<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> December 8, 2006 - 7:30 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix Suns</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">(11-6)</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:#FF6600">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Leandro Barbosa, Kurt Thomas, Jalen Rose, Marcus Banks, James Jones</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(5-12)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Sebastian Telfair</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Tony Allen</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West, Gerald Green, Rajon Rondo, Brian Scalabrine, Leon Powe</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak will not play (sprained right ankle)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Kendrick Perkins will not play (plantar fasciitis)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Theo Ratliff will not play (lower back)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Michael Olowokandi will not play (strained abdominal muscle)</span> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#6600CC">Steve Nash</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 21.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 11.5 apg</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 16.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg (18.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg as a starter)</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 19.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.7 bpg</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Leandro Barbosa</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 18.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 25.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 21</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Leon Powe</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 49</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">4.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.8 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Allan Ray</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Marcus Banks</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Season Stats: 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 86% FT</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Marcus will most likely get extended time for two reasons: one, it will most likely be a blowout win for Phoenix, and two, Nash might sit a little extra tonight due to the game last night. Marcus needs to play pressure defense and prove to Doc that he made a mistake with him.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 5.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.6 apg, 57% 3FG (leads NBA)</span> <span style="color:#009900">Every game against Phoenix is a scoring contest. Without Wally, Gerald has to try and continue his hot streak and put up some scoring numbers again. Go get 'em G-Money!</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">Marion always played great against us, and both of these two guys are top 15 players in the league (probably top 12, actually).</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes Phoenix might be a little tired about that 2OT thriller last night vs. New Jersey in which they won 161-157 (incredible!!!). Awwww hell, for old time sake: "GO GET 'EM MAH-CUS!!!" CelticBalla's Prediction No way in hell should we win this game.
My two favourite teams goin' head-head... I'd be lying if I said I'd like Boston to win this one, only because the Suns've got momentum, and the longest winning streak currently in the league... I say the Suns take this one easily, but if they're upset by the C's, I won't be too disappointed either...
OK guys, I guess Doc will not reward Gerald for his great play and TA will start at the 2 tonight. EDIT: So yeah, Wally is sitting out again (on his way to Philadelphia? haha just kidding).
Amare Is always getting into foul trouble latley and not taking enough shots, not happy with that. anyway decent game, Suns Win.
Good win for Phoenix. The Celtics were playing well, but the Suns came back at them with a nice 4th quarter to pull it out. After playing very sloppy the whole game the Suns only had 1 turnover in the 4th quarter. It was easy to see that they were pretty tired from playing yesterday's long game and then traveling to Boston so it was nice to see them get another win on the road. They deserve the rest they are getting tomorrow.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Dec 8 2006, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So how was EJ for you guys when our guys switched?</div> I liked him, he spoke very clearly, seemed like a nice guy, and he knew what he was talking about. How did you like Tommy? On the game, we played well considering this was Phoenix. I was very happy with our efforts, and some guys played very well tonight. Doc though, should have put Tony Allen in in the 4th! He was playing so well! Paul Pierce <u>36 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists on 10-24 shooting (7-14 from 3, 9-11 from the line)</u> Paul came out firing! He had 25 at halftime, and did alright (I guess) in the second half. He forced some shots but overall he played very well. Tony Allen <u>18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals on 7-17 shooting</u> TA played excellent ball tonight! He took it to the rack, hit a couple outside shots, pounded the offensive glass, played good defense, and ran hard. He missed too many layups, however, but he played an awesome game overall. Way to go TA! Ryan Gomes <u>18 points, 5 rebounds on 7-12 shooting</u> Gomes was Gomes. He hit his 18 foot jumpers, he hustled, and played tough. Solid game from Gomes. Sebastian Telfair <u>14 points, 5 assists, 2 steals on 7-12 shooting</u> In the second half, I absolutely loved what Bassy did. He was attacking the basket with ease, and he got a lot of easy buckets. I beleive he hit 6 shots/layups straight. Bassy had a not so good first half, but an excellent second half. Delonte West <u>8 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists on 4-11 shooting</u> Delonte made a couple nice plays, but AS USUAL he didn't shoot well. I don't understand what is up with him, man. Last year, he was an excellent and efficient player/shooter. This year, every night he shoots a bad percentage. Al Jefferson <u>6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block on 2-6 shooting</u> Our team is stupid. GET THE BALL TO BIG AL MORE!!!! MY GOD! Gerald Green <u>6 points, 5 rebounds on 3-9 shooting (0-3 from 3) in 17 minutes</u> Well, Gerald didn't shoot the ball very well tonight. He did hustle though, and he was pretty solid on the glass. He did make two incredible plays in the 4th quarter though! He had a putback slam and then a George Gervin-like and-1 cradle layup. Defensively, not great but not bad, he contested shots and was active. Rajon Rondo <u>3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists on 1-3 shooting in 13 minutes</u> He should have played more, plain and simple. He played pretty well while he was out there. This kid needs more playing time, man. Leon Powe <u>2 points, 3 rebounds in 9 minutes</u> Powe did an excellent job when he was in there. He was very active and he was banging. Scal wasn't playing well, Powe should have taken a few minutes from him. Brian Scalabrine <u>1 rebound, 3 assists on 0-3 shooting in 26 minutes</u> His defense wasn't anything to brag about tonight, he really didn't do all that much. There is NO reason he should have played more than Al Jefferson tonight. That's ridiculous, Doc. Overall, we played an excellent game considering it was Phoenix. We came out firing right away and we brought energy and heart all night long. That's all you can ask for. Nice job young C's! Next Game Tomorrow night @ New Jersey (7:30 pm ET).
Good game I heard..I wasnt home but I heard G Money had a nice put back dunkbtw ASUFan Tommy's been calling the games for like 20 years
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Dec 8 2006, 09:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Good game I heard..I wasnt home but I heard G Money had a nice put back dunkbtw ASUFan Tommy's been calling the games for like 20 years</div>yeah, I think this is his 26th year. they were empahasizing the 25th anniversary last year.I didn't get to see the game, because I had/have a tournament this weekend. But it seemed like we played them well. Why is it that TA always plays better when I'm NOT watching. ugh..
Wow I was almost afraid that the Celtics would upset Phoenix tonite... They came real damned close, and if it wasn't for Nash hitting some clutch shots in the last coupla minutes, they just might've!
