Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. New Jersey Nets

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 2:47 PM MST in Game Coverage Comment 56 comments

Phoenix Suns	vs.	New Jersey Nets
28-12		18-21
6:00 PM Mountain / 8:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBATV High Def
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Jason Kidd
Raja Bell	SG	Vince Carter
Shawn Marion	SF	Richard Jefferson
Boris Diaw	PF	Sean Williams
Amare Stoudemire	C	Josh Boone

The Suns take on the New Jersey Nets at home tonight. The last time these two teams were seen on the same floor together, they combined for 318 points in one of the two double-overtime classics involving the Suns last season. With Grant Hill still recovering from his appendectomy, the Suns will be starting the same five players that took the floor in that game a little over a year ago. The Nets starting lineup will look a little different, with Sean Williams now starting ahead of Jason Collins, and Josh Boone starting for the injured Nenad Krstic. But the two stars from that evening should both be present and accounted for. Steve Nash and Jason Kidd combined for 80 points and 27 assists that night. Kidd also tied Wild Chamberlain for third most triple-doubles, adding 14 rebounds. Nash got his 42 points on a 16-of-25 shooting night that included 6-of-7 three pointers. More of the same tonight? Well, the basketball fan in me would love it, but the Suns fan in me would rather the game look more like the one two nights ago. With the Suns facing a four game road trip East, perhaps a good old-fashioned 48-minute affair would be best. Still, the Suns tend to bring out the best in the Nets, so a close, competitive nail-biter seems likely.

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Game on

Nets win the tip. Jefferson gets the miss. Nash (barely) gets the rebound.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 10:52 - Lids on the baskets

...well, until Jason Kidd found Sean Williams as I was typing that. Suns are still looking for their first score as Raja Bell misses a three. 2-0, Nets.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 9:45 - And the first Suns score of the night...

...goes to Diaw! On a dunk. Where's "Dunk it Boris" tonight?

..Amare gets a dunk of his own to put the Suns up by two. 4-2, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 8:55 - Amare with the spin

...for the and-1. 7-4, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 8:18 - Raja finally finds three

10-6, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:18 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 6:41 - Nice defense...

...to save the possession as Diaw deflects and Raja steals. Nash ends up with two. 16-10, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 5:10 - That works better when Nash throws it

Wow.. Wild alley-oop attempt between LB and Marion. You know a pass is off when even the Matrix can't reach it.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 3:52 - Brick fest

...or maybe just good defense.

But as I say that, Skinner gets a Marion-like dunk off the fast break.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 3:17 - Double digits

Suns up by 10 off the Nash three. 24-14.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 1:18 - DJ gets the call again

Looks like Mike D'Antoni is going to stick with DJ as the eighth man in Hill's absence. He just entered the game. Suns will close the fourth with LB, DJ, Bell, Diaw, and Skinner.

DJ picks up an assist right away on the Diaw jumper.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 00:25 - Go Boris!

Nice moves ending in the hook shot. Looks like this is a "good game" night for him.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 00.3 - Beep beep!

With a couple of seconds left, LB gets all the way down the floor and gets fouled on the way up.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After one

Suns lead 35-20 after one. Guess my prediction of a close game isn't holding so far. Suns are shooting 56.5%, Nets 42.1%. Suns are also out-rebounding the Nets 12-8. Suns are 4-8 from three, and the Nets are 0-3.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 11:32 - Something from nothing

LB beats the shot clock for a three. Nachbar gets a three of his own. 38-23, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 9:56 - Second unit really doing well

...if you can really call it a "second unit" with two starters on the floor. But the lineup of Diaw, Skinner, Bell, DJ, and LB is really doing well, especially in hustling for rebounds.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 6:56 - Starters back in

The second unit held the fort very well with Nash, Amare, and Marion on the bench. All three are back in now.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why...

...I can't keep my quarters straight lately. LOL.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q2 5:37 - Nets are taking it inside

...and as a result are on a run. Lead down to 11 at 45-34.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 5:07 - Foul trouble for the Matrix

Out with his third, after picking up the loose ball foul while going for a rebound. Mike D. goes with the three-guard lineup. Gets off to a good start with the Nash three to bring the lead back to 14. 48-34, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 6:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 2:47 - Fortunately that three went...

That was such a nice around-the-back pass from Nash, it would have been a shame if it hadn't been counted as an assist. Raja for three (again). Suns up 54-36.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 1:33 - Foul Trouble II

This time LB. More playing time for DJ looks like. Actually, I kind of like this. A chance to see DJ on the floor with Nash.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 00:36 - Nice hustle by DJ...

...trying to grab that rebound on its way out of bounds. Didn't work, but right idea.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

At the half

Suns up 56-45 at the half. The Suns shooting is down to 43.8%, and the Nets are up to 48.6%. But the Suns have 8 three-pointers, while the Nets just have one. The Suns still have a slight edge on the boards, 23-21. Boris Diaw could possibly end up with a triple-double if he keeps it up. He's at 8 points, 4 assists, 7 rebounds so far. I'm most impressed with how he's fighting for rebounds. He also has a couple of steals.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 11:27 - Well-timed three by Marion

...just as it looked like the Nets might bring it back to single-digits. Two by Boris expands the lead back to 15 at 61-46.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 9:58 - Fast and furious

To start the third. Early timeout for the Nets. 63-48, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 9:36 - D'oh!

Marion with the nice steal, but blows the layup with a bit of help from the Nets' defense.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 8:21 - Diaw gets the assist anyway

Had a nice one to Marion, but that got taken away with a foul call on Kidd. Gets it to Amare on the inbounds for the jumper.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 7:45 - Nets right back in it...

...but not for long. Nash and Amare team up to restore the double-digit lead at 67-56.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 6:18 - Amare crushes one

Over Sean Williams for the dunk and the foul.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 5:47 - Amare is killing people tonight!

Avoided the offensive foul on that, too.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 4:43 - Matrix takes over where Amare left off

Alley oop to Marion this time for another dunk and a ninth assist for Nash

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 3:48 - D'oh! II

Suns to sleep on defense that time. LB gets it back plus one with the three on the other end. 80-64, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 1:47 - D'oh! III

Nash fouls Kidd on a three. Should be three free throws coming up after the break.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

How's this for balance?

Nash, Diaw = 10 shots each
Bell, Marion = 12 shots each
Amare = 11

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 1:19 - DJ is back

...and draws a charge.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 00:45 - DJ with the defense

This time helps block a shot twice, then grabs the rebound. Bell's three on the other end opens the lead back to 16 at 87-71.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After three

Suns are up 89-73 after three. Looked like Jason Kidd might have hurt a knee or ankle when he slipped while chasing LB around on that last play.

The three ball continues to be the biggest difference in this game.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 11:21 - Go Boris! II

Nice spin move that time. A couple of games ago, I joked about how having a good outing every other game would be a huge step in the right direction for Boris. So far, looks like that's what he's doing. That would mean he's due for a subpar showing in the next game, but at least we get Grant Hill back for that one.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 10:43 - Lineup to start the fourth

Amare, Boris, Raja, DJ, LB. Same as the one that held the fort down so well in the second with Amare in place of skinner.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 9:47 - Horse shot by LB

Over the head

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:54 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 9:10 - Everyone spinning tonight

Amare, Boris, now Raja with a spin move. Seems to be working. 96-79, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 9:02 - Starters minus Raja

Raja and LB out, Nash and Marion in. So we get a look at maybe our "future Raja" in DJ playing with the other starters.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 7:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 7:27 - DJ with the steal

...for the second time tonight. Nice up and under on the previous possession too to get himself on the scoreboard.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

nice to see dj in again

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 20, 2008 8:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q4 6:09 - The "south paw" dunk

...so says Dan Majerle. Amare with the left.

100-79, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

cool

nice to see suns up by so much...I don't know how to say this....I've been watching football. I'm not a football fan, I never have been. But the district manager of my account is a huge cowboys fan, and I like the guy, he's cool. So, and being in Texas, I figure I'd give it a chance...and...I'm beginning to like it. I doubt I'll follow it super close, but the playoffs have been exciting and I have been following Dallas this season.

nba.com still has suns game score at 0 to 0
weird

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 20, 2008 8:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Try ESPN

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280120021

...and aren't the Cowboys out of the playoffs?

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

yep, but

I'm more watching to watch and see if I like it, so far, its ok, games go quicker than I thought. Big story with N.England being undefeated this season, many other great story lines....

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 21, 2008 12:33 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

my laptop is pretty hot,

I've had it on all day, need to turn it off for an hour, and I have to go take some pictures...

later

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 20, 2008 8:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 4:01 - Victory parade begins

Nash goes out with 13 points and 9 assists. LB takes his place. 105-85, Suns.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 2:30 - Ugly miss by Marion

...but I think we'll give him a pass. He's been kind of the unsung hero tonight, with five steals to go with this 16/11 double-double.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

hey

I read that the suns have beaten the nets at home (in phx) the last 13 years WOW!!!

and the streak continues

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 20, 2008 8:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 2:00 - Victory parade continues

Suns lineup now consists of Banks, LB, Pike, Marks, and DJ. Suns lead 109-88.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 1:18 - Late surge for Pike?

Two from the free throw line, and now a three from DJ's assist.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 00:44 - Volleyball?

Gotta love garbage time. Aimless batting around of the ball eventually ends in a turnover. 114-92, Suns...make that 116-92 after DJ closes out the Suns' scoring with a jumper.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:18 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

And that's the game

Final score 116-92. Not exactly the nail-biter I predicted, but like I said in the preview, that's what we want with a four-game road trip on the horizon. Good effort by Boris Diaw aka co-POG. Hopefully, he can keep it up from the bench once Grant Hill re-joins the lineup on Tuesday.

by TexSUN on Jan 20, 2008 8:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs