<span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix Suns</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">(4-6)</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">Amare Stoudemire</span><span style="color:#33CCFF">New Orleans Hornets</span> <span style="color:#FF9900">(8-3)</span><span style="color:#FF9900">PG</span> <span style="color:#33CCFF">Chris Paul</span> <span style="color:#FF9900">SG </span> <span style="color:#33CCFF">Peja Stojakovic</span> <span style="color:#FF9900">SF</span> <span style="color:#33CCFF">Desmond Mason</span> <span style="color:#FF9900">PF</span> <span style="color:#33CCFF">Marc Jackson</span> <span style="color:#FF9900">C</span> <span style="color:#33CCFF">Tyson Chandler</span>Injuries: David West (Strained right forearm)Keys to the Game<span style="color:#FF6600">Phoenix:</span>1. Dump it down low to AmareI am sick of watching the Suns shoot 30 three pointers at a bad percentage and let teams get back into the game. Amare is playing well right now so when they have the lead they need to get it in the paint to him or Diaw to get some easy points or at least draw fouls.2. Take advantage of West's absence With the Hornets having to replace David West with Marc Jackson in the line-up, they have a much less talented player and the Suns need to use that to their advantage. They have been outrebounded in most games and with a great team like the Hornets, they can not allow so many second chance points. Amare, Diaw, Marion and Thomas need to get after every missed shot.<span style="color:#33CCFF">Hornets:</span>1. Keep the streak goingThe Hornets have won four straight so they just have to keep doing what they are doing. Chris Paul is having and incredible season in his second year averaging 18 points and 9 assists per game and Stojakovic is shooting the 3 at almost 46%. Those two will decide how this team does. Chris Paul needs to have a great game against Nash's weak D and Stojakovic should be able to take advantage of Raja Bell's rib injury, which is still causing him pain.2. Bench productionWithout David West this team doesn't have a great amount of players to use. They need to counter the explosive Barbosa and the rest of the Suns bench with some good play if they want to win. Bobby Jackson did a good job in the last game to put away the Heat but someone else, whether it be Butler, Armstrong, Pargo, Simmons or Johnson needs to step up and give some of the starters a breather because they will need it playing at the Suns' speed.PredictionThe Hornets have played great basketball as of late, but the game is in Phoenix against a Suns team that is finally starting to get it. If they can build any type of inside game and play smarter ball then they will win. It will be a very close game matching two of the best passing point guards in the NBA right now. It will be a joy to watch.Suns 110 Hornets 108
I missed a lot of the first half because my mom watched the top model show and my brother watched MIB but the Suns seem to be playing very well. They lead 51-46 at the half. Diaw is playing well except for the 4 TO's. Raja Bell has scored 18 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. He is 4-6 from the 3 point line. Nice to see him get his stroke back. Besides Nash's 13 points no one else is doing much. Amare and Marion are non-existant. We need them to finish this thing out.
Great game by the Suns! Amare played bad and Barbosa left the game with a sprained ankle at halftime but.....They won 92-83. They played some solid D and were much smarter in their shot selection. Nash did a great job, making some very tough shots.Kurt did good in place of a struggling Amare(3-3, 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks).Diaw had another good game shooting 80% for 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.I'm feeling really good about this team right now.
The Suns played great tonight. Steve Nash took over...Raja scored very good...and Diaw...nice job! Finally! lol
S'good to see Diaw coming a live these last coupla games.... Also Raja Bell is my 2nd favourite player on the team to Nash, just a great all-around baller, without question!
Did Amare get hurt in this game? I was looking at the box score and he only played 21 minutes, and he only took 1 shot? What's up with that? Why didn't he play much and why didn't he shoot the ball?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Nov 22 2006, 11:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Did Amare get hurt in this game? I was looking at the box score and he only played 21 minutes, and he only took 1 shot? What's up with that? Why didn't he play much and why didn't he shoot the ball?</div>He just wasn't playing well. I bet that he had some knee soreness and a slow start just put him on the bench. We may find out tommorow.
Amare was turning the ball over like a mofo. He couldn't hold on. Marion hit a 3 or 2 later on, nice.
