Game Thread: Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz

by Dan on Feb 3, 2007 9:03 AM MST in Suns News

The Suns put to rest one demon. They get to fight another one tonight. Their record is now 1-6 against Dallas, San Antonio and Utah. But again, even if they win, people will still bring it up. Does 0-5 or 1-6 really look that much better than 2-7? I don't think it does. What I look at is the number of wins against those three teams during their 34-3 run. During that streak, they are 1-1 against the top teams in the West. And the loss was a last second shot by Dirk Nowitzki. If they win tonight they'll be 2-1 during that streak.

Carlos Boozer is out for 4-6 weeks with a broken leg for the Jazz. But the Suns are missing Kurt Thomas and probably will not play Raja Bell tonight. Bell has a sore knee that doesn't appear to have any structural problems but that is still hurting. Steve Nash also has a sore shoulder but that probably will not stop him from playing.

The keys to tonight's game:

Don't let Kirilenko get going. He's a wily player and seems to be everywhere at once - kind of like Shawn Marion. if he starts shooting well, the Suns could be in for a fight.
Box out Matt Harpring. Harpring seems to get tons of rebounds against the Suns. I'm not sure who will be guarding him but whoever it is should make sure he doesn't become a rebounding machine.
Keep Amare in the game. I don't think there is really anyone on Utah who can guard Amare Stoudemire. After his monster game against the Spurs, the Suns should see if they can keep his confidence up by getting the ball into him when in the paint.

The Suns should be able to beat this team easily. The past two games they played the Jazz, it was close. And that was before the Suns gelled. The Suns should be able to keep the Jazz running and tire them out by the 3rd quarter. More analysis after the game.

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Exterminatus Jazz

The Suns have got to go into this game like friggen Spec Ops troops. Cold blooded and professional. We come into this game with the intent of crushing the Jazz mind, body and soul then we'll have a easy W. The Suns cant waltz into this game underestimating the Jazz. We gotta crush their resolve from the get go. With Bell probably out Jones and especially Banks have got to prove their worth. Cause with LB starting and Kurt still out our bench has got to come into the game with a gung-ho attitude. This should be a close match even with Boozer out, but the Suns run em out of the Arena, if only they play like the Pro's from Dover they are.

by Turambar on Feb 3, 2007 3:26 PM MST 0 recs

please

don't be too hard on my boy Boris in your post-game comments...

by Miss Gossip on Feb 3, 2007 9:51 PM MST 0 recs

Don't worry...

It's not Boris' fault. Sure he missed three crucial free-throws, but the team didn't play well at the beginning of the game. That wasn't Boris fault.

by Dan on Feb 4, 2007 8:01 AM MST up 0 recs

Well Said

Plus, one must not forget, the Matrix was very much off last night. Should Marion been his usual double -double self we woulda have won. But as Dan said the team as a whole is to blame. Honestly i cant understand why they dont come into big games like this with some kinda killer instinct. On another note as well though Bell was out as was Kurt i was thrilled to read James Jones putting up some very nice points off the bench. And (gasp) Marcus Banks actually did some good for the team last night, maybe, just maybe he'll become halfway decent yet. Overall though i'd have to say i wasnt pissed at the loss, we still havent been blown out yet this season. I just want my boys to really step up their game against big opponents.

by Turambar on Feb 4, 2007 8:16 AM MST up 0 recs