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I like our chances even if they're with Ayton, but without him, this one should be in the bag. Gotta prove that we're a legit championship contender this season by not losing these type of games.

HCA here, Ayton out we should cruise in our Home Opener. That said, the Suns beat SAC by 30+ in their first game so we can't afford another sloppy game like the last game.

I think they're going to be good.

TunaFish wrote:I think they're going to be good.

Which "they're" are you referring too ??

skywalker33 wrote:

TunaFish wrote:I think they're going to be good.

Which "they're" are you referring too ??

The Deep Team.

In full force, at least at the home, Phoenix has enough talents to make some damage. But without a key player Ayton, they are a bottom-3 team on the West for sure, so it would be a crime if Malone does not give Michael Porter jr to play 20+ minutes tonight.

I would sideline our oldest player Millsap, Barton too, and use this game to bring some minutes to MPJ and JV, and Juancho too. But that's just me

After so frustrating Summer with the Serbian national team and scandalous "backup forward" role, and after he missed the 1st half of Portland game, I would be lucky of seeing Jokic make triple-double tonight.

Looking like it might be time to bench Harris, we need something from the SG position

Another real sloppy half, 10 TO's, poor shooting night. We're getting out-rebounded 26-21 W/O Ayton on the floor. Lucky we're only down 6pts IMO.

A win is a win.

The first half offense was scary bad, especially the 1st quarter where we score only 15pts with only 3 players scoring out of 10 which played (the other 7 shot 0-12). I don't know what Malone waiting with Juancho and MPJ in games like this where Barton and Craig shooting 1-10. But at least credit to Malone to put Beasley on SF spot in key moments of 4th and OT.

We talked much about Gary Harris slump this year, but right now I think Nuggets player with the biggest slump problem is Monte Morris. After great and perfectly efficient season MM underperformed badly in the playoff and looks like he is still struggling. Barton and Craig at least their blocks today (including Craig's winning block), but Morris was just 0-6 and nothing else.

Talking about positive things from this unnecessary drama, it is Jokic triple-double, Harris defense, and Beasley and Grant's contribution from the bench (plus Murray 4th quarter and OT offense).

Triple Double for Jokic, credit to The Joker, he called that one !! Tougher game than it should have been, had to pull another out in that 2nd half as we were crap in the first half. No one really stepped up at the SF although liked the block by TC at the end. Surprised how well Oubre and Baynes/Kaminsky played tonight.

Really doesn't seem like were in sync yet, but 2 down 70 to go !!

And what happened to our 3pt shooting tonight, nobody was on tonight !?!?

That was a very physical aggressive game with more defense than I would have expected from the Suns. Rubio gives them a chance with solid play making. Phoenix has benefited from Memphis trading Conley to Utah.

Denver's shooting has been a problem in both games and there were some huge mistakes. Beasley is playing for money and played well but that bone headed foul at the end of regulation nearly cost them the game. Luckily, Jokic continues to carry them with late help from Murray.

Phoenix outscored us in 3 quarters - Not impressed by the effort - IMO we were very lucky to get a win against a team that is unlikely to make the playoffs

"Live by the 3, die by the 3" and we almost did
Starters were 4-15 & bench was 3-12

Phoenix had more assists - that should never happen
12 for Jokic & 9 for the rest of the team

Phoenix had more rebounds

Rebounds
Starters - 26 - Millsap & Barton took the night off on the boards
Bench ---- 19

Craig & Plumlee were the only players to take fewer shots than Millsap & Barton --- both of whom took just 6 shots. That isn't terrible for Millsap if he's getting boards because he plays decent defense. But Barton is on the court for one reason: to score. Like him or not, he needs to shoot more or he needs to sit on the bench.

Why is Porter not playing not even 1 minute? What is going on?

skywalker33 wrote:Looking like it might be time to bench Harris, we need something from the SG position

I think Harris has been doing a very good job, he shut down McCullom and Booker was struggling all night with Harris guarding them both. With Barton starting Harris is basically the 5th option on offense, which makes it hard for him to get enough shots to be consistent.


I also loved the defense from Murray the last 2 games, he is still not a great defender but I would say he has been above average the last 2 games.

TunaFish wrote:That was a very physical aggressive game with more defense than I would have expected from the Suns. Rubio gives them a chance with solid play making. Phoenix has benefited from Memphis trading Conley to Utah.

Denver's shooting has been a problem in both games and there were some huge mistakes. Beasley is playing for money and played well but that bone headed foul at the end of regulation nearly cost them the game. Luckily, Jokic continues to carry them with late help from Murray.

Baynes and Rubio are both tough physical defenders and adding them has changed the whole Suns roster, it seems that everybody on that team is at least putting in effort on defense which was one of their big problems last year.

It is hard for me to be too upset with Beasley for 1 bad play when he was the one that got us back in the game early in the 2nd quarter.

BlueSan wrote:Why is Porter not playing not even 1 minute? What is going on?

whether anybody agrees with it or not, the Nuggets view themselves as a contender, MPJ will have to earn his minutes just like everybody else on the team. Malone gave Mudiay starters minutes after he was drafted due to the terrible circumstances of the Lawson flame out and trade, since then every young player has to earn their minutes. Beasley, Craig, Juancho, Morris, Barton, and even Jokic have had to earn their minutes over the last few years, why should MPJ be different?

The Rebel wrote:

BlueSan wrote:Why is Porter not playing not even 1 minute? What is going on?

whether anybody agrees with it or not, the Nuggets view themselves as a contender, MPJ will have to earn his minutes just like everybody else on the team. Malone gave Mudiay starters minutes after he was drafted due to the terrible circumstances of the Lawson flame out and trade, since then every young player has to earn their minutes. Beasley, Craig, Juancho, Morris, Barton, and even Jokic have had to earn their minutes over the last few years, why should MPJ be different?

His talent is hard to ignore.

I honestly thought he'd give MPJ a 5 minute spurt vs Suns because Barton/Craig were struggling offensively.

skywalker33 wrote:Looking like it might be time to bench Harris, we need something from the SG position

I don't expect much from Harris because I know how he and Murray plays when Will Barton starts with him. Will becomes 3rd option (sometimes even more shots than Jokic & Murray) with Millsap & Gary being 4/5 options.