Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 1:14 PM MST in Game Coverage Comment 61 comments

Phoenix Suns	at	Los Angeles Clippers
26-11		10-23
8:30 PM Mountain / 10:30 PM Eastern
TV: My45 HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Sam Cassell
Raja Bell	SG	Quinton Ross
Shawn Marion	SF	Corey Maggette
Boris Diaw	PF	Al Thornton
Amare Stoudemire	C	Chris Kaman

The Suns look to complete a sweep of the Clippers in Los Angeles tonight, and re-take the Pacific lead back from the Lakers. The Clippers have been playing the top teams in the West close lately. They lost by six to San Antonio on January 6, and by a single point to Dallas on Saturday. In their last game against the Suns on December 28, the margin was six, and they should be healthier this time with Tim Thomas back and playing well. The Suns will be without Grant Hill, so they will be hoping to get another nice performance out of Boris Diaw, who had his first double-double in what seems like forever on Saturday. Above all, no looking ahead to Thursday! (Leave that to us). Clips Nation has the view from the Clippers side of things.

This deserves a repeat:

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Woot woot?

Seems like the past few weeks like we've been lacking in hopeful news about the Suns. Well it's time to get back on track and prepare for the playoffs. Perhaps tonight shall be the first step upon this long road. Let us hope so.
Expect STAT to have fun tonight and pray that Diaw continues being a man.

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jan 15, 2008 5:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

While we're waiting...

...check out this quiz in Paul Coro's latest blog entry:

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/14776

The answer to at least one of them is in the Player Day features from this past summer.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 5:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Game on

Suns are out to a 9-2 lead, mostly Amare.

Diaw just hit a three on a nice assist by Amare, Suns now up 12-2.

I'm going to live blog the first half, then see how tired I am. It's already nearly 10pm here.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 8:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 7:26 - Clippers wake up

The Clippers have gone on a 6-0 run since I sent that last comment. 12-8, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 4:06 - Amare with the steal!

...and of course, the score. 21-12, Suns

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 3:36 - Nobody home

Didn't catch who threw that, but nobody was home regardless. leads to the Clippers score on the other end, but LB doesn't waste time getting it back.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 8:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 00:45 - Clippers are closing well

Within one with under a minute to go.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 00:27 - Clips on top...

...but not for long. LB gets it back.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After one

Sam Cassell is on fire, and has brought the Clippers back from a double-digit deficit to take a one point lead after a quarter. LB couldn't get that last one back.

The Clippers have been flirting with beating one of the top teams for a good two weeks now. They're on a mission to get over the top tonight. Cassell already has 15 on 6-8 shooting with four assists. Maggette has 10. Nobody in double-digits for the Suns yet. Amare leads with 8. Clippers are shooting nearly 62%. That's your game so far.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 11:25 - Nice play by the Clippers

I didn't catch who did it, but one of the Clippers just made a steal, fell down and very patiently got it ahead to a teammate for the easy one. Clippers now lead 32-27 after they score again.

Banks has entered. Maybe he can help shut down Cassell.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 - Revenge of TT

Tim Thomas with the and-1. 35-31, Clippers after the free throw.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 7:28 - Restoring order?

Nash back in (finally)! Sure enough, Raja hits a three right away. Suns back within five at 34-39

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 5:57 - BIG three by Raja

Saves what looked like it was going to be a hopeless cause.

...Meanwhile, Amare just CRUSHED it while I was typing that. Suns back within two.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 4:15 - Awesome sequence by Amare!

Fights for and gets the rebound from first Nash's miss, then his own. Then bullets it to Marion for the easy one.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 3:27 - Recurring theme

Getting tired of typing "Amare" over here. Crushes another one. Actually, I'm kidding. I love typing "Amare". One of the easiest names on the team to touch-type.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

uh

Nash is a very good basketball player....

wow is he just a joy to watch play this game

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Phoenix Stan on Jan 15, 2008 9:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nash vs. Amare

I meant in terms of how easy the name was to type. I'm one of those people who type without looking at the keyboard. Even use all 10 fingers. :) It's easier to type "Amare" than it is to type "Nash", because it's easier to do the right pinky on the shift key than the left. Didn't mean that as a diss to Nash the person, just pointing out that Amare's name is easiest to type when you're trying to watch TV and man the keyboard at the same time.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

I didnt mean to respond to you. I was just commenting on the joys of Nash

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Phoenix Stan on Jan 15, 2008 10:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

LOL.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 11:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q2 2:25 - Boneheaded play of the night

...from the Clippers leads to the Suns re-taking the lead on Marion's three. 48-47, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 1:48 - OK, Boris...

...You already made your one three of the night.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 1:10 - That was a pass...I think.

Either Marion just shot the worst airball ever, or he intended it to be a pass. Luckily there was a receiver. Still no score, but at least it wasn't due to a turnover.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

At the half

Sam Cassell (who else) makes the buzzer-beater, and the Clippers will take a three-point lead into the half.

...or not.

Cassell didn't get it off in time. Clips still have the lead, though at 49-48.

Despite the Clips having the lead for most of the game so far, I can't help but get the feeling that one good run by the Suns would do it. Maybe that's just the homer in me talking, though. Just doesn't seem like there's a lot of intensity in this game (by either team really). Everyone looking ahead to Thursday I guess.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Paul Coro talks some smack

I forgot to mention this earlier when I posted the link to Paul Coro's latest blog entry. He's talking a bit of smack in that entry:

"Sure, the Clips are awful and the Suns are going for a 4-0 season sweep but it wasn't so pretty the last time Phoenix faced the Paper Clips."

LOL.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Since its break time

check out the Suns locker room

http://www.nba.com/suns/fans/locker_room_open.html

by emirem on Jan 15, 2008 9:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Missed it

Sorry, was getting ready for bed.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q3 9:05 - Ragged start to he second half

Score tied at 53. Shots not going for either team. Or defense is better for both teams?

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:54 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 8:30 - When Nash misses that shot...

...you know the offense is lagging.

Suns need to go back to Amare. Jumpers aren't going right now.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 7:41 - Raja would rather have the two

Gets fouled going to the basket and makes the layup, but the foul is before the shot so it's just a side-out.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 7:30 - Um...no

The Clippers announcers paraphrased: "The last memory the Suns have of the Clippers is struggling to beat them in that last game". Um, if that's really what the Suns were thinking, they wouldn't be playing this game with all the intensity of an All-Star game.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 9:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Albuquerque update

Alando Tucker had 26 points and eight rebounds in the Thunderbirds' loss to the 14ers today. He made three three-pointers (3-8), and 11-19 over all.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 4:02 - Clippers with all kind of confidence now

Leading by 10 after yet another Cassell make.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we shouldn't be too giddy

...about that win over the Nuggets last week. They just got beaten pretty soundly by Atlanta.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 2:39 - Really?!?!

Boris Diaw just got a technical apparently. Looking outside to see if that sound I just heard whooshing by my house was a pig flying by.

...nope, guess not. Would take Boris's "T" as a good sign were the Suns not down by 10 already. Ok, never mind. Any sign of passion from #3 is good.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Clippers announcers

...have got to be the most boring in the league. Even if I decide to hit the hay in a few minutes, I'm keeping this game on as background noise. These guys will lull you to sleep.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After three

Suns wait until the last possession to play defense. Nice on that last shot, though. Clippers lead by nine at 74-65. Suns scored just 17 points in the third, and the Clippers did 25. Not hard to figure out why the Clippers are winning this. They're out-shooting the Suns 55%-42%, and out-rebounding them by 11. Sam Cassell has gone 12-16. Chris Kaman has been quiet on the scoreboard, but is getting it done on the glass with 14 rebounds.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

gamethreads

just really wanted to say thanks for the game threads. i'm kinda new to this site and i don't live all that close to phx (henceforth i only see the nat'l TV games) but having the game threads is awesome. Gamecast on sportsline or espn aren't really enough. keep up the good work.

by jacksonian on Jan 15, 2008 10:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

You just talked me into staying up to finish this one. Exhausted, tired, falling asleep at the keyboard, but I can go eight more minutes. :)

Recap is coming tomorrow, though.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

And welcome, btw.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q4 10:00 - Interesting possession

And not in a good way. I watched Raja Bell on that one. He was calling for the ball while Diaw over-dribbled in the lane. Then he called again when Nash had it, and as Nash was putting up a desperation beat-the-shot clock shot, Raja shrugged his shoulders. Guess they just didn't see him on that one, and not sure he had as good a shot as he thought he did anyway.

Anyway, Suns have pulled within six while I was typing that, and trail now 70-76.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 8:08 - Nice steal

...on the inbounds after the timeout, but Amare fumbles it (maybe with some help from an uncalled foul?) on the other end.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 6:37 - Nash and Amare need to take over

..and yes, thanks announcers for reminding us that if the Clippers win it would give the Lakers the lead in the West. Actually, they already have it--by nature of the tiebreaker over the Suns. They would lose it again if the Suns come back to win.

Score update: 75-80, Clippers.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 5:40 - That was too good

Nash coming through in the clutch.

...at least on offense. Unfortunately, the Clips get it back (over Nash) on the other end.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 5:04 - Luck shot by Amare

Bounced about 15 times on the rim before creeping in.

Meanwhile, Cassell continues to keep pace, restoring the two-possession difference every time the Suns close it. Suns need a stop. Please.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 3:32 - Amare at the line

..after a wild and woolly possession that nearly ended in a steal had the hurl down the court not gone out of bounds.

Makes both to close back within three. 83-86, Clippers.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 2:38 - Cassell is too good tonight

Doing everything right to expand the lead to five again.

...make that four after Amare goes one of two from the line.

Announcers are pointing out the obvious that if the Suns could just stop Cassell, they might be able to steal this one.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 1:43 - I don't want Marion shooting threes...

...at this point in the game. Ugh. Of course, it was right that he shot it since he was wide open, but that just may have been the straw after the Clips turn it into a score on the other end.

Clips lead by eight, 92-84 with now 1:17 to go. Not feeling good about this one right now, but the Clips really deserve this, especially after coming oh so close so many times recently.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

the appendix

how big of a difference would g hill have made this game? Also, did LB just disappear after the fitsy or just have an off-night? Curse you missed jumpers!

by jacksonian on Jan 15, 2008 10:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 1:10 - I think that will do it

Foul in the backcourt sends Maggette to the line after the full court press idea backfires. The Suns have recovered from 10 point leads in under a minute before, but somehow this just doesn't have that feel to it. 94-84, Clips.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 10:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

and by fitsy i mean first

by jacksonian on Jan 15, 2008 10:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

I was going nuts trying to figure that one out. Thanks for the humor; we needed that. :)

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 11:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

WHY GOD WHY!!?!?!!?!?

I grow weary of seeing the Suns play down to such levels. I'm beginning to wonder if they even care anymore. How can we come out so lackluster against a team that fails at life day in and day out!??!!?

This team needs to screw their damned heads on right the hell now!!! We do not have the luxury to slug it out in a Conference that is stronger than ever. There is far too much potential on this Suns team, even without Hill, for them to be playing like this. Sure we are only a game out of first place now, but we all know they should be playing much much much better.

Damn I cant wait for the playoffs to get here. I'm tired of trying to figure out this friggen team!!!

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jan 15, 2008 11:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

And that's the game...

Once again the Suns get the dubious distinction of making a losing team's fans feel good about themselves a night. Final score 97-90.

Oh, and more glorious news--no matter what the Suns do in their Thursday game over the Lakers now, the Lakers will still lead the Pacific by nature of the tie breaker. Gag, choke, puke.

I changed my mind about the recap. Want the taste of this one out of my mouth ASAP, so posting a short and (not so) sweet one in a few. Thanks everyone who followed along.

by TexSUN on Jan 15, 2008 11:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

sure miss hill

between nash and bell 10 missed 3 pointers

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 15, 2008 11:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

sigh

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TEAM!!>!???!?!?!? It's like trying to pin done some mystery virus. You studying it and studying it and it just doesnt make any sense.

Do they even have the will to take it to the next level anymore?

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Jan 15, 2008 11:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm also

starting to wonder about this. What's so frustrating is they have the talent to be playing like the celtics are (games ahead of anyone else). And you see a game like the one vs Denver, and we begin to think, they're starting to get it together. But then they play like this.

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 16, 2008 6:53 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

great offensive rebound by diaw

ends up in a second shot 3pt by marion, good start, lakers aren't the same w/o bynum, amare should be able to do a lot, he should be driving to the hoop, not jump shots

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 17, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

there we go

amare heard me, he drives to hoop, scores and is fouled, 7-2!

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 17, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

21 - 12

looking really good, this laker team simply misses bynum like we'd miss amare or nash or marion,

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 17, 2008 9:08 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

horrible finish

l.b. playing without a brain, he is the direct reason we're not up by 8 instead of 4

Suns had an 8 pt lead with a few seconds left and at 5.0 seconds barbosa goes for the score instead of waiting 2-4 more seconds!! He's brainless, I love him, but he's brainless....alright...i've had time to cool off, he needs to improve (cross out he's brainless)

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 17, 2008 9:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs