Game 58: Phoenix(34-23) @ Oklahoma City( 33-21)

[DaDragicShow]

Who: Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City

When: 6:00pm UPN45

Where: Ford Center, Oklahoma City, OK






Phoenix Suns starting lineup:

C- Lopez
Pf- Amare
Sf- Hill
Sg- Richardson
Pg- Dragic

Reserves: Dudley/Loouu/Frye/Clark














Oklahoma City starting lineup:

C- Krstic
Pf Green
Sf- Durant
Sg- Sefolosha
Pg- Westrbook

Reserves: Harden/Ibaka/Manyor/

[sunskerr]

1st!
Lopez has a solid game and burns Krstic, while Dragic locks down Westbrook! Suns win because I'm optimistic.

[DaDragicShow]

Welcome to this board sunskerr. Post a lot and don't listen much to Maryvalesfinest. LOL

Anywayz, without Nash on the road against the hottest team in the NBA spells C-H-A-O-S.

[surfer]

After 9 sequential thunders it's time for OKC to get some Sun!

[lilfishi22]

It's on Aussie tv! Woo!

We're going to need a beastly game from Amare and need JRich shooting at a decent clip.

Thunder are on a 9 game winning streak right now and are 1/2 a game in front of us for 5th place, so this is a statement game as much as any.

Offensively is where we're going to suffer without Nash so it's important we get plenty of ball movement. Defensively our starting lineup will be better with Dragic in and even though he's not as strong as Westbrook, he should be quick enough to stay in front of him.

I'm excited about this game.

[le crapaud]

Very interesting game to evaluate Goran's abilities to run the team. I'm sure he'll be fine, he's a tough kid and has shown great progress all over the season. Still, I'd like to see Hill helping him handling the ball and creating plays. Westbrook is a tough matchup and guarding him will be hard enough, so Dragic can't hardly do all the work offensively especially if we want to minimize turnovers.

Anyway, all suns players must reach their higher level of basketball to win this one. 9 game winning streak for the thunder but suns have won 8 of their last 10 .

[garrick]

There's only one way to win this and that is with good D.

[Miklo]

This should be an interesting game...we need Goran to perform IMO, not one of his 2 point, 1-5 shooting, 3 assist nights.

OKC is hot hot hot, I kind of wish we had Nash because this is a good preview of a team we need to be able to beat come playoff time.

[DaDragicShow]

If Goran plays well and scores around 12-13ppg records 6 assists with a couple of steals then we have a chance to steal a game in Oklahoma City.

[pidi]

ghill and dudley will have to step up at defense - if they do we´ll see a win...

[albasuna]

At least with Nash out the defense won't have leave their man to stop the penetration as much. The offense on the other hand.... It'll be hard for Amare to be central focus, since the Suns have rarely focused their offense around Amare. It'll be nice to see if he can get some assists tonight.

[Austin]

Goran sounded confident on the AZ Central quotes when asked about starting, saying things like, "I can run this team."

[Qwigglez]

So either two things will happen. One, Suns will get blown out. Two, Suns will fight hard and it will be a close game.
If Nash is really out, it is time for Amare to shine as the leader of the team. And if he is up to the challenge I expect to see him have monster numbers tonight. Like someone said, J-Rich needs to be productive as well, and since he is one of the older players of the team he needs to be a leader offensively as well. I hope Robin Lopez kills it tonight too, and contests any shots in the paint that Durant puts up.

[sunsfever68]

I think in a way Nash being out could be a blessing in disguise. He would get absolutely abused by Westbrook. He's as athletic a point guard as there is the NBA. Dragic plays good defense so let him be on Westbrook the whole game.

The key will be offensive rhythm and getting stops playing hard defensively closing out fast. If we win this game I'll be very impressed.

Give it your best shot guys go suns!

[Miklo]

I think in a way Nash being out could be a blessing in disguise. He would get absolutely abused by Westbrook. He's as athletic a point guard as there is the NBA. Dragic plays good defense so let him be on Westbrook the whole game.

This is a fair point, Nash would get torched by Westbrook. We may actually come out better on defense against a matchup like this. The big question being then, can we get our offense in good enough shape to run against a team that could easily drop 100 on us?

[harshey1388]

So either two things will happen. One, Suns will get blown out. Two, Suns will fight hard and it will be a close game.
If Nash is really out, it is time for Amare to shine as the leader of the team. And if he is up to the challenge I expect to see him have monster numbers tonight. Like someone said, J-Rich needs to be productive as well, and since he is one of the older players of the team he needs to be a leader offensively as well. I hope Robin Lopez kills it tonight too, and contests any shots in the paint that Durant puts up.

pretty sure nash isnt playing they said he isnt flying with the team.

[lilfishi22]

I'm not sure about the statistics, but when I watch, we're a better defensive team with Dragic on the court. Dragic is a much better defensive matchup for Westbrook since Westbrook likes to drive and what we want is to shut him out of the paint and make him shoot jumpers.

[Desertfox]

The only thing that worries me, is that we will be very thin in the backcourt, no backup SG/PG. If we slide down JD and Hill, Clark is going to see significant minutes.

[Qwigglez]

Clark playing defense against Durant will be entertaining...

[lilfishi22]

"Taint their victory or steal a win"