Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 3:45 PM MDT in Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	at	Denver Nuggets
50-24		45-29
6:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern
TV: My45 HD, NBATV
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Anthony Carter
Leandro Barbosa	SG	Allen Iverson
Raja Bell	SF	Carmelo Anthony
Amare Stoudemire	PF	Kenyon Martin
Shaquille O'Neal	C	Marcus Camby

Same song, second verse. After a thrilling show last night, the Suns play the Nuggets again tonight, this time in the mile-high air of Denver. I'm not going to even try to add to the already-great analysis by ZonaFlash on the matchups between these two teams. I just wanted to give this game its own thread to make it easier to follow the live blogging. Earlier today, Phoenix Stan broke down the minutes played in last night's game, and shared his thoughts on what we can expect to see from the sheer exhaustion side of things. Also, if you're a Nuggets fan or just want a view of the game from the other side of the fence, visit Pick Axe and Roll.

Live blogging begins at tipoff in the comments of this post. In the meantime, since the USAC crowd didn't acknowledge Nash's MVP performance last night (I know, I know, get over it TexSUN!), YouTube of the Game returns with a few highlights (hat tip Phxsuns.net):

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Key to the Game

Very simple. Start fast. The Suns can't come back two nights in a row. But the Nuggets aren't going to come back either if the Suns can get out to a fast start. That means energy. Good defense. And focus. I think this game will be won or lost in the first quarter.

Phx - where run and thunder happens

by Phoenix Stan on Apr 1, 2008 5:28 PM MDT 0 recs

Agreed.

Now, here is 20 minutes of Steve Nash shooting. You get a sense of how he shoots and why he's as good as he is.

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by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 5:30 PM MDT 0 recs

Faith Please!!!

Have faith with our guys. my prayers are with them...go suns go

by wapsobsidians on Apr 1, 2008 5:51 PM MDT 0 recs

Has anyone

found a link to watch the game online?

Thanks a lot!

by PanamaSun on Apr 1, 2008 6:55 PM MDT 0 recs

I saw it listed in..

http://www.janeironation.5gigs.com/cc.html#top

Let´s see if it works when the game starts.

by PanamaSun on Apr 1, 2008 7:01 PM MDT up 0 recs

A few thoughts

I hope that the Suns can force the Nuggets into half court on defense. God that was ugly last night, they can't move the ball at all. More Diaw on Anthony please.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 6:59 PM MDT 0 recs

I think the link is in the usual place

http://www.janeironation.5gigs.com/cc.html

Just waiting for it to come up

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:00 PM MDT 0 recs

just waiting in the chat rooms

for a direct link...

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:02 PM MDT 0 recs

ok that first link is working!

Game on!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:03 PM MDT 0 recs

Game on

Orange uniforms tonight. Ugh.

Suns get the tip but come up empty on the first possession, and KMart gets the Nuggets first on the board.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:14 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 10:13 - Shaq with the monster rebound

...that nearly takes Carmelo's arm off. Hits one of two free throws on the other end to finally get the Suns on the board. 4-1, Nuggets.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:16 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 9:27 - Nice teamwork

Nash picks off the long pass, then gets it to Raja who gets it to Shaq.

...Meanwhile, the Suns get a stop, and Amare gets a jumper, and we're all tied up at five.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:18 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 8:19 - One man show

...for Anthony Carter, poking it a way from Amare, then taking it to the hole for a layup.

...meanwhile, a heat check from Nash shows that three-pointer hasn't arrived from the airport just yet.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:20 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 6:51 - Rebound by committee

Suns and Nuggets play volleyball trying to get the rebound. Raja eventually taps it to Shaq, and the Suns come away with a hard-earned stop.

...but get the turnover on the misconnect between Nash and Shaq. Too many turnovers in the early going, although the Nuggets have a lot to do with that. 14-9, Nuggets.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:22 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 5:29 Nuggets lead 16-11

Nuggets turned it over a few times early trying desperately to get on the break. Suns are starting pretty flat and the Nuggets are still fouling like crazy.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 7:25 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 5:54 - Happy, Stan?

Skinner enters the game for Shaq. Mike D'Antoni shaking up the rotation a bit.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:26 PM MDT 0 recs

Stan

Kerr & D'Antoni are reading you!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:26 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 5:37

SKINNER!!!!!!

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 7:26 PM MDT 0 recs

The And-1 King!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:27 PM MDT 0 recs

That's why he changed his jersey

for the And-1

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:28 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 5:04 - Slam by Skinner

And we're in a running game. 15-18, Nuggets.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:28 PM MDT 0 recs

Million thanks again ZonaFlash!!

yha i got it here guys..enjoy the game

http://www.janeironation.5gigs.com/rntv.html

by wapsobsidians on Apr 1, 2008 7:28 PM MDT 0 recs

cool!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:29 PM MDT up 0 recs

Skinner learning from Shaq

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:29 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 4:36 - Skinner taking advantage...

...of the rare opportunity for minutes, bringing the Suns within one with the short jumper that bounces softly on the rim then drops in.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:29 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 2:54 - Hey, Suns...

Just because you know you can come back from a 20-point deficit doesn't mean you have to do it every game, OK?

Suns leave Najera wide open for the three and the double-digit lead. 28-17, Nuggets.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:34 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 2:49 Nuggets lead 28-17

Denver capitalizing from the free throw line much better than last night. Again, the Suns aren't doing THAT horrible defensively. They simply aren't scoring and Stat is turning it over more than usual.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 7:34 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 2:28 - Giricek wastes no time

Dropping that deficit back under 10. Hits a three immediately after taking the floor to bring it within eight.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:35 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 1:54 - Too. Many. Turnovers

That's all.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:35 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 00:58 - Nice standing ovation

...for Nene.

...meanwhile, Giricek is playing point guard on this possession. Or was until the foul call. Shaq at the line for another one of two to make it 34-25, Nuggets.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:39 PM MDT 0 recs

Q1 00:5.7 - That helps

LB hits a three, and JR Smith proves he doesn't hit every impossible shot he puts up, and the Suns are "only" down 36-28 heading into the second quarter. That's much better than the 39-25 from last night.

Suns shot 57% to the Nuggets' 50%, but gave up five extra shot attempts thanks to seven turnovers and three offensive rebounds allowed.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:44 PM MDT 0 recs

NASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:45 PM MDT 0 recs

Not tonight.

At least not so far. I'd have to give the early game ball to...ummm... Hmmm... Maybe Raja. Melo's 2-6 so far.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:48 PM MDT up 0 recs

I was asking for him

to get back in the game.

I agree. POG doesn't need to be the best player, but the one who exceeds expectations.

Could even be Moody Giricek tonight

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 7:59 PM MDT up 0 recs

Q2 10:26 - Timely three..

...by Raja. This was starting to get away from us. 41-33 after LB make too.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:45 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 8:53 - When did...

...Eddie Najera become a three-point sniper?

...At least Giricek gets it back.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:49 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 7:36 Nuggets up 49-38

Not a whole lot of answers except stop turning it over. I really wish Steve Nash averaged 48 minutes a night.....

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 7:51 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 6:13 - It's easy to get assists

...when you're passing to Amare, as Diaw and Nash find on consecutive possessions.

Meanwhile, a hot three-point shooter can get you assists too. Giricek hits again, and the Suns are within four at 51-47.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:55 PM MDT 0 recs

one of two things

will happen before the season ends...

lose my voice from my incessent screaming
my neighbors call the cops from my incessent screaming

i can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

by noonoo on Apr 1, 2008 7:55 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 5:07 - Sneaky!

Nash fakes the pass to shed his defender, then take it all the way to the basket while the rest of the Nuggets nap.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:56 PM MDT 0 recs

no kidding

it looked like there was only one (ugly) orange jersey (Nash) and five white ones

i can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

by noonoo on Apr 1, 2008 8:00 PM MDT up 0 recs

Q2 5:07 Nuggets lead down to 51-49

Off Steve Nash's layup. Suns have got Nuggets shooting jumpers instead of driving. And at least they haven't taken full advantage of our turnovers. Most of the time we've been able to slow them into half-court.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 7:57 PM MDT 0 recs

looks like

comeback :D
And howdy folks :D
My 1st post here. Been reading for awhile and was just fair to pay respect to guy to started this blog (tip of the hat sir)
GO SUNS !

by evnara on Apr 1, 2008 7:57 PM MDT 0 recs

That would be Dan

...who now works for Suns.com. But thanks! :)

And welcome!

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:59 PM MDT up 0 recs

Backcourt making plays

The Suns back court isn't exactly setting the world on fire so far, Raja because he's not hitting and Nash because he's not shooting, but the two have combined for 11 assists, or one more than the entire Nugget team.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 7:58 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 4:13 - Nuggets on a run now

6-0 run since the timeout.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:00 PM MDT 0 recs

"Oh ye of little faith"

Man I gotta berate myself now. I seriously turned off the radio in disgust just like last night and they've started a comeback just like last night!!! Now i'm still not convinced the Suns will win it like last night but God willing they make it fun.

"Of old, the Skillful Warrior first ensured his own invulnerability;then he waited for the enemy's vulnerability." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Apr 1, 2008 8:01 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 3:48 - Maybe that will wake up Diaw

Gets smacked in the face by Kenyon Martin, who also gets called for the tech. Hey, it worked for Nash last night.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:02 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 3:01 - Rewind moment

Nash jumps, spins and passes behind his back to Giricek.

...meanwhile, LB's three puts it back to a four-point game.

...but not for long. I'm really starting to hate JR Smith!

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:04 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 1:50 - Three for all!

LB and JR Smith exchange three's again. Might want to guard that guy.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:04 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 1:08 - Nice save/rebound

Giricek misses wide behind the backboard after the block, but Nash taps it back into him for another look closer in. This is turning into a fun game to watch, maybe even more than last night, since it's happening earlier in the game. (Time will tell...)

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:06 PM MDT 0 recs

oh my fuck

I fucking hate this jr smith dude!!!!!!!!

i can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

by noonoo on Apr 1, 2008 8:06 PM MDT 0 recs

He's coming off his rookie contract!

Denver will have to go deep into their luxury tax to keep him! =)

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 8:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

Nash assists

I think Nash is trying to take back the assist lead from CP3 in one game. Already has 12 assists and we're not even to halftime yet. Something tells me Nash will be getting a little more defensive attention in the second half.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:07 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 1:01 Nuggets lead 69-62

I think that eventually the free throw shooting has to swing back in our favor. The Suns are keeping relatively close. Close enough that they could take over quickly in the second half.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 8:07 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 00:47 - Giricek the pest!

Baits Carmelo into the offensive foul.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:08 PM MDT 0 recs

Q2 00:21 - Tech fest

Giricek is ticked off about something...whatever got him tagged with a tech I guess. Really letting the ref have it.

Replay shows he probably had a case. Even the Nuggets announcers agree.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:11 PM MDT 0 recs

And 1 KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 8:11 PM MDT 0 recs

amare...

the contortionist

i can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

by noonoo on Apr 1, 2008 8:13 PM MDT up 0 recs

halftime

and suns down just 5...very encouraging lol...hope they decide in locker room to win this one too

by evnara on Apr 1, 2008 8:13 PM MDT 0 recs

At the half

One last three-point play for Amare brings the Suns within five at 70-65. Would be great to have the lead, but we are so many miles ahead of where we were last night that I'm not even going to complain about the yielding the second-consecutive 70-point first half.

Suns outscored the Nuggets 37-34 in the second quarter. Their shooting is up to over 61% to the Nuggets' 51%. Both teams are shooting well from three. Or I should say two players from each team are shooting well from three. For the Suns it's LB and Giricek who have combined for 6-7. For the Nuggets, it's JR Smith and Najera(?) going 5-7 (seriously, when did Najera learn to shoot threes?). Nash has 13 assists, which equals the entire Nuggets team, and Raja has four.

Turnovers are the main thing to clean up in the second half. The Suns have 12 (4 by Amare, 3 by Nash).

Oh, and here's a stat you don't see every day: Nash with three steals. Of course, that's nothing compared to Anthony Carter's five.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:19 PM MDT 0 recs

At the Half Nuggets are up 70-65

There really isn't any one thing to point towards. Just have to get the stops on defense. Seems like Amare is getting the benefit of the doubt on fouls tonight. I thought he would be called a few more times than he was.

by MichiganSunsFan on Apr 1, 2008 8:22 PM MDT 0 recs

FRICK!

i hate my god damn internet it completely spazzed out on me and now i can't watch the game... i may cry

i can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars

by noonoo on Apr 1, 2008 8:25 PM MDT 0 recs

I don´t know if its my Internet or what..

But I have a "Not Broadcasting" message on my screen...

by PanamaSun on Apr 1, 2008 8:28 PM MDT up 0 recs

if you can post you should be ok

just try again.

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 8:29 PM MDT up 0 recs

Nop, not working...

No broadcasting message with the awful raptor´s mascot...

by PanamaSun on Apr 1, 2008 8:34 PM MDT up 0 recs

see my link below

happy times here again

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 8:40 PM MDT up 0 recs

http://www.ivytv.net/sport/index.php?id=338

by ZonaFlash on Apr 1, 2008 8:41 PM MDT up 0 recs

not so bad!!!!

HAVE FAITH GUYS..STEEEEEEEEEEEEV NAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!

by wapsobsidians on Apr 1, 2008 8:26 PM MDT 0 recs

Q3 10:51 - Amare lucks into a dunk

Shaq somehow manages to avoid the turnover and Amare ends up with it. 74-69, Nuggets as both teams have wasted no time getting the lid off the basket in the second half.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:30 PM MDT 0 recs

Q3 10:00 - Nash's shot

...definitely did not make the trip. So far, anyway.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:30 PM MDT 0 recs

Q3 9:31 - But his passing arm...

...seems to be working fine. Nash to LB for the jumper.

Meanwhile, Raja and Melo get into it.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:32 PM MDT 0 recs

Q3 9:21 - Raja ejected

for "mocking" apparently. Not a bright play with the Suns being shorthanded. I'm taking back that game ball.

And now the announcers are saying D'Antoni's looking for the momentum tech too. Personally, I'd prefer the Suns get their momentum by putting points on the scoreboard.

by TexSUN on Apr 1, 2008 8:33 PM MDT 0 recs