Game Preview: Suns @ Boston (Will Tacos Happen?)

One of my favorite terms in baseball lore is the Mendoza Line. For the Suns this season we have the Taco Line.

If the Suns score 99 points you win (yes, you!) two free tacos. This applies to both home AND away games.

Ed Note: I would link to the page on Suns.com that shows this promotion along with lots of other promotions but the NBA doesn't allow that.

Two free 182 calorie snacks aside, the Taco Line provides a very meaningful measure for the Suns likely success. New defensive and rebounding focus is nice but this team needs to score the ball to win games and stay happy.

The C's are holding teams to a measly 81 points per game and the Suns are averaging a league 2nd best 111 ppg (link to stats page not allowed) .

I am so confident that the 99 point mark is the key in this game that I promise to both buy and eat two tacos if the Suns don't score 99 point and still manage to win the game. I am laying it all on the line here.

Keys to Crossing the Taco Line:

• To reach the Taco Line it is going to take more than zero combined points from Grant Hill and Jason Richardson and after two bad shooting games, I am looking for Frye to light it up again.
• The Nash - Rondo tussle is always fun if by "fun" you enjoy seeing Rondo drive by Nash repeatedly and use those freakishly long arms to disrupt Steve's passes.
• Amare and KG have had some nice battles in the past if by "nice battles" you mean that one game that one time where Amare scored 28 points and actual pushed KG around and not this other time where he had 3 points.

Seriously now, this game is going to be a tough win just like winning in Orlando was always a long-shot. That doesn't excuse a blow out and getting absolutely torched in the 3rd quarter.

Tonight the Suns are better rested after barely playing on Wednesday so I am looking for a full 110% effort and a competitive game. And if they are able to find a way to beat the Celtics vaunted defense and reach the Taco Line you never know...

Be sure to check out CelticsBlog

Pregame Links:

• Suns-Celtics Preview - Nov. 5, 2009 - NBA - CBSSports.com
  Coach Alvin Gentry joked that his Phoenix Suns squandered a chance at an undefeated season following their first defeat this week.
• Suns don't fret about top teams
  It used to be that a season's defining moments for the Suns came against the top teams. They were games that would state grandly whether Phoenix was living up to its championship-caliber dreams. This week, Wednesday night's loss at Orlando and Friday's visit to Boston are simply for good measure. Nobody expects the Suns to operate at the level of those teams. Many wonder whether the Suns are a playoff-caliber team. Their 4-0 start this season and their wins against the league's bottom half all the more important.
• Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics has been at his best against the Phoenix Suns - ESPN Boston
  Rondo's latest challenge comes vs. Suns, Nash

• BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Celtics Insider" Blog Archive " Everybody loves Jared
  The Suns visit to Boston to play the Celtics tonight at 7:30 has given former Boston College star Jared Dudley the chance to return to the place that saw him transform from unheralded recruit to ACC Player of the Year. Dudley should have some fans in the Garden crowd tonight, though it’s not like he’s in short supply. Anyone and everyone who is asked about the gritty reserve forward offers positively glowing reviews.

• azcentral.com - coro report
  Suns guard Leandro Barbosa put up some shots after today's shootaround in Boston but is planning to sit out a third consecutive game tonight against the Celtics. Barbosa said the wrist was "way better but it's still bothering me." He said he feels pain, a "pop," when he shoots. "I think I'm gong to wait one more game," Barbosa said.

• Celtics Set for Showdown With Surprising Suns at Garden - Boston Celtics - NESN.com
  The Suns are no longer undefeated, but they're still one of the elite teams in the Western Conference. With Steve Nash still going strong at 35 and Amare Stoudemire still looking like a wizard on the offensive end, Phoenix is in business. Expect this team to hang tough with the Lakers for the Pacific Division title this season.

• SUNS: Suns-Celtics Game Preview: 11/6/2009

Other Links:

• Why No Outcry Over Sterling? - Bethlehem Shoals - The Baseline - Sporting News
  Where are the hordes of angry liberal Clipper fans? Where's LeBron James standing up for people everywhere? Where is Kayne West!
• Stephen Curry will not be easily hazed - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
  The kid's court awareness is phemonenal
• Don't forget Bobcats in Stephen Jackson sweepstakes - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
  Diaw to the Warriors for S Jax?
• SUNS: Suns Honored with Three Emmys
  Congrats to the suns.com crew
• Comedy Central orders the Onion TV pilot--The Live Feed | THR
  CAN'T WAIT!!! The as-yet-untitled pilot will be based on the Onion Sports Network online video series and take on teams, fans, sports products and sports coverage. The show will be geared toward sports lovers and long-time followers of the Onion.

• Friday links |  Fanster.com -
  I don't know what it is about these goofball pictures of Channing Frye and Steve Nash that make me laugh, but it never fails.  Maybe it's the s*#t-eating

• Amar'e Stoudemire will be at Boost Mobile's grand opening of their first retail store in downtown Phoenix.
  Boost Mobile Retail Store 4031 North 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-955-3880 1:30 pm. – 2 pm. – Meet and greet and photo opportunity with Amar’e Stoudemire as he signs autographs for fans

[Preview by Suns Fan For Life 11/06/09 4:46 PM MST ]

I think the key to this game could come down to two things. The Amare KG match-up and if our hustle players can match the know commodities that the Celtics have.

First. The matchup. KG is just one of the best PF of all time. Offense defense or otherwise. He has adapted as he has lost some athleticism and continued to remain at the top of his game. We have yet to see this with Amare. There have been flashes but how far along is overall process. Is he ready to carry this team on his back not just physically but mentally. Does he play a complete game. At this point in their prospective careers Amare should be able to get his offensive game going. Maybe not dominate butt score when needed. He has to be mentally there for rebounds and be able to completely control KG on defense. He needs to force the double team while on offense and control KG while on defense. If he can do this the rest of our game should come into place.

This leads to our other question. Does all of our potential players come out and play. Do they chechout at certain points in the game or do they stay focused. Does Frye get frustrated when his shot doesn’t fall or does he just find a way to contribute no matter what. Does Dragic continue to build his confidence. Can Collins fill the role is wide butt is capable of doing. Can Clark also find ways to contribute and start putting together a complete game.

I know we are missing Barbs, but if the other pieces come together and we get production from Grant and JRich. this should be an interesting game.

This game is more mental than any other game we have played so far or will play. The Celtics are perhaps the most fundamentally sound team in the league. If we can stay engaged we have the potential to beat this team even on their home court. On that there are too many questions to post a guess o the score. It should be good.