Similar to the beatdown we suffered 11 days ago to Golden State, Phoenix comes in with a ton to prove despite reeling off 15 straight wins. Also similarly, the Nets head into the game as slight (-2.5) betting favorites, and 538 gives a 60% chance to survive and advance. But why?
Sometimes, evenly matched teams prove that it's a simple game, more about the Jimmy's and Joe's than the X's and O's. Phoenix has a ton of excellent stars and roleplayers, who perform as consistently as a Swiss watch. They have also been fortunate with health over the past 2 seasons, a credit to their training staff. We run a bit hot-and-cold after our Big Two, but boy oh boy, that 1-2 punch is a killer combo. The Suns play sound team defense, but I don't *think* they have anyone tailor-made to contain either James (literally our "Jimmy") or Kevin (he's not "Joe", but he'll do
). Phoenix were just as hot last season, when we fought back to beat them on the road. At that time, we were down both Durant and HWSNBN, and Harden ran roughshod over the Suns, willing us to the victory.I would imagine Nash will retain the starting lineup that played well in Boston, with the possible substitution of De'Andre for Bruce, IF he's healthy. Harris is still out for his 7th straight game (I told y'all, 3 weeks minimum), and no update on Claxton means he's probably a week away at best. If Blake returns, I would imagine he'll come off the bench; Aldridge has not played better overall, but he has certainly outplayed him offensively. His partnership with Patty is top-notch as well, so keeping their minutes joined at the hip gets the best out of both. Mills will have to fight against the old bull Paul, and we'll have to live with some disadvantage there. Whichever defensive wing that gets the starting nod should face-guard Booker all night, while Kevin handles Bridges. James gets Crowder, which should preserve his energy for running the show, while LaMarcus tangles with the young dynamic C Ayton. Their bench guards are great (Landry reunion), but their frontcourt is a bit depleted. McGee has been a great addition, Johnson has burned us in the past, but Kaminsky and Saric are out currently.
They will probably cross-match Bridges to defend Harden with his ball-hawking length, and Crowder to defend Durant with his bruising lower-body strength. IF either or both are successful at defending our main guys, it could be another home blowout. Should that happen, I sincerely hope that our home crowd won't make the same mistake and start chanting "MVP" to one of their players. For Kevin, battling through a shoulder injury and hearing that from HIS fans about ex-teammate Steph, I'd still be pissed. Fortunately, his shoulder seems better, and despite his reputation as the pettiest celebrity on social media, it looks like he brushed off that blatant disrespect. Maybe he's quietly using it as fuel, waiting for the next opportunity to show Brooklyn who is, was and will be the best player in the league. Hopefully, after tonight, KD sends Phoenix home licking their wounds, to battle those same Warriors on Tuesday. And hopefully after he dispatches them, our fans will redeem themselves by chanting to KD: "YOU DA REAL MVP!"
