Gameday Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 10:48 AM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Update: Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic is reporting that Amare Stoudemire will miss tonight's game with stiffness in his recently-scoped right knee. Boris Diaw will start in his place. Let's hope those ankles are better! Thanks, whatisboxhappening, for the head's up.

	vs.
1-1		1-1
6:00 PM Mountain / 8:00 PM Eastern
TV: NBATV, FSN AZ HD
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Larry Hughes
Raja Bell	SG	Daniel Gibson
Grant Hill	SF	LeBron James
Shawn Marion	PF	Drew Gooden
Amare Stoudemire	C	Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Since I am sure everyone is as eager as I am to put the stench of Friday night's game behind us, I am putting up the game day thread a little early this time. The Suns will take on the Cavaliers in what will hopefully be a game worthy of Jerry Colangelo's Ring of Honor induction ceremony. The Suns swept both meetings with the Cavaliers last season. The first featured Steve Nash's four-point, 21-assist, one turnover outing, and ended in a 19-point victory for the Suns. The second featured a 23-point, 15-assist, and no turnover performance from Steve, and ended in a 15-point Suns victory. Since the first two games of the present season have been marked by a greater than normal number of turnovers, maybe this is a good matchup for the Suns' MVP to get going, and get the team in sync again.

The Cavaliers have split their two games thus far, getting hammered by the Mavericks in their season opener, and slipping past the Knicks in the next one. This will be their first road game of the season. They are still without Anderson Varejao, with whom they have yet to reach an agreement on a new contract, but they do finally have Sasha Pavlovic back, and it is possible he will play in this game. For the Suns, the key first and foremost will be to play with energy and heart. Rebounding, moving the ball, hustling on defense, and running the floor are all evidence of this. They'll also need to keep a lid on LeBron James, as well as Drew Gooden. Zydrunas Ilgauskas can hurt the Suns with size and shooting, but he's also the type of center the Suns can run off the floor if they are faithful to their running game. Another factor may be the rash of ankle and other injuries currently affecting several Suns players, including Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, and Brian Skinner. On paper (and health willing), the Suns should be able to take this one, but there is no way I'm going to make another prediction after messing up so badly last time. Sadly, I will not be able to watch as I am still out of town and do not have access to NBATV from here. However, JSun will once again be attending the game live, and he will post a recap when he gets back.

And now a brief reminder of how the Suns can play against this team when the effort (and health) is there:

Poll

Predict the outcome:

Suns win in a blowout

2 votes

Suns win in a close game

3 votes

Cavaliers win in a close game

0 votes

Cavaliers win in a blowout

1 votes

6 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

No Amare tonight?

I really hope his knee is just sore....and nothing really serious...

by whatisboxhappening on Nov 4, 2007 5:37 PM MST reply actions

Looks like

Our defense is playing much better now that we've settled down.

As I say that, we allow three offensive rebounds. Yay.

Barbosa's shooting too quick, not looking for opportunities. Great job getting to the basket, though.

We're shooting 39%. Yikes. Diaw looking good with a jumper.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 6:35 PM MST reply actions

Skinner

just tried to front Z.

That did not go well.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 6:42 PM MST reply actions

Just peeked in at the boxscore

Looks like it's up to Steve and Boris on the offensive end so far. Those two = 5-of-8. Everyone else = not so great. (LB might end up with a good night though).

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 6:44 PM MST reply actions

Barbosa

is having the same problems as he has in the last few games.

He drives, and there's a double team, and he either stops and resets, or puts up a bad shot. He's not working to produce a shot for someone else.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 6:47 PM MST reply actions

inside-out-in

Nash to Diaw to Marion. That's Suns basketball.

Hill keeps missing a bunch of layups. Yikes.

Also, Shawn Marion is playing out of his mind so far this season.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 7:01 PM MST reply actions

God

God does not want Grant Hill to hit three-pointers. I suggest we heed His word.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 7:02 PM MST reply actions

Wide open cutter

and LeBron got in the way to intercept.

The shots just will. Not. Fall.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 7:03 PM MST reply actions

Suns allowed

9 offensive rebounds in the first half.

First. Half.

Gooden's got a double double, Z's got 5 offensive rebounds. Suns shot 38%.

Not good at all.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 7:08 PM MST reply actions

the wife

has hijacked the dvr-tv.
will follow up later with second half thoughts.

I'm sure the four of you that will read this will be riveted.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 7:17 PM MST reply actions

On the road

So I am in a hotel room in Jacksonville, FL and not able to watch this game :(

Following the blog is much better then the running tally on NBA.com.

Keep it coming!

by Seth Pollack on Nov 4, 2007 7:44 PM MST reply actions

Me either.

I'm in the same boat as you, srp. Away from home and no access to NBATV, and for some unknown reason, NBA.com doesn't even have this game available on the broadband league pass, even though league pass customers normally have access to NBATV. I wouldn't have been able to watch it live anyway, but at least I could have come back and watched it later tonight, and checked in from time to time during the game. Oh well... At the moment, looks like the Suns are leading it in the third, despite the above mentioned deficiencies from sunofa. LeBron is 8-20; must be doing something right on defense at least. Nash 8-13/8 assists, Marion 6-12 and hitting the glass as usual, Diaw 5-10 and leading the team in +/-, and given where Raja was at during my earlier check of the boxscore, looks like maybe his shots have started falling as well. Gotta run again, but hopefully JSun can give us a better account when he gets back.

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 8:06 PM MST up reply actions

I should go watch "Knocked Up"

more often. God, that movie's funny.

Okay, so we've only allowed 3 more offensive rebounds.

We're also shooting 46% from the field, now

Nash has 26 and 13. Funny how much better we are when he plays better.

I'm back for the last 4:48 here.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:29 PM MST reply actions

i don't know

what the docs injected into Steve Nash's back, but he's back in action.

He looks back to form.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:30 PM MST reply actions

Boris Diaw

is going after boards, getting low. He's adapting to the C spot.

Grant Hill has played badly tonight. No joke.

Nash apparently had 20 in the second half.

Majerle mentions that the Suns need to work on defensive assignments on the pick and roll.

Matrix, double double. Again.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:35 PM MST reply actions

when this team rebounds

they're great. Point blank.

I'm going to go back and watch the rest of the tape, but it really looks like the Suns are back to form. Maybe this was the wake up game for the guys.

Also, Cleveland kind of sucks, though Z is playing better.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:37 PM MST reply actions

103-92

Grant Hill looks mad at himself coming off the court.

Nash: 30 and 10.

Also, dramatically reduced turnovers. PHX 9 CLE 18.

That's Suns Basketball. And without Amare.

Feelin' good.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:41 PM MST reply actions

A Waaay Better Game than the Past Two

Suns did what I've been yearning them to do, push the ball up the court to attack the basket. Not hoisting up bad shots, but using their quick passing ability to hit the rim fast and hard. Plus they won on a night without STAT and in honor of the Godfather, Don Colangelo.

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Nov 4, 2007 8:46 PM MST reply actions

interesting note

watching the replay

it's 47-45, 8:35 in the third, and the Cavs make their 14th turnover.

That means that they only turn the ball over 4 more times, yet this is where the Suns make their move and take the lead.

Bizarre.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:46 PM MST reply actions

Diaw

with the ball, driving to the basket and drawing the foul!

Seriously.

Diaw was +14.

Diaw actually showed post moves.

I'm stunned. Seriously. Diaw looks great.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 8:55 PM MST reply actions

cool!!

Great to hear this, it's my opinion, as many others, he sure has the skill to be GREAT, just has to have the discipline and desire. Thanks for posting

by jasonsuns1 on Nov 4, 2007 9:24 PM MST up reply actions

Scoring

suns scored 38 in the first half.

they scored 31 in the 3rd quarter.

Coach D must have had some choice words.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:09 PM MST reply actions

Threes

Suns were 5 for 21. We either need to shoot better or less.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:13 PM MST reply actions

less I think...

by jasonsuns1 on Nov 4, 2007 9:25 PM MST up reply actions

In a shocking development

there is no one better in the NBA right now at getting to the basket and scoring than LeBron James. Not Wade (though it's close, he can't finish as well). Not Kobe. The man just slices and jams.

Skinner is going to give us great production this year.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:17 PM MST reply actions

great to hear...

on Skinner :-)

I live in Dallas, can't get many games on tv, my verizon fios doesn't have nbalp (league pass), looks like I'm going to have to get the sling media after all. Great to get win 2! I was watching Dallas play for 10 minutes the other day, and I hate watching them, but the way they attack on defense (trying to block shots and get rebounds), OMG, it's really something. Wish we had that.

by jasonsuns1 on Nov 4, 2007 9:28 PM MST up reply actions

Fun stuff

Love the running commentary, sunofa! It sure beats watch the ESPN ticker! Glad to see the Suns won!

by Sunny on Nov 4, 2007 9:28 PM MST up reply actions

On Skinner

I am sooo glad he is doing well. Hopefully he won't burn out like the other back-up big men we've had. Love his beard!

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Nov 4, 2007 10:29 PM MST up reply actions

You wanna know how much better

Nash was feeling tonight? He played smothering defense on Boobie. 6 points, 4 turnovers. Booyah. That's MVP, baby.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:26 PM MST reply actions

cool!

Thanks for posting..

by jasonsuns1 on Nov 4, 2007 9:29 PM MST up reply actions

Majerle was right

there's got to be better defense on the pick and roll. Both Hill and Diaw had problems on the switch. We could have problems with that against teams with good small guards and small forwards (good thing there's only 500 of them).

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:32 PM MST reply actions

Um

The Lakers are up 7 on the Jazz.

Someone please tell me what the hell is happening?

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 4, 2007 9:45 PM MST reply actions

They're not as bad as Kobe thinks?

Seriously, while I don't think the Lakers are ready for the top tier yet, I have always believed they are much better than Kobe gives them credit for, at least when they play as a team instead of as Kobe+4 guys standing around watching. They're normally not matched well against the Suns because in the past they haven't had an answer for LB (and because Kobe's ego slows them down). But when they're healthy and playing the "right" way, they're not nearly as awful as their GM (Kobe) thinks.

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 10:06 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, why?

I've always wondered how the rest of the pee-shirt wearing Fakers can deal with Kobe. He's constantly disrespecting them by asking for a trade and harping about the situation on the court. It seems like one of those bad marriages where one is abusive toward the other, but the latter doesn't have the will to stand up or refuse to tolerate the other.

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Nov 4, 2007 10:32 PM MST up reply actions

I think we're kind of saying the same thing

That was kind of my point. When Kobe tables his ego, and plays as though he's part of the team instead of the only guy on the floor (very rarely, admittedly), the rest of the Lakers actually don't look that bad. To hear Kobe talk about it, they're D-league level. I just meant that while they probably aren't championship level, they're not all scrap heap material either, and if Kobe would actually try to lead his teammates instead of throwing them under the bus, he might find out that what he's looking for is right there in LA.

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 10:37 PM MST up reply actions

Sounds like the game went well

JSun's postgame wrapup should be much less "depressing" this time. :)

by TexSUN on Nov 4, 2007 10:09 PM MST reply actions

Much improved

well, at least they were in the 2nd half. Decided to get tickets from Ticket Exchange today to see Jerry C go into the Ring of Honor in person. It's always nice to see so many former players all in one setting.

The first half of the game was almost as bad as the entire Laker game Fri. night and there were same late and/or questionable calls as well. After half-time which lasted forever due to the Ring of Honor festivities) they seemed to be a different team. Thank goodness as I was beginning to think I was a jinx and shouldn't go see them in person any time soon as the last 3 games I attended (Game 5 vs. Spurs last post-season), preseason game vs. New Orleans and the home opener vs. LA all ended in losses.

I hadn't heard that Amare wouldn't be playing until he was not introduced in the starting lineup. Boris seemed to get better as the game went along although there were a couple of times the crowd groaned as he would be right there at the basket and then would pass the ball. Raja still seems to be in a shooting slump but got a couple of threes in a row I think.

All in all, once they started playing well the Cavs seemed to run out of gas. I love it when the Suns do that to teams.

by TwinnerA on Nov 4, 2007 10:30 PM MST reply actions