3-26-09 Game Thread Phoenix @ Portland -- Big game here.. Portland already has 27 losses, It'd be nice if they could get another one here but it'll be a tough one for the Suns since Portland is playing at home. Go Suns!
Yep always go for the team closest to the bottom. Plus i'd like to see the Suns make it in above those other teams. It's going to be tough for the Suns and Greg Oden has REALLY improved and could make the Blazers scary for anyone with their two centers and Fernandez off the bench and of course Roy. Por prbly wins but gotta go for the Suns.
Even when he has good stretches of games, Oden has been totally owned when facing really good centers. If Shaq plays with energy, I don't expect Oden to do well. If Shaq is very tired or doesn't play much, Oden could make the Suns miserable. I'll say this much: If the Blazers are focused (along with being rested) and the Suns don't play any defense, it will be a blowout. But I expect the Suns to put up a good fight because of their desperate position. If they lose this game and again in Utah on Saturday, their goose is cooked. Beating the Jazz at home was a must win; so is this Blazers game.
I like Phoenix in this game. It's desperation time for the Suns at this point, and they've won 7 straight with the last 2 being over the Nuggets and Jazz. They seem to be on a roll right now and winning close games. It could all come crashing down for Phoenix, but they're going to be pumped up for this game. The Blazers are playing all right basketball, but they rely too much on Brandon Roy to lead them to a 4th quarter victory. It's worked often enough of late, but Phoenix could build a huge lead if Portland's not careful. I think the Mavs are going to rise above the #8 seed, so the question is can the Suns catch the Blazers or Jazz? They can take the head-to-head tie break 3-1 over Portland tonight if they win. The Suns still have a steep hill to climb, but beating the lower seeds can vault them right back into the race.
Shaq could get in foul trouble early due to fatigue from last night's game and the athleticism of the Blazers. The Blazers wil be rested, playing at home and determined to bounce back after the Philly game while at least 2 out of 3 Phoenix's key vets will likely underperform - probably Hill and Shaq. Nash typically finds a way to be productive so I rarely assume a bad game from him. I wouldn't be shocked though if even he doesn't play well tonight. The Suns are still without Barbosa. That hurts. His youth, athleticism and scoring would have given the Suns a much needed boost in a game like this. The only way the Suns win is if several role players step up big and Portland inexplicably doesn't show up. I don't see either of those things happening. Portland by double digits. If the game does somehow end up being close, advantage still to Portland. No team is better in close games, especially at home.
Why not? Their's still a lot of games to be played, anything than happen, we can drop a bunch of games and lose our seeding, or Jazz could lose a lot more considering their tough schedule and become 8th. Still a lot of games left, I wouldn't worry about seeding until their is a few games left.
I don't care for Utah. Guys seriously, we can't be controlling what Utah is going to do. Yeah their schedule is hard and they record for +.500 games on the road sucks, but you have to assume they will play hard for the final 12 games (or how many ever they have left) in trying to get a good seed. We just have to worry about anyone who has a record closest to us to lose. The seeds wont be set until the final week.
I'm going on the record now. If the Suns win tonight and win again on Saturday in Utah, the Jazz will miss the Playoffs.
I agree with you, but it's not like your statement is going out on a limb. The Jazz losing at home on Saturday would indicate they are ill prepared for their very tough closing schedule and the Suns winning both tonight and Saturday would indicate they might come close to running the table on their final 11 games. They are already on a 6-game wining streak. I want the Jazz to get the 8th seed and face the Lakers.
Agreed it's not that much of a stretch, but there's just so much fear of Utah on this board right now. I don't think a lot of people realize how much danger they're in to miss the Playoffs if they bomb all of their road games. I do think Utah will get that game on Saturday. They had 3 days off between the game in Phoenix and the game in Utah to prepare for a rematch. The Suns had to play the Blazers tonight. That just doesn't favor the Suns. If Phoenix loses that game, it'll be mighty hard for them to overcome the Jazz without the tie break. Even if the Jazz win that game, I think it's likely that they fall to #7 or #8. Man, this weekend has some crucial games: Suns at Jazz, Spurs at Hornets as well as Nuggets at Mavs, Clippers at Rockets
Portland taking it to the Suns early. If Portland keeps their foot on the gas, this could be over early.
I like Batum's game more every time I see him play. He has the chance to be a super role player in this league.
Shaq sending an early message to young Oden. I'll be shocked if Shaq is able to do much by the time the 4th quarter rolls around.
Shaq will eat Oden for dinner tonight. Oden will get his 2nd foul within 2 more minutes of game action. Promise.
