Game Day Open Thread: Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 4:37 PM MST in Game Coverage Comment 67 comments

Phoenix Suns	vs.	Denver Nuggets
23-10		21-12
7:00 PM Mountain / 9:00 PM Eastern
TV: FSN AZ HD, NBA League Pass
Probable starters:
Steve Nash	PG	Anthony Carter
Raja Bell	SG	Allen Iverson
Grant Hill	SF	Carmelo Anthony
Shawn Marion	PF	Kenyon Martin
Amare Stoudemire	C	Marcus Camby

Win three, lose one. That's been the pattern for the Nuggets since Thanksgiving, and if it continues, it bodes well for the Suns. The Nuggets will be looking to build on a three-game winning streak as they face the Suns for the first time since the preseason. The Suns will be looking to put to rest the theory that they're having trouble beating the best of the West. Two high-paced, offensively-minded teams going at it should make for an entertaining shootout.

Let's do it again (without the injury, of course):

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Game on

Refs give the tip to Denver after Amare jumps the gun. Iverson immediately capitalizes, getting an early foul on Raja and making both free throws.

Amare gets the two back immediately on the other end.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 8:28 - Shootout

Looking good for that shootout so far. Suns lead 15-6. Four of the five starters are already on the board, and the Suns have gone 7-8 in the first three minutes.

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

Great start

Suns hit 7 of their first 8 shots.

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

as you said ;)

by SueB on Jan 7, 2008 7:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q1 7:46 - Raja's on there too now

Didn't take Raja Bell long to get on the board either. Suns are now 9-10 after Nash makes too.

Meanwhile, Kenyon Martin brings it back to 19-11 after the and-1.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 7:08 - Three for Amare too

Amare gets an and-1 of his own after the Suns finally miss.

Meanwhile, speaking of three, Marion has already hit two from behind the arc. Suns have a 14-point lead now at 25-11.

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

Could we get the elusive 50-pt quarter?

Maybe if they keep hitting every shot.

by SueB on Jan 7, 2008 7:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 5:24 - Foul trouble

Shawn goes out with two fouls. Too bad, because he was rolling (on both ends of the floor).

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

Q1 4:21 - Foul trouble II

Now Amare picks up his second. Suns now lead by 13 at 32-19 after the two makes by Iverson. (Which begs the question: Why was Amare guarding Iverson to begin with?)

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q1 3:39 - Two for two

Suns can't stop Iverson. Again. Fortunately, the Nuggets can't stop LB either, so they get it right back.

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

Q1 1:34 - Suns break 40.

Suns are up 41-28...make that 44-28 after the Nash three as I was typing this. Probably won't make 50, but it's going to be close.

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

Dumbest commercial ever

Kia car salesman dancing in the showroom to "Maniac". LOL.

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

I think it's sort of funny

Saw it a bunch of times the other night. Flashdance.

by SueB on Jan 7, 2008 7:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry to disagree

I side with tex on this one :-(

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 7, 2008 8:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you watching the game?

Or just remember the commercial from other shows?

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i remember the commercials

not watching

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 8, 2008 12:07 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

After one

Suns fall one short of tying their season-high for a quarter. They have 46. Meanwhile, the game has become a matter of whether or not the Suns can beat Allen Iverson, who is trying to win the game by himself (and not doing a bad job of it). Despite the 46-point quarter, the Suns only lead by 12 at 46-34. Iverson has 17 points already, has made 5-7 shots, and single-handedly got both Amare and Marion in foul trouble. As a result, he's gone 6-7 from the line too. The flip side, though, is that other Nuggets aren't getting involved. Carmelo Anthony is their second highest scorer so far with 6 on 3-7.

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

Q2 11:41 - Where was that at the end of the first?

Marcus Banks nails a three to open the second, giving the Suns a 49-34 lead. Too bad that three didn't come at the end of the first, though.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 10:38 - Too many offensive rebounds

Suns allow too many offensive rebounds on that possession and finally get burned.

Now, Hill draws a charge, so the Nuggets have a chance to close the gap a bit.

The Nuggets bring in their quintessential "energy guy", Eduardo Najera. I remember this guy from Dallas a few years ago. HUGE fan favorite here, and by "huge" I mean someone who could get the whole arena chanting his name (always wondered how that made some of the bigger stars on that team feel).

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

Q2 9:07 - Speaking of energy

Marcus Banks wants to play. Bringing major energy so far. Suns are now up by 18. Great start so far.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 8:35 - Rebounds wanted

Suns got a glimpse of a 20 point lead, but it doesn't take the Nuggets long to knock it back to 18. The Suns defend the free throw line well, but miss on the rebound. Ugh. Fortunately, the Nuggets can't capitalize, and Banks restores the 20+ lead.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:52 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 7:41 - Nice play by the bench

Diaw ad LB go back to the bench in favor of Amare and Nash. Huge, well-deserved ovation as they not only held down the fort but even expanded the lead.

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

Q2 6:53 - Fouls are killing us!

If the Nuggets come back and win this, the blame will be placed squarely on the Suns picking up fouls. I guess that's the "dark side" of putting in the extra effort on defense, especially against an ultra-aggressive team like the Nuggets. Amare picks up his three and heads back to the bench. Unfortunate, because Skinner has been in for awhile and was probably getting close to break time.

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

Q2 5:54 - Marion should have taken that three

I don't often say that, but he's been on fire tonight. After passing it up, the Suns end up not scoring.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 7:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 5:03 - See?

Marion passes up another three, ends up getting it back, and nails it. He's now 3-4 from behind the line, and the Nuggets seem willing to let him shoot it anyway.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 3:57 - The Matrix is killing 'em!

Make that 4-5 after he nails another one.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

wow

i wonder if marion reads this blog, I was typing that he has no offense

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 7, 2008 8:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q2 3:13 - Repeat

See above. 5-6. And I do believe that was a smile after he hit that last one.

Suns have a 70 point half now, to the Denver's 47.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q2 1:44 - Career high for Shawn...

...on three's they say. Career high tying anyway. 5-6 matches the Sacramento game.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets have started out a run to close within 15, but it doesn't last as Raja Bell picks up where Marion left off and nails a three of his own. 73-57 after the Nuggets answer on the other end.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

At the half

Brian Skinner nails a three (calmly I might add) at the buzzer. After some debate, looks like it's going to count. That gives the Suns a 78-point half and puts them up by 19 heading into the break.

Numbers that are good:

Suns, 59.6%, Nuggets 43.1%
Steve Nash: 8 assists
Marion: 21 points, 5-7 from three, 8-11 overall, not to mention nine rebounds
Boris Diaw: 5 assists
Grant Hill: 5-7 and 13 points
Marcus Banks: 2-2 from three, and lots of energetic defense that helped slow down the AI show
Brian Skinner for three! (For the second time in his career, his first being earlier this season on a similar buzzer-beating situation)
5 blocks as a team
5-5 from the free throw line
19 Assists to the Nuggets' 8
78 points, 19-point lead

Numbers that are bad:

Three fouls each for Hill, Marion, and Amare. No one on the Nuggets has more than two.
12 offensive rebounds by the Nuggets (mitigated a bit by six offensive rebounds by the Suns)
Allen Iverson: 21 points, but at least he's down to 6-12 now.

Stepping away for dessert break. Back for the second half.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:21 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 8:44 - Nice defense by the Suns

...gets the shot clock violation on the Nuggets.

Suns have opened up a 25 point lead at 88-63.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 6:28 - Um, ok.

Suns leave Anthony Carter WIDE OPEN on the three, so he gladly puts it in. Maybe by design, but it looked kind of weird nonetheless. Meanwhile, Amare's foul trouble continues into the second half as he picks up his fourth.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

wow!

this is the statement game from the suns vs a good western team I was looking for, wow!

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 7, 2008 8:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 6:02 - Can the Suns survive the foul trouble?

Grant Hill joins Amare on the bench with his fourth. Lead is 20, so it's not desperate yet.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 4:47 - Suns keep answering....

...every time it starts to look like the Nuggets are gaining life. Nash hits a three to bring the lead back to 19.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 3:47 - Nice defense by Skinner

Prevents what looked like the certain bucket by Anthony.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 2:53 - Nice steal by Nash!

...after Skinner restores the 20-point lead at the free throw line. Nash with the energy hustle steal, preventing a chance for Denver to get it back.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 2:32 - Oh come on Majerle!

Where's your team spirit? Denies that he's offering free drinks if the Suns score 100 by the end of the third quarter.

Which reminds me, that's another nice bar near the arena.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

majerle's

Is one of 3 places I hit to watch games when I'm in town, it was so strange last yr, go watch a few games in a 80% tv loaded Majerle's, or watch the spurs vs suns game there and not be able to get a table. Phx is so quiet (downtown) to watch most suns games, they only get up for a very few games a yr (in general).

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 8, 2008 12:10 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q3 1:47 - Nashless interlude in the third...

...so far, not as impressive as the Nashless interlude in the second. Still, with Grant Hill coming back in and immediately scoring, the Suns take it back to 18 and break the century mark at 101-83.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q3 00:10 - Denver on a run

Suns have hit a lull, and the Nuggets have gotten hot. The close the quarter on an 11-2 run to close it to 101-90.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:52 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

After three

Buzzer Beater II!

Just when it was looking like Denver could enter the fourth feeling good about their chances for a comeback, LB nails a three at the buzzer and opens it back up to 16. Suns now lead 106-90, and hopefully that three was as morale-sapping as it appeared to be.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 11:49 - Suns open the fourth with defense

Prevent the easy one under the basket to "steal" the opening possession.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 11:36 - Who shoots technicals...

...when Nash is on the bench this year? Guess that would be Grant Hill, who makes off of the three-second violation.

Meanwhile, Denver winds up with a steal but Iverson can't get past Banks and ends up launching something wild.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

sure is nice

to see banks getting used, he's always had the speed and energy to guard some great players

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 8, 2008 12:11 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q4 11:07 - Foul-a-palooza continues

Grant Hill gets his fifth which leads D'Antoni to sub in Diaw who also has five.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 8:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 10:21 - Momentum plays!

Amare with the emphatic block leads to huge rainbow three by LB that barely touched the net on its way in.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 8:41 - Timeout

At the timeout, the Suns are up 112-93. Doing a nice job of keeping 'em at arms length

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 8:09 - Nash+Banks

Looks like D'Antoni is going to reward Banks for his nice play tonight by letting him stay on the floor with Nash. He makes good on it by grabbing a hustle rebound for a second chance opportunity.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 6:28 - Another three for Banks

Looked almost Eddie House-like, as he had to get it off in a hurry with the defender closing.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:08 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 6:01 - Repeat

Wow... Marion seems to have gone cold from behind the arc, but now Banks is taking over. He's now 4-5, with all 12 points coming from three. Oh, and he has two blocks as well.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

By the way...

...The Suns have 120 points. 120-99.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 4:37 - Nuggets throwing it in

George Karl has started putting in his scrubs, and looks like D'Antoni will do the same. Nash leaves with 13 points, 10 assists, and just one turnover. Marion takes a seat with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists, and one Player of the Game award in my upcoming recap.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Q4 3:44 - Just showing off now

Banks takes a three from Dallas and nails it. The bright side of the early foul trouble for some guys was that Banks got the early call. Seems to have worked beautifully.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

WOW!!!!!!!

7-8 FROM 3 PT LAND FOR BANKS, WHAT A STUD

by jasonsuns1 on Jan 8, 2008 12:14 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q4 3:04 - Victory cigars continue

Sean Marks gets the call now for Amare, who had light duty thanks to foul trouble, but still ended up with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Let

the rookie play!

We ant Alando! We want Alando!

by Ridiculous Matt on Jan 7, 2008 9:18 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

You got your wish

Alando in after the break. Maybe earlier. I may just not have noticed.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Q4 2:00 - Marcus Banks show continues

That makes him 6-7. Poor Marion just got showed up on maybe his best three night ever. But not to worry, he still gets Player of the Game.

That last three puts the Suns up 129-108.

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

by TexSUN on Jan 7, 2008 9:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Great game!

Went to the game and it was all good all night. Even had some fun trashtalking about Boris, I mean Doris Diaw, with those sitting around me, which is always fun!

by TwinnerA on Jan 7, 2008 11:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs