Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 4:00 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Phoenix Suns	vs.	Minnesota Timberwolves
27-12		5-32
7:00 PM Mountain / 9:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Sebastian Telfair
Raja Bell	SG	Marko Jaric
Shawn Marion	SF	Rashad McCants
Boris Diaw	PF	Ryan Gomes
Amare Stoudemire	C	Al Jefferson

As nice as it was to get a win over the Lakers last night, in the words of Shawn Marion:

"This win won't mean nothing if we don't go out and win tomorrow."

In other words, let's don't have a repeat of what happened last time the Suns faced the Timberwolves.

As I'm sure you have not forgotten, the Suns came into Minnesota at the end of a long road trip in December, and laid an ostrich-sized egg. Tired legs no doubt played a role, but it was the 19 offensive rebounds allowed by the Suns that did them in more than anything else. Al Jefferson went off for 32 points and 20 rebounds, and the Timberwolves as a team out-rebounded the Suns 55-33. The Suns only lost the game by seven points, so you'd have to think with a bit better work on the boards, this would have been in the win column, and the Lakers would not have enjoyed a couple of days at the top of the West standings. Of course, rebounding woes is a recurring theme this season, as it has been for the past three years. So, maybe another key is just to shoot better than the 46% they managed that night. Either or both should help tremendously.

As usual, live blogging will start in the comments of this post at tipoff.

Some highlights from last February:

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Comments

hmmm...

this looks like the correct spot for blogging for tonights game...

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 18, 2008 7:01 PM MST reply actions

LOL

Out of curiosity, where did you end up last night?

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:14 PM MST up reply actions

I saw the suns were doing really well

up by 20, so I just went to work coding, got a new customer, have more to do than time...I'll be on this site less and less over the next 5 weeks...

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 18, 2008 8:45 PM MST up reply actions

Game on!

Suns win the tip, and after working at it a bit, Nash gets the ball to Amare for the easy two. Timberwolves waste no time answering. 2-2.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:13 PM MST reply actions

Q1 9:29 - Nash with the three

...puts the Suns back on top after the early Wolves lead. Amare has already enticed a foul out of Al Jefferson.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:17 PM MST reply actions

Q1 7:58 - D'oh!

Not sure what Amare was thinking on that, maybe looking for the pass? But ended up losing it, and Gomes hits a three on the other end. Amare redeems himself to put the Suns back on top.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:20 PM MST reply actions

Q1 6:45 - Back and forth

Back and forth in the early going. Raja at the line to once again restore the lead at 15-14.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:21 PM MST reply actions

Q1 5:55 - Telfair

Not many point guards look small next to Nash, but Telfair is one of them. Nash gets away from him for the jumper.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:24 PM MST reply actions

Q1 4:51 - The Rhino is in

That has to be one of the worst nicknames in the league.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:27 PM MST reply actions

Q1 3:51 - Nash vs. Telfair

Almost UNfair. Nash burns Telfair again, to move the Suns up by four. 24-20, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions

Q1 3:05 - Too much power

Jefferson powers over everyone to put it in with the foul. Not sure who that was on.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:31 PM MST reply actions

Q1 2:49 - Minutes for D.J.!

Wow... Checking my windows for flying pigs.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:33 PM MST reply actions

Q1 00:09.2 - Maybe that's why they're 5-32

Rashad McCants with the silly blocking foul gives the Suns back the ball with nine left.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:39 PM MST reply actions

After one

Wolves lead 32-28. Steve Nash is 5-5, with 13 points. He's the only Sun to break double-digits so far. Wolves tag-team of McCants and Jefferson is killing us. They have 12 and 10 points respectively. Suns shooting 56%, Wolves 58%. Difference would seem to be turnovers, four for the Suns vs. none for the Twolves.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:41 PM MST reply actions

Q2 10:19 - Nice steal by DJ

...leads to the third foul on Gomes.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:43 PM MST reply actions

Q2 8:20 - Kind of got lucky on that one

LB hits a three under a bit of duress.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:46 PM MST reply actions

Q2 7:27 - Diaw gets clobbered

Get mad, Boris!

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:50 PM MST reply actions

Q2 6:39 - Tied at last

Nash back in, LB for three, Suns tie it at 41 each.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:52 PM MST reply actions

Q2 6:31 - Back on top

...courtesy of the Matrix three.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:55 PM MST reply actions

Q2 5:12 - No, he meant to do that

Rejected? Naw... that was a pass from Marion to LB for the three. Suns up 47-43.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:56 PM MST reply actions

Q2 4:30 - Amare crushes one

...off the really nice bounce pass from Nash. Suns looking more like the Suns now.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:58 PM MST reply actions

Q2 3:41 - Amare II

Saves a hopeless cause with the offensive rebound that catches the TWolves off guard, and ends up with the wide-open dunk.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 7:58 PM MST reply actions

Q2 3:06 - Another three for the Matrix

...gives the Suns the double-digit lead at 54-43.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:01 PM MST reply actions

Q2 00:32 - Suns break 60

...on Nash's two free throws.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions

At the half

Nice close to the half by the Suns, as they take a 63-49 lead into halftime thanks to getting a stop on the TWolves' last possession, and Diaw hitting a three with a couple of seconds to go.

Not a lot to complain about. Suns are shooting 62%, TWolves 45%. Suns have 21 rebounds to the Wolves' 15. Just three offensive rebounds so far by the Wolves. The foul trouble from Rashad McCants in conjunction with Nash re-entering the game helped point the Suns on a run. The Suns outscored the Wolves 35-17 in the second quarter. Nash has yet to miss a shot, has 15 points and 9 assists. Amare has 13 and five rebounds. Not a lot in the boxscore from DJ's brief appearance, but he did get one really nice steal.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:14 PM MST reply actions

Q3 7:55 - Nice defense

...forces the shot clock violation. Suns are up to an 18-point lead after Bell makes a jumper on the other end. 73-55, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:30 PM MST reply actions

Q3 6:26 - Bogus call?

Didn't see much of a foul there, but Amare picks up his third.

..Amare gets revenge on the other end with a slam.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:35 PM MST reply actions

Q2 5:07 - Marion again

I guess we'd call this a double-Benjamin? Suns now lead by 20 at 80-60.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:36 PM MST reply actions

Sorry

but the Double Benjamin(TM) is only awarded to 20 dimes.

Orangutans are this year's Lemurs

by Seth Pollack on Jan 18, 2008 9:59 PM MST up reply actions

I'm hungry

and i want some Strawberry

by jacksonian on Jan 18, 2008 8:38 PM MST reply actions

Q2 4:22 - Just showing off now

Suns have turned on the jets in the third. This is what 27-11 teams are supposed to do to 5-32 teams.

Really nice fast break that last time down. Lots of unselfishness, and the Suns look like they're having fun. Might get to see DJ again if this keeps up. 84-60.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:38 PM MST reply actions

Q2 3:33 - Speaking of jets...

...LB gets inside for the layup.

...Craig Smith stops the bleeding for the Wolves on the other end.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:39 PM MST reply actions

Q2 2:37 - Marion

Not a huge night in the boxscore for the Matrix, but that last possession was a good example of how he's contributing under the radar. Goes for a steal, misses, but still makes it back to the play in time to grab the rebound. Then zips around all over the place on the other end, moving without the ball. Finally, receives the pass and draws the foul. I think the Wolves just couldn't keep up with him on that play.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:42 PM MST reply actions

Q2, Q3, what's the difference

Geez, my brain has left the building I guess. The last, oh four comments or so should have been headed with Q3 not Q2. Guess the Suns were just playing so much like they did in the second quarter that I couldn't tell the difference?

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:44 PM MST reply actions

Q3 2:04 - DJ Part 2

DJ is back in, and with a 23-point lead, if the Suns can hang onto it without Nash, he should get a nice long run here.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:45 PM MST reply actions

wow

nice to see the suns ahead like this :-)

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 18, 2008 8:46 PM MST reply actions

Q3 00:58 - Marion shows DJ how to shoot threes

DJ clangs a three attempt off the front rim, but Marion ends up with the rebound and shows him how to do it.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:46 PM MST reply actions

After three

The Suns lead 91-72 after three. Steve Nash still has a perfect shooting night going with 6-6 overall, 1-1 from three, 4-4 free throws. Oh, and he has 12 assists with just one turnover. 17 points on 6 shots sounds POG-worthy to me.

Amare is rapidly approaching a double-double as well with 19 and 8 so far. Raja Bell and Shawn Marion are both 6-of-10, and Marion has gone 4-7 from three. LB has a good shooting night of his own at 6-11, and 3-4 from three.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions

Q4 11:30 - Speaking of three

...DJ just hit one to open the fourth.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions

Q4 10:13 - Chaos reigns

Double techs on Antoine Walker and Raja.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 8:55 PM MST reply actions

how does

DJ look out on the floor. From the few minutes that hes played does it look like dantoni will actually use him as a role player or is he just screwin around because its minnesota.

by jacksonian on Jan 18, 2008 9:00 PM MST reply actions

Q4 8:17 - Jefferson

...puts the move on Skinner. Suns lead by 20 after Jefferson misses the free throw.

Not sure why, but Nash and Amare are back in the game. Just extra practice or .... ?

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:01 PM MST reply actions

no

he just wants to be the hornets by margin of victory for the day

by jacksonian on Jan 18, 2008 9:03 PM MST up reply actions

and by be i mean beat

by jacksonian on Jan 18, 2008 9:03 PM MST reply actions

Nice game

Good to see the Suns in a blow out

by Dunk it Boris on Jan 18, 2008 9:08 PM MST reply actions

Q4 5:24 - Parade of victory cigars begins

Sean Marks, Banks are in. So is DJ, but I guess he can't really be considered a "victory cigar" in this game.

Sean Marks just made a near-three. Banks has a brick and a blown layup so far.

...and a made three as I was typing this.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:09 PM MST reply actions

Banks

I think DJ might be taking any minutes he might have had, but then he makes the 3 of course

by Dunk it Boris on Jan 18, 2008 9:09 PM MST reply actions

Q4 2:58 - Nice hustle by DJ

Didn't get that rebound, but that kind of hustle might get him some more minutes.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:10 PM MST reply actions

Agreed

He's shown some good hustle a few times tonight

by Dunk it Boris on Jan 18, 2008 9:11 PM MST up reply actions

Q4 2:30 - DJ still needs to work on that jumper

Maybe partly due to a case of rookie yips, but that last badly-missed three puts him at 1-6.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:12 PM MST reply actions

First time he's shot in a real game

Not to make excuses but it is tonight marks the first real minutes in how long. Anyway, I think at this point the D is what he can really contribute.

by Dunk it Boris on Jan 18, 2008 9:14 PM MST up reply actions

True

The fact he hadn't really played meaningful minutes in a game all season showed in more than just missed shots. It also seemed like the other Suns didn't really know how to involve him in the offense (plus he wasn't on the floor at the same time as Nash at all if I remember correctly). He was, however, aggressive on both ends of the floor when the opportunity was there. Hopefully, he'll get some more opportunities. Sounds like he's been working hard in practice.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:28 PM MST up reply actions

Q4 2:23 - Everyone chilling out

...on the bench now. The starters and the game are both on ice.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:13 PM MST reply actions

Q4 1:04 - All victory cigars are in now

Suns will close this one out with a lineup of Banks, DJ, Pike, Marks, and Skinner.

Lead is now 115-94.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:15 PM MST reply actions

Q4 00:34 - Scrubs playing hard

Nice to see everyone still hustling.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:17 PM MST reply actions

Scrubs

Nice to see them in period. Too many close games where we should see blow-outs this year

by Dunk it Boris on Jan 18, 2008 9:18 PM MST up reply actions

And that's the game

Final score 115-95. Steve Nash AKA POG played 28 minutes and had 17 points, 13 assists, one turnover, and no missed shots. All 11 available players took the floor, and everyone scored except Pike. Nice to see the Suns take care of business early this time.

Thanks everyone who followed the live blog. Recap coming up shortly.

by TexSUN on Jan 18, 2008 9:22 PM MST reply actions