<div align="center"> @ </div><div align="center">10:30 PM E/T ESPN</div><span style="color:#000099">New Jersey Nets (5-6 1st in Atlantic)</span><span style="color:#999999">PG-Jason Kidd SG-Vince Carter SF-Richard Jefferson PF-Jason Collins C-Nenad Kristic</span><span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix Suns(5-6 5th in Pacific)</span><span style="color:#FF6600">PG-Steve Nash SG-Raja Bell SF-Shawn Marion PF-Boris Diaw C-Amare Stoudemire</span>One team has lost three in a row, is 5-6 and is first in their division. The other has won four of the last five and has the same record, but is dead last in their division. Doesn't seem fair at all but that's the difference between the West and the East and the Nets now face a tough challenge going to Phoenix to play the Suns, where the Suns are 28-3 against Eastern Conference teams in the last three years.The Nets are no pushover though. They have that scary trio of Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. Carter is averaging over 28 points a game and Kidd is doing a great job overall with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. But it does cause a lot of optimism for Suns fans when you hear that in the Nets' losing streak the have lost to Portland, Seattle and again, Portland respectively, lost those games by an average of 11 points and failed to get to 88 points twice.Match-Up of the GameSteve Nash vs. Jason KiddIt obviously has to be these two. Arguably, the two best point guards in the league. Steve Nash is a great offensive player. The best playmaker in the league, who has led the best offenses in the NBA for the past five years with Dallas and Phoenix. He is a very good shooter and has been great for the Suns late in games. Kidd, though not as good as he once was, is still a very good defensive player and also a great playmaker. He struggles with shooting but that won't be a problem against Nash's defense.PredictionThe Suns are playing very well right now and are at home. I can't pick against them in this game.Suns 107 Nets 96
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (STAT @ Nov 24 2006, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Woot! I am going to this game!!!!</div>I'm going to Suns @ Nets in a few weeks!Last year when I went I actually got to see Amare play and saw Nash held to 0 points, Suns held to 72pts on worst FG % in franchise history. Hopefully this year the play better and it isn't a blowout.
another good game, I think that the Suns have a bit of a statistical edge but I am actually going to give the Nets a small edge, I think they will win by 5-10 points. This is only if Kidd and Carter have a good game. otherwise its going the other way.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 24 2006, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oops, I put 8:30 Eastern but that's Arizona time..hold on.</div>I was going to say... the Spurs, Mavs are on at 8:00 on ESPN
Hey, I think it's been those 15 games without a Raja Bell flagrant.ballerman=pwnt J/K doesn't really matter...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 24 2006, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hey, I think it's been those 15 games without a Raja Bell flagrant.ballerman=pwnt J/K doesn't really matter...</div>hahah...give it time!But back to topic....I am going to take the nets in this game. The Suns are playing with no togetherness or teamwork and that is the method that they use to win alot of their games. Their defense isnt doing to great, and they arent making shots when they need to. The last time I saw them play was agaisnt Golden State when GS went on about a 19-0 run. That is what I am basing my analysis on....They just havent been the same team this year. I hope that they turn it around soon...
Our 6th man Barbosa is out for the game with that sprained ankle he got in the 2nd quarter of the last game. I still think the Suns win but by a closer margin.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 24 2006, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'></div>Finally a poppin' fresh new pic
This is my first basketball game in a long time, and I can honestly say, the Nets look the exact same as they did last year. This team needs to find an identity. One second they're grinding it our halfcourt, and Nenad Kristic is makes a dumb move and the next second they're turning to ball over in transition. New Jersey really needs to find what they do best; which is posting up Vince Carter and RJ, and use it
This has been a real good game so far. Not too much game analysis coming from me. There's nothing much to say except that I am very happy right now. Keep it up Raja! And even though Amare can't dunk on everyone like before he is doing a great job drawing fouls and getting 3 point plays. He also has 4 or 5 blocks already at halftime!
Amare has looked good in this first half. He's active, putting the ball in the basket, blocking shots, and moving well. I like what I see. Nash has been Nash, Raja Bell has knocked down jumpers, and Marcus Banks (thats my boy!) provided a lot of energy off the bench so far.For New Jersey, Kidd/Carter/Krstic have been solid, but nobody else is really doing much at all. I'd like to see more from Richard Jefferson, Antoine Wright, and Jason Collins in the second half.EDIT:2nd half- MARCUS WILLIAMS!!! WOW! 21 fourth quarter points (25 total) for the rookie. Jesus christ he went off.- Amare is back. He's back! 25/10 with 7 blocks - unbelievable.- Nash was a magician throughout the entire game as usual.- Marion was solid.- Bell kept knocking down shots.- Banks had a good game off the bench.- Vince had a little hot streak.- Krstic sucked in the 2nd half.- RJ - still nothing.- Kidd didn't shoot well.- Mikki Moore brought energy.Good game, it looked like a blowout for a while, but New Jersey kept on truckin' and Marcus Williams went off in the 4th. Good game.Note: Apparently, Mike D'Antoni and Shawn Marion were going at it during a timeout for reportedly about 45 seconds, after Marion missed 2 big free throws. I guess Marion wanted to leave the huddle twice, but they made him stay. Hmmmmmm...Was I the only one here that watched the full game?
NopeThey sure did make it interesting there at the end. I think Lawrence Frank made a mistake there but not replacing Nachbar or Adams with Carter earlier. Still a well-played game. Good defensive effort for 3 quarters. Back to .500!
Nope I saw the game too.Amare played really well! Thank god last game was due to flue instead of his knee hurting or whatnot. Since being a starter he has averaged like 20/9 a game. VERY impressive, and he has slowly been getting a lot better and meshing with teammates a LOT better.
The f*cking suns should be REALLY glad they didn't end up GIVING this one to the Nets... Because they ALMOST f*cking did... They were up by 18 or something at the end of the 3rd quarter, and did their typical "Let's let them back into the game" bullsh** they normally do in the 4th quarter... Only THIS time Nash had to save their asses again!Marion needs to go... I was really into the guy all last season until he completely disappeared in the Playoffs... And now he's suckin' ass with his shot selection in every game, jacking up that bizarre looking shot of his from the 3 point line WAY too often, and only something like 31% of them are going in... Shawn, you are NOT a 3 point shooter, so stop trying it and stick to 15 footers and cutting to the basket for christ's sake!!!Marion for KG I see it happening this February dammit!
Suns fans are way too tough on Marion but I wouldn't mind trading him. Not because of this game but because I just don't see him and Amare co-existing on this team for very long. They can get some talent for Marion and they'll need to get a deal done soon. I love what he can bring to the team but he shoots too much and his ego is ginormous.
This was a really good game tonight. A lot of fun to be there. I don't really understand why everyone is being so hard on Marion. I mean, sure, he takes a lot of bad shots that he isn't good at, but he is a very athletic player and brings a lot to the team.
