Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. Memphis Grizzlies

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:06 PM MDT in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	vs.	Memphis Grizzlies
41-22		15-47
7:00 PM Pacific / 10:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Mike Conley
Raja Bell	SG	Mike Miller
Grant Hill	SF	Rudy Gay
Amare Stoudemire	PF	Hakim Warrick
Shaquille O'Neal	C	Darko Milicic

Sunday's win over the Spurs was nice, but now it's time for the first of many next steps. The Suns continue their five-game homestand tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. The last time these two teams met up, it was a reversion to small ball (and a bunch of late-game Raja Bell three-pointers) that saved the day. With it being Shaq's fourth game in a Suns uniform, perhaps that was understandable and acceptable. But at this point, the Suns really need to get it done with Shaq's presence, not in spite of it.

As usual when I do a game thread during the week, there's no in-depth breakdown in the interest of getting it posted earlier in the day while remaining guilt-free at work. Besides, I really don't think I can improve on the terrific job 3 Shades of Blue already did in sizing up the matchups at each position. I am also making no predictions whatsoever. Last time, I predicted a wall-to-wall beatdown and a reunion with our favorite former Laker, Kwame. Neither happened, and my arrogance nearly jinxed the Suns. So, I'm staying mum this time.

Live blogging returns tonight in the comments of this post. Be there or be ~~square~~ Clipper fan.

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Comments

Yikes

I am never going to live this down huh??

I guess I deserve that. I will be glad to eat all the crow you guys can dish out....after the team delivers.

Phx - where sweet victory happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 11, 2008 10:39 AM MDT reply actions

Look at it this way

The reason people keep using it is because it was brilliant! In two little words you summed up perfectly what it felt like to watch a once-proud contender lay a whole nest full of stinky ostrich eggs in the span of two weeks. And it came on the heels of an especially rotten one against what we now know was a young team getting hot at the end of the season a la 2006-07 Warriors, as opposed to the abysmal "can't even make the playoffs in the East" team they appeared to be at the time. It was the difference between just another mundane recap, and a post that nobody on this board will forget for a very long time. Hats off.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 11:44 AM MDT up reply actions

well said

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 2:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Gay

We'll see if Rudy Gay can light the Suns up again the way he did last time these teams met - I hope that inspired defense from the Spurs game carries over tonight....

by dang on Mar 11, 2008 3:08 PM MDT reply actions

Diaw and LB

I really hope they can put in some solid performances tonight, especially LB. I'm fairly convinced Skinner will never play meaningful minutes as a Sun this season.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 4:56 PM MDT reply actions

Go Suns!

Lets really try to get after them and dominate the floor tonight. Sustain the defensive effort and get The Big Spurkiller involved.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 7:49 PM MDT reply actions

Interesting lineup choice

I guess Navarro impressed Ivaroni. He gets the start along with Mike Miller. Perimeter defense will be a challenge tonight! (Of course, could also mean no bench for the Griz).

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:12 PM MDT reply actions

Let's Do This

I didn't see either of the last two games because i was camping, but i'm ready for this one... Let's Go Suns!

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:13 PM MDT reply actions

Game on

Suns get the tip. Amare gets the shot from Shaq in the post. Early 2-0 lead for the Suns.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:13 PM MDT reply actions

Shaq

2 assists already, love it. You can sense/see the shift to being a more inside-out team...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:14 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 10:43 - Big men getting it done

Suns out to the early lead. All assists off of Shaq or Amare, and most of the scoring too.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:15 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 9:31 - Bell's three waiting for the 4th...

quarter again? Two misses so far. Meanwhile, Shaq gets assist #3 off a beautiful pass to Hill for easy, wide-open pickings under the basket.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:17 PM MDT reply actions

Suns

Very active tonight on Offense- moving, running, etc. Look good so far...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:17 PM MDT reply actions

Shaq

The new Nash=)

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:18 PM MDT reply actions

Yes he is!

Here's a novel idea....I wonder if instead of bringing Shaq off the bench like a few of us suggested, maybe bringing NASH off the bench instead might make sense? He would light our lack-luster bench on FIRE. And Shaq could run the offense with the starters + someone defensive-minded like, say DJ, running PG with one duty: Pass it to the big guy!

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:21 PM MDT up reply actions

To elaborate...

...now that there's a commercial break and time. My main beef with the Shaq trade was that it puts two guys who are used to the offense running through them in the starting lineup, while also putting three guys who aren't really the greatest at pick and roll defense, or really defense in general in there. So unlike Nash+Marion where they each kind of enhanced each other strengths and covered for each other's weaknesses, Nash and Shaq kind of are redundant together as playmakers, and Shaq isn't as good as Marion was at covering Nash's defensive deficiencies. Anyway, just a thought for possible future reference. Whichever one of them went for the bench could pretty much be written in for 6th man of the year before the season even began! :)

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:25 PM MDT up reply actions

Q1 6:57 - Back to back by Nash

..and some nice defense by Shaq. Shaq is really getting it done tonight. I think he must have ready my game thread post.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:20 PM MDT reply actions

Size Advantage?

Who thought the Suns would ever actually prefer the larger line-ups...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:21 PM MDT reply actions

good game so far, tough for bell on that shaq foul

he nailed that three (that didn't count),

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:23 PM MDT reply actions

The Big Steve Nash

Was pretty impressive. The Grizzlies are spreading the floor extremely well on offense. Milicic will cool down: once a disappointment, always a disappointment.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 8:23 PM MDT reply actions

nice drive by barbosa

he's so fast, there many moments where having a player that fast really pays off!!

Nice to see some steals

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:25 PM MDT reply actions

Bell

Still can't hit the broad side of a barn...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:26 PM MDT reply actions

Big Quarter

So far, now we need to not have the letdown in the last couple minutes of the quarter...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:27 PM MDT reply actions

great pass by diaw!!

great cut by amare

wow, they look good so far, really need to build a lead and not mess around with this one, looks like Utah is losing, if they lose, the #4 team in the west will be tied with us for losses, I really think we can slide back up into 2-4th soon with our schedule vs others. The real test will be our last 13 games. So nice to see shaq passing so well, not that he wasn't a great passer, but it's cool to see from a fan perspective, not an opponent

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:28 PM MDT reply actions

amare gets off his feet

instant foul, every time for a player who sees this and knows just to make contact

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:29 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 4:12 - Back in business

...back after slight technical difficulties. Just in time for Giricik to get the call (and get burned by Rudy Gay right off the bat). Suns up by seven, 25-18.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:31 PM MDT reply actions

giri hit his first shot as a suns

I'd like to see him get going

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:33 PM MDT up reply actions

Bell

How come he went to locker room?

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:31 PM MDT reply actions

No idea

They didn't say.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:33 PM MDT up reply actions

saw that, didn't hear anything

don't think it's serious, we'd be hearing about it from az announcers - bender annd Marljee

31-18 suns winning,

update on utah - down by 13 7 minutes left

some really great games coming up between the top teams, lakers vs Houston soon, among others

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Q1 3:34 - G-Square with the line-drive

But nice to see it go in.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:31 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 2:20 - Nice rebound by Shaq

..with the hustle that ultimately leads to a score by Hill after the inbounds.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:33 PM MDT reply actions

Hill

Cutting all over the place. Looks good

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:34 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 1:47 - Nice!

Already a 31-point quarter, and the offense is running through everyone BUT Nash. Four assists by Shaq, three for Diaw, and everyone who's taken the floor has at least one except Nash. Fascinating.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:35 PM MDT reply actions

Oops!

Make that Raja. That slacker!

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Nash Break

Love to see Shaq on the floor during this. Gives us more second chances and an option in the post if our shooters go cold.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 8:35 PM MDT reply actions

barbosa is awesome

on the break,

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:36 PM MDT reply actions

Run

22-5 Run over the last 5 minutes...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:37 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 00:54 - OK, jasonsuns1

Assuming the Suns go on to win this, Shaq is player of the game. I'm calling it, even with the first quarter not even over. He's REALLY making it work on BOTH ends of the floor tonight. And yes, Grant Hill is awesome too. But Shaq is setting up most of this.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:38 PM MDT reply actions

WOW

Who is this team? Unbelievable!

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:38 PM MDT reply actions

tell me about it

starting to prove those earlier games were just pre season

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:40 PM MDT up reply actions

that wa awesome!

shaq has 15 blocks, 20 outlet passes, hill is lighting it up, OMG!! a steal and barbosa scores and 1!! 40 point quarter!!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:38 PM MDT reply actions

shaq had presence of mind

to know clock was almost at 0 and made the long pass for a chance from hill, wow, these outlet passes are bullets!!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 8:39 PM MDT reply actions

What a quarter!

I don't care how bad this team is, we're playing amazing. The second unit just extended a lead!

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 8:40 PM MDT reply actions

After one

OK, Shaq doesn't have 15 blocks (just three), but he's definitely been the difference-maker tonight. Like I said above, he's already wrapped up POG. Suns are up 41-22 after one. 15 assists as a team already (just one by the guy who leads the league in them), and only two turnovers. 68% shooting. Shaq hasn't scored a point and he's been BY FAR the most dominant player on the floor.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:42 PM MDT reply actions

The Experiment In The Desert

This is exactly how this team needs to play with Shaq. Laying the blueprint for the rest of the year...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:42 PM MDT reply actions

Bar-bizzle!

For 3!

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:44 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 10:14 - I guess Bell is OK

Returns to the game.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:46 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 9:54 - Way too much of that from Diaw lately

Travels due to indecisiveness with the ball.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:46 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 9:13 - LOL at the Suns bench

Saw the Big Shamu coming and scattered in all directions.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:47 PM MDT reply actions

Shaq

and pretty much everyone else cracking up.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Mar 11, 2008 8:49 PM MDT reply actions

Bench Clearing

Now that was funny. Dan D'Antoni was practically trampling people to get out of the way...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:49 PM MDT reply actions

i was laughing so hard

that was great, glad shaq didn't dive for that one, when up by 20+, need to hold off on those, which he did

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:03 PM MDT up reply actions

Bell

Nice of his shooting touch to re-join im for a play there...

Hopefully that will jumpstart him

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:52 PM MDT reply actions

Q1 7:43 - Now Shaq is so good...

..that the announcers give him credit for a play that happened when he wasn't even on the floor. (Amare getting fouled and going to the line).

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:52 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 7:03 - Was about to get mad at G-Square

...for selfishness, but hard to gripe at a guy who ends up at the rim for a layup.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:54 PM MDT reply actions

G2

Still doesn't look totally comfortable in the offensive flow, but like you said, getting to the rim and making shots...

by twsmith23 on Mar 11, 2008 8:55 PM MDT reply actions

Amare

Got away with a push on that last missed layup by Giricek. Nice to see the aggressiveness on defense from Stat. Now he needs to learn to let it go in bursts so he avoids foul trouble.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 8:57 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 4:41 - That's better, Boris!

That's what you do with a full-court Nash pass that finds you under the basket. (Keep that in mind for future reference).

...and speaking of Nash, that last shot had no business going in...but it did. 64-32. Absolutely laying waste to the Grizzlies.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 8:59 PM MDT reply actions

Oops

Replay shows... that I had that pass mixed up with a previous play. I'm going senile. In any case, Boris did the right thing with it.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:00 PM MDT up reply actions

Q2 3:38 - Who opened the window?

Wow... what an ugly three-point miss. But we'll let him off the hook after that awesome one in the fourth against SA.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:01 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 2:51 - Nice night for G-Square

...with the jumper on that previous play.

And now Boris with a jumper of his own. Lead is now up to 30.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:02 PM MDT reply actions

yep

g-square is really showing he can score on his own!!

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:05 PM MDT up reply actions

How's this for a plus/minus stat?

Boris Diaw leading everyone with a +25. (And G2 second with a +21).

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:03 PM MDT reply actions

Too soon to bring in the bench?

I guess we don't want to get people stiff just in case.... But I'd be thinking of giving Nash and crew an early night off if this keeps up after halftime.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:05 PM MDT reply actions

nice fact about conley

his dad was a gold medalist in triple jump, cool

Link to dad olympic info

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Q2 2:15 - I guess Mike D heard me

Nash goes to the bench for a rare end-of-first-half break.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:06 PM MDT reply actions

Q2 00:41 - Kwame!!!

Our favorite Laker has entered the game! Somewhere, srp rejoices.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:07 PM MDT reply actions

KWAME!!!!!!

If I were at this game you can bet I would have a Kwame poster!

Phx - where sweet victory happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 11, 2008 9:10 PM MDT up reply actions

72 Points!

Hell of a first half. Think the old-timers will play the fourth quarter if this keeps up?

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 9:11 PM MDT reply actions

don't look now

but if suns hold on (lol) to this, they'll pass 2 teams and go to fourth place, nice to be going back in that direction,

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:15 PM MDT reply actions

alright fifth

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:16 PM MDT up reply actions

At the half

The first half mercifully ends for the Grizzlies, but not before one more awesome, unselfish play from G2 to Raja then to LB for the finishing layup with four seconds to go. So here are the numbers that matter.

Suns: 72 points
Grizzlies: 41 points

I'm told you greatly increase the odds of winning when you score as many points in the first quarter as your opponent gets in the entire first half. 66% shooting for the Suns, 32% for the Grizzlies, 27 rebounds for the Suns, 14 for the Griz.

Ok, we ARE talking about the Grizzlies, who are already eliminated from playoff contention, and have absolutely nothing to gain outside of pride by winning. But still... I don't care if you're playing a D-League team, outscoring them by 31 points in a half is impressive. And even more impressive, they did it for all intents and purposes without Nash (not that he's slacking, he's just wisely deferring to Shaq and his teammates on playmaking as well as shots). Oh, and even with just four assists, Nash is still nearly out-assisting the Grizzlies (they have only five total). The Suns have 23. So basically, this is as good as you can expect when playing a team like the Griz. Let's see one more quarter of this (because one more quarter of this should be more than sufficient for the evening).

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:19 PM MDT reply actions

Too Good Not to See Again

and again...

Phx - where sweet victory happens

by Seth Pollack on Mar 11, 2008 9:20 PM MDT reply actions

That is just too awesome

Wish I could be watching this

by frienetic on Mar 11, 2008 9:25 PM MDT up reply actions

wow

hilarious

parallel universe

by SilverSprings on Mar 11, 2008 9:48 PM MDT up reply actions

Q3 9:45 - Raja's three has entered the building

What is it about the Grizzlies that he saves it for the second half of the game?

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:29 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 8:43 - Raja II

Raja hits again from three. Grizzles fans probably see Raja in their nightmares.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:31 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 7:38 - Shaq is finally on the board

On the putback of Nash's miss.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:32 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 6:56 - Raja yet again

I can't wait to see what 3 Shades of Blue has to say about this. Last time, it was something like this: "I hate Raja Bell. Goes 0-9 from three then nails three straight. Who does that?"

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:34 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 6:47 - Shaq to the bench

For the final time tonight?

...meanwhile, Bell hits again, this time three the hard way on the floater with the foul.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:35 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 5:43 - Darko down

Looks like Nash may have got a piece of Darko along with that rebound. Or Amare did. Either way, Darko down with a knee to the groin apparently. No mercy from Amare, puts it in and the Suns lead 98-59.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:38 PM MDT reply actions

Bench

I'd like to see DJ and Skinner get some time tonight if possible.

by MichiganSunsFan on Mar 11, 2008 9:38 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 4:41 - A little lazy that time

But we'll let them off the hook since multi-offensive rebounds are much less common these days.

Meanwhile, Raja hits yet again.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:41 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 3:18 - I'm crediting that miss to Diaw

Passing up that shot threw everybody off, and Raja ended up having to take one.

OK, I'm getting nitpicky now. Really not much to gripe about tonight.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:43 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 2:30 - I think maybe it's time to get...

...the starters out. Up by 31, and the guys are starting to play a little too wild just trying to keep from getting bored, maybe. Which is fine, nice to see them having fun. But at some point, let's just don't risk an injury.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:45 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 2:29 - Coach listens to me again

Nash and Amare are out, my guess for the rest of the game. Hopefully Hill and Bell will soon follow.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:47 PM MDT reply actions

Q3 1:34 - Loving G2 tonight

Loved that little fist-pump after the layup. He's needed a night like this.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:49 PM MDT reply actions

us

and his new fans from phx following him

by jasonsuns1 on Mar 11, 2008 9:51 PM MDT up reply actions

And that pretty much sums up the night

LB beats the buzzer all the way down the court and in the hoop in four seconds.

Suns already have 109 points, and we still have a whole quarter to go. Suns gave up 38 points in that quarter, so clearly the foot was off the gas petal on defense. Not so much on offense, though, as they scored 37 themselves.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 9:55 PM MDT reply actions

LB beats everyone

I missed that play. CBS Sportsline had it at 2 seconds. how did that play go?

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

by Hawk42 on Mar 11, 2008 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions

I think it was 4.7 seconds to go....

...Somebody got the rebound (forgot who), got it to LB who went all the way down the court and into the bucket just before the buzzer. So, might have been under 4 seconds total in LB's hands, but I doubt it was two. Would have to go back and re-watch to know for sure, though.

by TexSUN on Mar 11, 2008 10:05 PM MDT up reply actions