Phoenix Suns Game Preview Against Golden State Warriors: First Of Three-In-Three

by Alex Laugan on Feb 13, 2012 3:00 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

This week, the Suns face the brutality of NBA life after a long lockout: every team has at least one "3-games-in-3-nights" series on their 2011-2012 schedule. The Suns (12-15) have 2 such opportunities for fun this season - the first kicking off with tonight's game against the Warriors (10-14) in California.

While real-life data shows that, so far, 3-in-3 isn't much different than any other scheduling phenomenon - thanks to some research by BSotS' own 7footer - the Suns happen to be sporting two of the oldest players in the NBA in Grant Hill and Steve Nash. Gentry will have to monitor their minutes, possibly even sitting one or both out of one of the games.

The most winnable game is tonight's and is likely to feature the most Nash and Hill minutes of the week unless it's a blowout in the 4th quarter. After that, the Suns fly to Denver for a mile-high game, followed by a home game against the Hawks. All in the span of about 50 hours. Considering the opponents, the Suns' history against those teams, and the venue of each game, if the Suns are going to "punt" any of these games to win the others, you'd have to "X" out the Denver game.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Tonight, the Suns face the Warriors - a team the Suns have found ways to beat in 11 of the last 12 regular-season meetings. The Warriors have failed to score 100 points in the last 4 meetings (averaging 92), while the Suns have averaged 106. The Suns won the first matchup this season, 102-91.

Cross your fingers that the Suns can continue this stretch of dominance.

Special gameday fun: use the comments section to create a caption for that awesome picture!

Take a look at the Warriors stats:

			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
Monta Ellis	23	37.8	8.5	19.3	44.0	1.2	4.3	27.0	4.4	5.6	79.7	0.5	2.8	3.3	6.1	3.6	1.7	0.4	2.3	22.7
David Lee	23	37.0	7.6	14.9	51.2	0.0	0.1	0.0	3.0	4.1	72.6	3.0	7.0	10.0	2.6	2.8	1.0	0.5	3.5	18.2
Stephen Curry	15	32.7	6.7	13.4	49.8	2.4	5.5	43.4	1.7	2.3	74.3	0.7	3.4	4.1	6.7	3.0	2.0	0.3	2.9	17.5
Dorell Wright	23	29.3	4.0	9.1	43.3	1.9	5.0	37.1	1.5	1.9	77.3	0.9	3.5	4.4	1.8	0.8	0.9	0.3	1.7	11.3
Nate Robinson	17	22.3	3.4	8.4	40.8	0.9	3.1	30.2	2.2	2.5	86.0	0.4	1.8	2.2	4.5	1.4	1.0	0.1	2.2	9.9
Brandon Rush	24	24.4	3.1	6.2	50.3	1.7	3.0	56.3	1.3	1.6	76.9	0.5	2.7	3.3	1.2	1.1	0.6	0.8	1.4	9.2
Klay Thompson	24	16.7	3.0	6.3	47.0	1.5	3.0	49.3	0.2	0.2	100.0	0.2	1.3	1.5	1.3	1.1	0.5	0.3	2.4	7.5
Kwame Brown	9	20.7	2.3	4.4	52.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.7	3.8	44.1	1.8	4.6	6.3	0.4	1.6	0.9	0.0	2.3	6.3
Ekpe Udoh	24	19.0	1.6	4.1	38.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.9	1.4	64.7	1.2	2.3	3.5	0.7	0.9	0.6	1.5	2.8	4.1
Charles Jenkins	16	9.3	1.2	2.4	48.7	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.1	0.1	100.0	0.1	0.4	0.6	1.4	0.3	0.4	0.1	1.4	2.4
Andris Biedrins	21	17.5	1.2	2.0	61.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	20.0	1.2	3.5	4.7	0.2	0.4	0.7	1.2	3.0	2.4
Dominic McGuire	22	11.2	0.9	2.2	40.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.7	75.0	0.8	1.7	2.5	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.9	2.4
Jeremy Tyler	13	4.2	0.6	1.2	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.5	50.0	0.4	0.5	0.8	0.2	0.3	0.0	0.2	1.0	1.5
Chris Wright	7	2.7	0.1	0.4	33.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.4	0.6	75.0	0.3	0.4	0.7	0.1	0.3	0.1	0.1	0.6	0.7

For more coverage of the game:

Suns vs Warriors coverage

Golden State Of Mind

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Comments

Well, at least Lou isn't there to do the ex-Suns revenge thing on us...

Frye is shooting 60.5 percent (26 of 43) from 3-point range versus Golden State in his career – his highest percentage against any opponent.

Could be fun.

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
"In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."

by haremoor on Feb 13, 2012 3:07 PM MST reply actions

I'll be attending this game!

I’m a Bay Area resident, and will be in attendance of this game!

I’ll post my sentiments on the game, after the Suns take the Warriors down (102-97?).

by ZillaRock on Feb 13, 2012 3:18 PM MST reply actions

I'll be there too!

I’m a little nervous about this game, though. The Warriors are hot, and Ellis, Curry and Klay Thompson have been shooting the lights out.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 13, 2012 4:11 PM MST up reply actions

most importantly,

it’s tim hardaway bobble head night…get em while they’re hot

by Fritzy on Feb 13, 2012 4:14 PM MST up reply actions

Well, yeah, that's really why I'm going.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 13, 2012 4:17 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Have fun guys

I’ll be cheering from my apartment. At least I get to watch this one on TV rather than a crappy stream.

BAMF goes HAM.

by brian13 on Feb 13, 2012 5:13 PM MST up reply actions

Same here.

I’ll be hustling out of my night class right at 9 to get home for the beginning of the game.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Feb 13, 2012 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

Which also means I'll miss out on the game thread.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Feb 13, 2012 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

:-(

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Feb 13, 2012 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

if you’re home for the game, why no game thread?

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Feb 13, 2012 6:19 PM MST up reply actions

We might drive him sane.

Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.

Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.

by NashMV3 on Feb 13, 2012 6:59 PM MST up reply actions

I don't have Wifi at home yet.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Feb 13, 2012 7:06 PM MST up reply actions

photo comment

steve “get your hands off me i agreed to implant a 3rd ball on the polish hammer”

by good like a-1 beer on Feb 13, 2012 3:24 PM MST reply actions

Where is Lou ?!

roses are red violets are blue, Michael Redd is coming for you!

by Lino Canaan on Feb 13, 2012 4:03 PM MST reply actions

The Pacers I believe

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Feb 13, 2012 4:05 PM MST up reply actions

They traded him to the Pacers for Brandon Rush

And, as you can see above, Rush is playing very well for them. Pretty safe to say they don’t miss Louuuuuuuuuuu all that much.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 13, 2012 4:12 PM MST up reply actions

i watched an indiana game the other day

and they’re doin the loouu thing already. He must be so sick of that…

by Fritzy on Feb 13, 2012 4:15 PM MST up reply actions

Damn night class. Why must you ruin everything??

Picture caption: “I know you want some of this… but get your stinkin’ paws off me!”

Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.

Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.

by NashMV3 on Feb 13, 2012 5:29 PM MST reply actions

Tee-hee...

My class gets over half an hour before the game.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Feb 13, 2012 5:47 PM MST up reply actions

Jerk...

I R MAD.

Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.

Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.

by NashMV3 on Feb 13, 2012 6:59 PM MST up reply actions

I slept the whole afternoon

So I could get up for this game. That’s called Suns Love!

Alea iacta est!

by PolishHammer on Feb 13, 2012 5:48 PM MST reply actions

Props to you sir!!!

I’m a Manchester united fan,and I always miss the games that start @ 6am… I just can’t get myself up b4 7 am..

The battle against the monster under my bed continues...

by Aztiramtempe on Feb 13, 2012 6:00 PM MST up reply actions

To be honest

I was off from work today, otherwise no chance to sleep the whole afternoon. I wish I would live in Asia, all games would start around noon :)

Alea iacta est!

by PolishHammer on Feb 13, 2012 7:58 PM MST up reply actions

That picture

Is Curry telling Nash “YOU SHALL NOT PASS”

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Feb 13, 2012 5:53 PM MST reply actions

Curry: "Steevveee are you my daddy?!"

Stephan looks 15 here.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Feb 13, 2012 6:03 PM MST reply actions

Taking my pre-game nap since I barely had sleep last night. See you all in a few hours.

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Feb 13, 2012 6:04 PM MST up reply actions

" you want this ball, YOU WANT THIS BALL!!!!!….YOU CAN’T HANDLE THIS BALL!!!!!!!!

by 2NASHTY on Feb 13, 2012 6:51 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

rec.

Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 13, 2012 6:59 PM MST up reply actions

“My precious….must have the precious”

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Feb 13, 2012 7:06 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

Back to back to back? pshhh

Lets go Suns!!

by iceythril on Feb 13, 2012 7:53 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

I love that face

I don’t know why haha it gets me every time.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Feb 13, 2012 7:55 PM MST up reply actions

Robin Lopez SUCKS

by Migonads on Feb 13, 2012 9:23 PM MST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

I'm watching this game and thinking...

Telfair got to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! The non starter of the Suns totally suck!!! And Lopez he’s just plain stupid! Redd is the only one doing well and at least he’s trying for christ sake!!!!

by JoeWisco on Feb 13, 2012 9:35 PM MST reply actions