks West to the floor. Guess it's better than nothing.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 8:02 PM MST 0 recs

Team?

This isn't a team...it is a bunch of good players and maybe a couple of great ones. I have been a fan for 29 years and as much as the Suns have won in the past few years I don't know if I have ever been more frustrated. We keep looking for different players. Has anyone ever stopped to consider looking at the top?

by CJJ on Feb 27, 2008 8:03 PM MST 0 recs

damn!

This sucks!!! If we play this guys in the playoffs...where are going fishing!!! =(

by PanamaSun on Feb 27, 2008 8:04 PM MST 0 recs

Q4 7:26 - Um....

I'd just as soon not see Nash anymore tonight. In fact, I'd rather not see anymore of Amare or any other starters other than Shaq who could probably use the extra conditioning.

by TexSUN on Feb 27, 2008 8:06 PM MST 0 recs

Frack.

You can't blame this on Shaq, but we miss Marion so effing much right now. We don't have anybody who's playing passable defense right now. Nash/Amare are defensive sieves.

by rsavaj on Feb 27, 2008 8:08 PM MST 0 recs