<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> November 1, 2006 - 10:30 pm ETGame aired on ESPN</div> <span style="color:#FF0000">Los Angeles Clippers</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">(0-0)</span><span style="color:#3333FF">PG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Shaun Livingston</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">SG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Cuttino Mobley</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">SF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Quinton Ross</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">PF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Tim Thomas</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">C</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Elton Brand</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Sam Cassell, Chris Kaman, Corey Maggette, Daniel Ewing, Paul Davis</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix Suns</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">(0-1)</span><span style="color:#FF6600">PG</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Steve Nash</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">SG</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Raja Bell</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">SF</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">PF</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Boris Diaw</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">C</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Kurt Thomas</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Marcus Banks, James Jones, Jumaine Jones</span> Injury ReportNone Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#FF0000">Elton Brand</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Last Season's Stats: 24.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Elton Brand is coming off an MVP-like season, and he's ready to further persue the Clippers' shot at the promise land. He keeps getting better year in and year out, I can't wait to see what he's improved on this summer. He has the complete package: he can score from the post, he has a very nice/consistant mid-range jumper, he's a good rebounder, he's an excellent shot blocker, he's very strong, he's a world-class human being, and he's a leader on the court.</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Chris Kaman</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Last Season's Stats: 11.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Averaging basically a double-double last year, you know he can bang. Chris Kaman is one of the best young centers in the league, and he just recently inked a nice extension in LA. He brings a lot to the table: toughness, rebounding, low-post defense. Every team needs a guy like Kaman, but few do.</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Corey Maggette</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Last Season's Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.8 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Maggette was plagued with injuries last season, but he's looking to redeem himself this season. When healthy, Maggette is an athletic freak, a 20 point scorer, a solid defender, and a fan favorite. It will be nice to see a healthy Corey Maggette out there on the court again, and I'm sure the Clippers organization is happy about that.</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Steve Nash</span><span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 15.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 13.0 apg</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span><span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 4.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire</span><span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 6.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg</span>Rookie Watch <span style="color:#3333FF">LAC:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Paul Davis</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 34</span><span style="color:#3333FF">The Scoop:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Solid post game and he can shoot. Average rebounder, below average defender.</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">LA's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Chris Kaman</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Last Season's Stats: 11.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Phoenix really doesn't have a prototypical center on their roster, they have converted PF's playing the position. If Kaman can take advantage of that, especially considering Amare is a couple steps slower than usual, he could have a big night.</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Leandro Barbosa</span><span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 30.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Barbosa is a much improved player, and I have him as a top candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year this season. He is a terrific scorer, very quick, a combo guard, and a very tough kid. If he can come in and provide scoring off the bench for Phoenix, that would be key. Covering Barbosa will be no easy task for Quinton Ross.</span> Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#FF0000">Chris Kaman</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Kurt Thomas</span><span style="color:#000000">Both of these guys could change the game for their teams. Both of them are capable of a double-double every night. May the toughest man win.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/NotesI'm interested in seeing how Shaun Livingston is looking, and Corey Maggette as well. For Phoenix, they are a joy to watch and I'm glad I get to watch them two nights in a row. CelticBalla's PredictionIt's Phoenix's first home game, I think they take it. It's tough to beat Phoenix at home, and they will have a chip on their shoulder from giving up the game last night. I think they take it.
I think that the Suns will be fired up coming off of last nights loss, and this being their home opener. I think that Marion will have a big game for the Suns, and Elton Brand will have an impressive opener against the Suns but the Suns will win tonight. I think Amare scores double digits off the bench tonight too.
Well today I just found out that the suns are 1-7 in their last 8 season openers so I guess this is just the norm. I hope they can win today but I doubt it. I expect their next win to come in three days vs. the Jazz.
Ugh...why do the Cavs and Wizards get Hubie Brown while the Suns are always stuck with Walton? God, he's horrible!
sh*t Marion just got like 3 blocks in a row lol. that was awesome. As for Amare I know he just got back pretty much but I wonder how well he'll do with the run and gun system the Suns use now. I mean while the Suns keep darting down the court on offense you see Amare just trotting down a lot of the time.
Well he's 4-4 right now and has made a couple nice turnaround J's over Brand and Kaman. Marion has been great so far. Raja and Diaw still looking like crap.
HAHA yeah like right after I posted that he hit two more shots so I take what I said back lol. He's been looking good on offense so far.
I was very surprised by the starting 5 for the Clippers tonight. Livingston, Mobely, Ross, Thomas, and Brand. Wow. I'm very surprised Cassell and Kaman didn't start. I understand why due to small ball, but still caught me by surprise.So far, Amare is looking smooth offensively, and he got a couple nice blocks (especially the one where Mobely pump-faked like 5 times before the shot). Marcus Banks is also playing excellent ball off the bench, and Shawn Marion/Amare getting 3 blocks on one play was incredible!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Heatfan32 @ Nov 1 2006, 11:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Amare, 15 minutes and 13 points. Proving the haters wrong :dribble:</div>Let's see how his knee holds up after 30-40 games...
The Suns are leading by 3 at halftime. Raja has looked terrible and Diaw seems to have lost all of his aggressiveness and has eaten one too many croissants during the off-season. But besides those two they are playing great. The defense has done well and Amare is playing wonderfully. He has 13 points in 15 minutes, he got a couple blocks and has just been very aggressive. It's really great to see.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Nov 1 2006, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>OH YEAH BABY IT'S IN THE BAG. SUNS ALL TEH WAY. 81 GAME WINNING STREAK 81-1 AND SWEEP THE PLAYOFFS. W00T W00T MATRIX FTW MVP, DPOY, AND FINALS MVP, BARBOSA 6TH MAN, D'ANTONI COY AND EOY!!!!!!!!!!! 10 point lead...WTF I'VE HEARD MORE TRAVELING CALLS AGAINST THE SUNS IN THIS GAME THEN I DID IN ANY GAME FOR ANY TEAM ALL LAST SEASON.THESE REFS ARE THE WORST EVER!!!!!</div> :ranting: Shut up. The calls against Kurt were questionable but the refs haven't been bad at all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 1 2006, 10:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>:ranting: Shut up. The calls against Kurt were questionable but the refs haven't been bad at all.</div>Yes they have. They called a travel on Nash and he took like one step. Then they called Cassell out and neither Sam or the ball touched out of bounds. They're bullshitting calls. They call a terrible call, feel bad, and make something up to make up for it on the other team.OMG choke city part II set up for trial run... -.-
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Nov 1 2006, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Let's see how his knee holds up after 30-40 games...</div>While coming off the bench...
Good game. This makes me feel much better. I think the reason for Bell's suckiness is because of his hip injury but Diaw needs to get back in shape even though he had a strong 4th quarter. Good win by the Suns, hopefully one of very many this season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>While coming off the bench...</div>While still playing more minutes than any other starter...
