Game Preview (Payback Version): Suns Vs. Hornets

by Wil Cantrell on Feb 1, 2010 12:50 PM MST in Game Coverage Comment 27 comments

Tonight the Suns get a chance to make up for some ugly history when they take on the New Orleans Hornets tonight in New Orleans.

Like the last CP3-less meeting, the Suns are coming off of a road win versus the Houston Rockets. Unlike the last game though, the Suns don't have a break in between games, and must deal with the tired legs factor. Nash and Amare played 41 minutes, Grant Hill 39, and Jason Richardson played 35.

The Hornets are coming off of a nice come from behind victory versus the Memphis Grizzlies. Down 19 at the half the Hornets turned it on in the second half and won 109-102. Both Emeka and Collison came up big for the Hornets in that game.

At the moment, New Orleans sits 4 games back of the Mavericks in the Southwest and a game behind the Suns in the WC playoff picture, currently occupying the 8th seed. They are 3-2 in their last 5 with victories over Portland, Golden State, and Memphis.

Darren Collison will start in place of Chris Paul at the point. Collison is coming off of a 17 point, 18 assist performance against Memphis, and is Reason #1 why the Suns need to come out swinging tonight. Collison is a youngster, and second string to CP3, but he is the #1 now and should be treated as such.

Reason #2 is Peja Stojakovic, AKA Suns Killer. Peja was an 0-for in the first meeting with the Suns but rebounded with 7 threes and 25 points in the second matchup. Keep a body on that guy and a hand in his face (although that probably won't help).

Reason #3 is Emeka Okafor who pulled down 12 boards, 7 of them offensive in the last match up. It should be interesting to see how Robin plays Okafor and how he manages after playing 26 minutes last night.

Reason #4 is David West. While only going 2-11 from the field against the Suns last time, he's averaging 19 and 9 at home this season.

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Chris Paul	38	38.7	7.5	14.9	50.4	1.2	2.9	42.0	4.1	4.8	86.2	0.5	4.1	4.6	11.2	2.5	2.3	0.2	2.6	20.4
David West	46	35.3	7.3	14.9	49.4	0.1	0.4	33.3	3.2	3.7	86.5	2.2	5.4	7.7	2.2	2.1	0.8	0.7	2.7	18.0
Peja Stojakovic	45	29.9	4.1	10.4	39.4	2.2	5.9	37.2	1.3	1.4	90.6	0.6	2.9	3.5	1.3	0.7	0.7	0.0	1.4	11.7
Emeka Okafor	47	30.4	4.5	8.5	52.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.3	3.9	59.2	3.4	6.4	9.8	0.6	1.4	0.6	1.7	2.8	11.3
Marcus Thornton	41	20.6	3.8	8.9	43.0	1.3	3.4	37.1	1.3	1.7	78.3	0.7	1.5	2.2	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.1	1.6	10.2
Darius Songaila	47	17.8	3.2	6.3	51.4	0.0	0.1	20.0	0.7	0.9	79.5	0.8	2.1	2.9	0.9	1.0	0.7	0.2	2.6	7.2
Darren Collison	41	17.3	2.6	6.2	41.4	0.2	0.8	29.4	1.4	1.6	86.6	0.4	1.5	1.9	3.2	1.6	0.7	0.0	0.9	6.8
James Posey	45	22.3	1.7	4.6	37.7	1.1	3.2	34.0	1.1	1.2	85.7	0.4	3.5	3.8	1.2	0.7	0.5	0.2	2.4	5.6
Morris Peterson	11	13.7	1.5	5.1	30.4	0.8	3.3	25.0	0.2	0.2	100.0	0.3	1.3	1.5	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.0	1.2	4.1
Julian Wright	36	11.4	1.4	3.1	46.0	0.0	0.1	25.0	0.3	0.4	73.3	0.9	1.4	2.3	0.5	0.6	0.4	0.3	0.6	3.2
Aaron Gray	9	6.2	0.9	2.3	38.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.8	28.6	0.7	1.3	2.0	0.2	0.1	0.0	0.1	1.4	2.0
Sean Marks	9	5.6	0.2	0.6	40.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.4	50.0	1.3	0.9	2.2	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.2	1.1	0.7

Getting Down to Brass Tacks:

It goes without saying the the bench will have to step up tonight. Goran "The Slovenian Sniper" Dragic only played 14 minutes last night and will most likely be asked to double that amount of work tonight. Nash should be tired and still nursing his abdominal strain. Lopez will need to body Okafor, Stat will need to slow West and continue his gorilla game from last night. (Did you hear, Stat feels less stressed on the road as he can escape the trade rumors that seem to be waiting for him in PHX?). I don't expect much left in Grant Hill's tank tonight, but anything he can bring is an added bonus, especially slowing Peja. Expect Dudley to get some quality minutes on him as well.

I don't like the word "gritty" as it is applied to teams, players or athletics in general (overused), so I'll substitute Junkyard Dog in its place. The Suns need to bring their junkyard dog game tonight. I don't care that they're playing back to back, payback is due vs. New Orleans, and the bench is capable of picking up the starters.

Quotable

Steve Nash (commenting on last night's officiating)

"I'm not going to talk about Scott Foster."

Way to take the high road, Steve.

Alvin Gentry (commenting on the officiating)

"I thought that was an outstanding call (the technical on Nash). I don't ever question anything they do. We're not supposed to. I thought it was an outstanding call and I'm sure everybody else does too... I'm not going to give them any of my money. I'll tell you how great they are and how they do a great job and they work extremely hard and they do a great job getting up and down the court and it was a well-officiated game."

Gentry has described himself (and most of the Suns) as "tight" with money. I don't blame him for not taking the bait.

Robin Lopez (on giving up an 18 point lead but still coming out with a W)

"Teams are going to make runs but in the past we didn't really respond to those runs, this time, we were mentally tough."

Aaron Brooks (on his missed layup at the end of the game)

"I just missed it..Great play. I got to the rim. I make that shot nine out of 10 times. The ball kind of slipped."

Rick Adelman: Complaining about the lane violation call on Brooks last night

"It happened so quick, I don't know how he made (that call)...It's been going on in our league for years. I'm sorry. They step over it constantly. It's when you call it that it's really important."

Rick-quick to you is um, not so quick to others. Be quiet and strap on your depends.

Oh, and lastly, Channing Frye has been asked to participate in the 3-point shooting contest during the All-Star Weekend. Congrats Channing!

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Comments

Other than Frye

Who is in the 3pt Shoot-out and also the HORSE contest? Or has the NBA not made any official announcements yet?

by MarauderMania44 on Feb 1, 2010 12:59 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I know Durant is in the Horse Contest

other than that the league hasn’t announced it yet.

by DaveJD on Feb 1, 2010 1:35 PM MST up reply actions

There is no reason to believe the Suns will lose this game. They quit screwing around, for the most part, against the Rockets and Mavericks. They will probably ride that to victory here.

Since MarauderMania brought it up, I’ll say it again: Death to the All-Star Game. There is absolutely nothing to gain for a serious basketball fan, and potentially much to lose. I’ve never heard of it happening, but a player can tear his ACL or rupture his Achilles tendon as easily there as in any game. The last time I remember watching one of these silly games was in 1995.

by species8473 on Feb 1, 2010 1:05 PM MST reply actions

The best...

of the all-star games from the major sports. But yeah you are right… still not that exciting. I find all of the extra activities much more interesting.

by Superelkman on Feb 1, 2010 1:09 PM MST up reply actions

I watch every NBA All-Star game..

I’ve never seen a Pro-Bowl, I rarely watch the MLB all-star game except for the home run derby…

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Feb 1, 2010 1:54 PM MST up reply actions

I’m a big fan of the NBA All-Star game. It’s a fun exhibition and the players know and treat it as such until it gets a little more serious in the second half with teams playing to win. I enjoy All-Star weekend too and would definitely recommend that everyone watch the Sprite Amateur Slam Dunk contest on Saturday at 6 ET on NBATV – I guarantee that if you will not be disappointed. I would wager money that it’s going to be a lot better than the NBA Dunk Contest (which I’m also very much looking forward to). All-Star weekend gives the players a chance to relax and be around colleagues – I’ve never heard any player complain about that…if you don’t watch I feel sorry for you because you’re missing out on a very fun event.

Staff writer: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @dpwatson

by watdogg10 on Feb 1, 2010 2:19 PM MST up reply actions

I really hope Stern doesn't start fining subtle criticism, or Gentry's going to be in trouble.

"Swimming is not a sport. Swimming is a way to keep from drowning. That’s just common sense! "-George Carlin

by Diosnomeama on Feb 1, 2010 1:08 PM MST reply actions

$tern isn’t a subtle kind of guy, now, is he?

by species8473 on Feb 1, 2010 1:13 PM MST up reply actions

That bit of ugly history....

May have driven me more crazy than any non-Pacers game this season. (@GSW, @DEN also sit close on that list). It probably had something to do with the fact that my hopes were sky high at that point in the season.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.com/

by Scott Howard on Feb 1, 2010 1:09 PM MST reply actions

Yeah

I think the Denver game still has the top of my list. Talk about a downer…

Reading is good...

by N8lol on Feb 1, 2010 1:42 PM MST up reply actions

Random Thoughts on this Game

There is no way we should lose this game.

David West reminds me of a poor man’s Amare. Less athletic, slightly worse rebounder(gulp!), good mid-range game. Amare needs to abuse West offensively and make him put it on the ground defensively. Stop the pick and pop game.

I think a guy like Julian Wright would be an excellent fit in the Sun’s starting lineup. Long, athletic, aggressive, good rebounding small forward. He would offset the other starters weaknesses to come degree.

I don’t know how many minutes he got last game but I hope Amundson gets atleast 20 minutes this game. You cannot replace that guys energy with anyone else on this team.

How does Peja get open for 3 still? He is unathletic by NBA standards. Don’t sag off this guy to help when Paul penetrates. The other 4 will have to deal with containing him as a barrage of 3’s from Peja is something we do not need. Make them beat us with 2’s.

Keep Emeka off the glass Lopez… this will be very key in this game. I think everyone knows how good Okafor can be getting garbage buckets.

by Superelkman on Feb 1, 2010 1:17 PM MST reply actions

Correction

Paul’s not playing so even more reason to not sag off of Peja. Even better to make Collison have to beat you.

by Superelkman on Feb 1, 2010 1:18 PM MST up reply actions

I was kind of hoping

Dudley would make the 3point contest.

Not a big deal though I guess.

by AcucracK on Feb 1, 2010 1:35 PM MST reply actions

+1

I’m happy cause Channing will be there but having Dudley in the contest would have been awesome

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Feb 1, 2010 5:34 PM MST up reply actions

If he’s #1 in 3pt % by the all-star break than he should be in the contest. It would be good to see two suns players in the contest. Just like it was on 05 with Q and JJ.

by Beavis 25 on Feb 1, 2010 1:40 PM MST reply actions

Some other good games to switch to ...

.. following the Suns victory.

Dallas at Utah. As long as one of them loses, I’ll be happy. But I want to keep the standings as compressed as possible, so I guess I’ll be for the Jazz.

Charlotte at Portland – Go, Boris! The more havoc wreaked on other contenders by EC teams, the better.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on the score of the Lakers at Memphis. Certainly, the thought crossed my mind that it’d be better for Memphis to lose this one, but I just can’t want it to happen.

And it’d be nice if Westie and the Kings could come out of nowhere to beat the Nuggz, but I just don’t see it.

Anyway, all sidelights. Go, Suns!

by SueB on Feb 1, 2010 1:53 PM MST reply actions

No.

The Lakers must lose every game. It’s a moral issue.

by species8473 on Feb 1, 2010 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

Please...

We know there’s a game tonight, can’t we all just get back to speculating on what may or may not happen?

PSN ID- presbot

by presbot on Feb 1, 2010 2:02 PM MST reply actions

The Suns may or may not win tonight

by SueB on Feb 1, 2010 2:06 PM MST up reply actions

That's more like it!

Go Suns!

PSN ID- presbot

by presbot on Feb 1, 2010 2:12 PM MST up reply actions

Hornets

good points in the write-up. I thought a lot of Collison, but thought Maynor was better. You can’t take your eyes off of him. I am looking forward to seeing what Dragic can do to him. One of these games we need to start Goran and let Steve play against the second sring PG, just to see what would happen. I would bet that Dragic would hold his own against most, and that Steve would tear apart the second string PG. Just a thought. Not advocating taking Steve;s starting spot away. I’d just like to see them try it.

Peja needs to have a man on him at all times. I am looking forward to Robin and Okafor.

STAT won’t have tired legs – he just needs to suck it up. He sat the whole fourth quarter a game ago and most of the overtime against the Rockets.

A good effort should bring a win.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Feb 1, 2010 2:43 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Dragic on Paul

I wonder how much Dragic the Dragon’s superior defense (superior to Nash’s) could limit Chris Paul if he were there.

by species8473 on Feb 1, 2010 3:43 PM MST reply actions

No letdown

Let’s hope the Suns do not to underestimate this Hornets team, even without CP3. The bench better perform well as our starters will be winded tonight due to our OT game last night.

Check out all the latest Suns news, highlights, videos, and even watch the game live online at www.SunsDynasty.com.

by SunsDynastyXcom on Feb 1, 2010 3:56 PM MST reply actions

Go Suns!!!

Please no letdown. PLEASE!!!!!

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Feb 1, 2010 4:36 PM MST reply actions

sick josey wales picture. let’s see a win!

by kuato lives on Feb 1, 2010 5:38 PM MST up reply actions

I feel that the Hornets are a certain type of dysfunctional team: the type made dysfunctional by its owner not having enough money. George Shinn makes Robert Sarver look like the Dolans. Chris Paul made a mistake in signing an extension.

by species8473 on Feb 1, 2010 4:41 PM MST reply actions

Should be a win

We had a letdown last time but the Hornets don’t have Posey tonight and Devin Brown (who lit us up last game) was traded away for nothing. The Hornets were bad with Chris Paul, they’ll go into a tailspin soon.

by MichiganSunsFan on Feb 1, 2010 4:57 PM MST reply actions