Suns End 2007 With Win Over Kings (117-102)
Without Ron Artest and Kevin Martin (not to mention Mike Bibby), the Kings managed to keep the Suns within arms reach until the fourth quarter. But ultimately, it was too much Amare Stoudemire, too much Leandro Barbosa, and too much Shawn Marion, as the Suns put six players in double-figures, and Amare had his third consecutive breakout game in (not coincidentally) the Suns' third consecutive win. Amare played big from the start tonight, ending up with 31 points, 17 rebounds, and several nice highlights.
When Amare wasn't killing the Kings in the paint, either Leandro Barbosa or Shawn Marion was killing them from the outside. Barbosa did most of his damage in the first half, going on one of his scoring barrages, including three three-pointers. He finished with 22 points. Marion, on the other hand, saved his best work for later in the game. He bounced back from a slow start to go 5-of-6 from three, and 10-of-16 overall for 25 points. With Amare, Shawn, and LB all on fire, the Suns weren't bothered too much by the not-so-great shooting from everyone else.
The Kings were led in scoring by Francisco Garcia, who had 30 points on 10-of-17 from the field. But they were led in spirit by Mikki Moore, whose hustle was infectious and played a huge role in keeping the Kings within striking distance. He had 20 points and 12 rebounds, but his biggest contribution was sheer energy. John Salmons also had a big night with 23 points and seven rebounds. In the end, though, it was just too much Suns firepower against a shorthanded Kings team, and the Suns wrapped up their final game of 2007 with a mark in the "W" column.
Player of the Game: Amare Stoudemire. The only blight on his line was missing six of his eleven free throws. Gives him something to work on in the new year I guess.
Runner-Up: Mikki Moore. (See above)
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I guess there's not much to say
Thoughts:
Nash seems to really be hurting and not playing all that well but the Suns still score 117. Not bad.
Every time Marion shoots that under the chin push the ball throw out the ass "jump" shot I want to just hide under the bed in embarrassment ....unless he makes 5 of 6.
Bell looked totally pissed after missing like 3 in a row in the 3rd qtr and then came out and made a few. Good sign?
LB in the 2nd was fun. Did you see that prayer he threw up - way up - over the defender that somehow dropped in? It was more like a moon launch then standard basketball trajectory.
Anyway - in the fourth the Suns D clamped down and put this poor undermanned injury riddled team out of its misery.
I would have sympathy for the Clips and Kings but as long as the "W's" still count they are useful roadkill on the journey towards the ring.
by Phoenix Stan on Dec 31, 2007 11:46 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

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