PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Amare Stoudemire scored 25 points, Shaquille O'Neal had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns cruised to their fifth straight win, 111-98 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Steve Nash added 22 points and eight assists for the Suns, who remained a game behind the division-leading Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division. LaMarcus Aldridge had 31 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers, the sixth game in a row he has topped 20 points. Travis Outlaw had 13 points and Channing Frye and Jarrett Jack each scored 12. Brandon Roy shot just 3-of-14 and finished with six points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Phoenix last won five in a row from Nov. 30-Dec. 7. The Suns have shot 55 percent from the field during the current streak. Foul shooting kept Portland in the game for most of three quarters — the Blazers finished 20-of-25. But the Suns pulled away with a 21-7 run beginning late in the third. Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa scored 12 points apiece for the Suns. Grant Hill had 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The game was extremely physical, with O'Neal and Portland center Joel Przybilla tangling several times. O'Neal shoved Przybilla to the floor in the first quarter and was called for a foul. A fourth-quarter altercation led to a double technical. O'Neal continued to get attention from the Blazers throughout the game. After getting wrapped up under the Phoenix basket by Frye and James Jones, he swung his arms wildly as if he was going to retaliate — but suddenly stopped and instead walked over to Paul Allen's seat and shook the Blazer owner's hand. It was the biggest home loss for the Blazers this season, and Phoenix led by as many as 18. The Suns, coming off a 60.8 percent shooting performance against Sacramento on Saturday, were hot from the field right from the start, but were their own worst enemies at times in the first half. Gordan Giricek inexplicably fouled Jones on a halfcourt heave before the first quarter buzzer, allowing Jones to knock down three free throws. No one helped out when Aldridge took the ball to the glass against Stoudemire and picked up a three-point play to cut the Suns' lead to 49-45 in the second. But Phoenix went on a quick 8-0 run and Barbosa knocked down a 3 to make it 57-45. Portland was as close as 77-73 in the third, but Giricek and Nash hit 3-pointers. Nash found Diaw down low for a layup and then hit a runner to send the Suns in the fourth with a double-digit lead they never relinquished. Notes Portland has asked the NBA to appoint an independent doctor to determine if Darius Miles can play again. ... The Blazers sent F Josh McRoberts to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League. McRoberts has played 22 minutes in five games this season. ... The Suns have won eight straight and 12 of 13 against Portland
Their win against the Spurs was impressive. The others, well, I'll reserve judgment. If they win against the Rockets and have a good road trip (2-2, 3-1, or 4-0) against the Pistons, Celts, Sixers, and Nets, I might consider them "gelled."
I always liked this trade. It just takes time. They never had the post presence of a guy like Shaq. Now, they can run or play the half court, which is very important in the playoffs. Their previous style of play never got them to the Finals. It was time to change it up.
You rarely see players try to dunk or take it strong to Shaq. At age 35 he still is the most intimidating presence down low.
They've played well, but they haven't exactly beaten any top teams except a Spurs team in freefall. Their upcoming scheule is @Sonics, Rockets, @Pistons, @Celtics, @76ers, @Nets, Nuggets, @Nuggets, Wolves, Mavs, @Grizzlies, @Spurs, @Rockets, @Warriors, Blazers. They might beat the Sonics, but they will drop at least 3-4 of the next 9.
A small rockets team should be able to do well against them. A game against the Jazz, Spurs or other proven bigs is were Snaq will come in handy. Good squad though just like LA, Spurs, Utah, Dallas - Ah too much!
What I don't get is how folks are so sold on LA, yet they discount Phoenix. Everyone wants to ride the Lakers sack because they got Gasol, and because Bynum will be coming back after a knee injury. Yet they dismiss the Suns with Amare (who I feel is better than Gasol because he is a better scorer and neither of them play defense), and Shaq. So if you don't think the Suns are a threat then please explain to me why LA is. They don't defend well either (gave up around 100 a game with Gasol). They have also played a puss schedule. Bynum is still hurt.
Without going into great detail, think about this: Before Bynum went down, the Lakers surpassed the Suns (for best record in the conference) and everyone was talking about it. Since then, Bynum went down and was replaced by Gasol. For this season, Gasol is better than Bynum. The Suns traded Shawn Marion for Shaq. Many of us feel this made the Suns worse than before. Add it up. Right now, I just don't feel like breaking down their rosters into detail. But with Gasol back in the lineup, the Lakers are just better than the Suns IMO. Plus, I don't think Shaq can be relied upon to produce every game. Averaging 17/11 the last 2 games is great, but the prior 2 he was 10/6.
Before Bynum went down the Suns didn't have Shaq. Gasol is better offensively than Bynum but his defense is garbage. Look at how many PPG LA gives up when he is in the line-up. I think Amare will eat his lunch in a playoff series. Neither one of them play defense but Amare is a more explosive scorer IMO. I think Shaq will be fine from game-to-game in the postseason when he gets rest in between games. Either way, I still think he will outproduce a Bynum fresh off a knee injury.
If Gasol comes back at full strength and the Lakers and Suns meet in the playoffs, I say the Lakers will win 4-1 or 4-2. With or without Bynum. In a 7 game playoff series with a game every other day, Shaq will wear down. This is one of my dream 1st round matchups. Pleeeeease happen.
Suns are now built for post season. They are a regular playoff team but that Sun's team is going to be very difficult to beat in a 7 game series.
The Suns are going to be very hard to beat if they stay healthy. They are a better team for the playoffs with Shaq because their interior defense and rebounding is much better, and just as important, Amare can now play 4s, which he has been chewing up. If the Suns and Lakers matched up in the 1st round I'd take the Suns. Much more playoff experience and I see the Lakers having loads of trouble slowing down either Amare or Shaq--particulalry with a rusty Bynum and team not fully integrated. Now if the Lakers can hold off a meeting until round 2 or 3--where the Suns get cumulative wear and the Lakers have more time to integrate Gasol and a Bynum back into form--that could change things.
I disagree. I think the only two teams that match up well with the Suns are the Lakers and the Spurs.
