FanPost

Blazers vs Suns

 

Ed Note: Bumped from the Fan Posts. I've intended to write a detailed preview of this game myself and have a LOT to say on the matter but once again am just slammed today. Maybe later. Thanks to antiw0rm for stepping into the breach

The Suns have more or less dominated the Blazers the last few years outscoring them by an average of 11.7 points and winning 11 in a row until our last meeting. Phoenix beat them twice this year, then came Roy. Roy scored 52 points in 44 minutes to finish his best game of his career and give the Suns a taste of their own scoring medicine. The Suns sit 2 - 1 against the Blazers this season.

However, Last night against Philadelphia Roy went 5 of 18 from the field and watched as his team climbed back from a 14 point deficit to eventually be defeated in extra minutes. Portland in the race for better positioning in the Northwest division will need to avoid adding another loss or risk being caught by Dallas in the 8th seed. Portland is currently tied with Utah at 44 - 27 for 6th in the west.

Phoenix coming into this game will need to shut down Roy and keep close tabs on Steve Blake. These two combined for 72 points and are the reason the Suns lost to Portland in the last meeting.

 

Blazers Edge Preview

 

Match-ups that I will be watching:

Grant Hill vs Brandon Roy: Grant Hill has been a defensive juggernaut in the past 4 games and an offensive genius as well. If Grant Hill is playing decent he should give Roy enough to worry about thus keeping his scoring in check. Not to mention Roy has a minor ankle injury and is listed as probable. + 1 for the Suns.

Steve vs Steve: Nash will need to be aggressive offensively as to keep Blake occupied. However, Nash can never exactly be relied on for defensive stops and continues to react slowly in most cases. + 1 for Portland.

Greg Oden vs Shaqtus: Simply +1 Suns.

LaMarcus Aldridge vs Matt Barns: This is a tough cover for Matt Barns but I see this thing going either way. Matt will need to continue to be aggressive going to the hoop. Matt Gives up a few inches as usual at this position but they end up roughly the same size. I would say these two cancel each other out.

Phoenix Bench vs Portland Bench: As of late our bench seems to be the better of the two. With extreme hustle and improved confidence the Suns should win this one. + 1 for the Suns.

The rest of the Suns need to continue to put a hand in the passing lanes. Richardson will need to continue to make shots and on the other end keep track of his man on the 3 point line.

If the Suns play anything like they have in the last 6 games. We should come out of this with a WIN.

Dallas plays Denver tomorrow night. A win for us in Portland could move us to 2.5 games overall. A win by Denver tomorrow night would put is with in 2 games. This will be a nail biter.