Suns know stakes high Face critical matchup tonight vs. Rockets Bob Young The Arizona Republic Mar. 16, 2003 12:00 AM HOUSTON - A year ago at this time, the Suns were playing out the string on a season that led only to the draft lottery. Tonight, they get a reminder of what March is supposed to be like, as teams jockey for position in the playoffs, when they visit Steve Francis, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets at the Compaq Center. "I remember being on teams when we had no shot at the playoffs and the last 25 games seemed like six months because you're not playing for anything," forward Tom Gugliotta said. "It's a drag." Nothing about tonight's game figures to be a drag, unless the Suns lose it. The Rockets and Suns enter the games with identical 34-30 records. The Rockets have a 2-1 edge in the season series, meaning a victory tonight gives them the first tiebreaker should it come to that. The second tiebreaker is record within the conference, and the teams are tied with 19-19 marks. The third tiebreaker, divisional record, doesn't apply because the teams are in different divisions. That could necessitate the fourth tiebreaker, records against playoff teams within the same conference. There, the Suns are 10-11 against the top seven in the West and the Rockets are 9-13. "It's like two games, maybe three," Suns coach Frank Johnson said. "We can't afford to let them go 3-1 on us." For whatever reason, the Suns usually have played better this season when they have perceived that more was on the line. They have a better record against winning teams than they do against clubs with losing records. And the playoff implications only add flavor to the pot. "It's a lot of fun," guard Stephon Marbury said. "We pretty much have identical games left (on the schedule), so this is a big, big game. "I think the best part about it is that you know going into the game how important it is. So you know everybody is going to bring their game." Forward Bo Outlaw said it would be up to the club's veterans to let the younger players know what they're in for tonight. "There's going to be a lot of emotion, a lot of intensity. Guys are going to be very aggressive because it will be like a playoff game," Outlaw said. "A lot of the young guys haven't experienced this before. "We've got to let them know what's going to happen because when they're not expecting it, that's when they get into trouble. "It's going to be physical, a lot of scratching, pushing, pulling, tugging, knocking people down. Everything goes." Like the Suns, the Rockets have been up and down this season. They are riding a four-game winning streak that comes on the heels of a four-game losing skid. As the season has progressed, the 7-foot-6 Yao, the top pick in last summer's draft, has become a bigger part of the Houston offense. But the Rockets still revolve around the abilities of guards Francis and Cuttino Mobley in the isolation game. Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said this week that he doesn't want to get caught up in the standings, but he admitted he checks daily. "We just have to know how important things are," he said. "Does that add extra pressure? You guys (in the media) are going to bring it up." No matter what happens tonight, the race likely will go down to the middle of April. The Suns have been shaky since the All-Star break, but they may have regained momentum by crushing Sacramento on Thursday at home. "We can't worry about Phoenix," Mobley said. "If they fold, they fold. We dug our hole, now we have to get out of it."
i dont have a good feeling about this game. our quotes are so passive. "we cant worry about phoenix" "if they fold..." we must worry about them! we must make them fold! as opposed to "It's going to be physical, a lot of scratching, pushing, pulling, tugging, knocking people down. Everything goes." maybe rudy knows that our team gets nervous when he hypes a game up too much. maybe its better that we come in calm and play our game. this game reminds me of that one we played against the suns 2 years ago when we were both fighting for the last playoff spot. that loss put us 2 games back if i remember correctly and we never came back from that. one thing is for sure, yao is a clutch player, he is a winner, and he will have a BIG game.
...the Suns...have a better record against winning teams than they do against clubs with losing records. Sigh
You know, it would be VERY VERY smat if Rudy started MoT, and drew some early fouls on Stoudamire. Slow down the pace of the game with that type of play while Mo gives us a small lift, and Steve plays patiently, just setting up his teammates and focusing on Marbury. Here's one thing I'm excited about: Griffin is WAY overdue for a 5+ block performance.
Sane, we are deeper team playing at home, I say we run run run, just like we did against the Bulls. Let Posey give Marion some work to do.
I don't think we're a better running team though. Marion and Stoudamire rely heavily on a running, transition game. Put them in a playoff style halfcourt set and, POOF, they shoot 30%.
Agree with you but we shoot a lower % too when we allow them to set up. I would prefer that our dogs outrun them. We do have Cato available to play Amare. The thing about our running is that we play everything else quicker too like passing the ball and playing the lanes. I am sure there will be moments when we use our bread and butter of Ming, Taylor, Rice and backcourt in some slow sets but I just do not want us to use that exclusively. It is better when it is mixed up. Although Chicago is a weak team do not think we cannot do the same thing to a team like the Suns, like we did with the Nets who beat NO, at home, the night after we spank them silly.
I know what you're getting at, but what do you think Phoenix's BEST bet is against us tongiht? If you ask them "what's the best style of play for you to sneak this win out?"...You know, and I know, that they will say they want to run. Ming Grififn Posey Mobley Francis is not a better running team than Bo Outlaw Stoudamire Marion Joe Johnson/Penny Marbury But then, put our best halfcourt team out there, and let's see them TRY to beat it: Ming Taylor Rice Mobley Francis In the halfcourt, we abuse them with that line-up.
you can't draw too many fouls shooting 20 footers. as much as i like your thinking, MoT just isn't that much of a banger and stoudamire would probably block most of his low post moves with his height and athletism.
Sane, do you watch Phoenix games? I guess not. The Suns are like #18 in fastbreak points and neither Marion nor Stoudemire RELY on a running game. Great logic to put in MoT to draw fouls on Amare, Amare will be so scared that the great MoT is out there that he will draw more quick fouls than he does when facing the likes of Duncan, Webber, Garnett, Brand etc etc. Most of the time it is Amare who draws the early fouls on his defender. Phoenix doesn't need to ''find a way to sneak out a W'' it is not like you are 60-0 or anything close to unbeatable. The Suns proved this season they can flat out outplay top teams when they are on top of their game.
macalu, You obviously have not seen MoT's recent games. He is a monster down low this season. his mid range game has practically dissapeared, and he's getting more rebounds too. This is the new Mo. slinslin, Give me a break. I may not have watched 50+ Phoenix games, btu I've seen enough to know that Amare is constantly in foul trouble. MoT is a vet, and he CAN make Stoudamire pay. Common man. Webber made Stoudamire look like a lilttle boy the other day. Same with Duncan. Don't tell me you think he's in that category. I can't find the quote right now, but I am 100% sure that one of the Suns used the exact word "STEAL" when commenting on getting a win from Houston.
Mobley's quote was taken out of context. That was pulled from a previous interview before the Bulls game in a context of not looking past teams....taking everything one game at a time.
Which is why they probably won't beat the Rockets. You make it sound like the Suns have this team that is just unbeatable at times...LOL, what a joke! Does it ever occur to you that the better teams see the Suns as a lesser team and they don't get up for them? We blew out the Kings early this year as well, but we know they had an off game...you Suns fans actually think you are BETTER than you are when that stuff happens. Wake up bro. Your team has some serious defensive issues in case you didn't know...Amare just adds to that with his HORRRRIBLE D.
I love how all these foreigners (of Houston) always analyze the Rockets offense.....they know everything about it...
