@ <font color="Orange">The Phoenix Suns (11-20)</font> @ <font color="Blue">The Los Angeles Clippers (12-14)</font> Time: 10:30 Eastern Place: The Staples Center TV: Local, NBALP ===================================== Probable Starting Lineups: Stephon Marbury/Marko Jaric Joe Johnson/Quentin Richardson Shawn Marion/Corey Maggette Scott Williams/Elton Brand Jahidi White/Chris Wilcox ===================================== Injuries: Phx- PF Amare Stoudemire Ankle IL PF Zarko Cabarkapa Wrist IL Lac- PF Melvin Ely Flu IL PG Eddie House Foot IL C Josh Moore Back Out ======================================= Notes*: Phx- It won't be easy for these guys to get back into the playoff picture even after Amare Stoudemire and Zark Cabarkapa get back. They're already 5 1/2 games out. Lac-There may be some late nights that Mike Dunleavy fantasizes that Gilbert Arenas did sign with the Clippers, but the thing is, they're playing pretty well anyway. *Thanks to Sportsline.com ====================================== Keys off the Bench: <ul> [*]Penny is not the player we all thought he would crack up to be, but he is still dangerous, when he is out there against LAC's second team he can be deadly [/list] <ul> [*]Bobby Simmons has been playing the best basketball of his career this month, he is a good role player and has a decent shot, he could be a dagger on the 2nd team. [/list] ======================================= Key Players: <ul> [*]Shawn Marion is playing his best basketball of the season, though it is not enough to get his team a W. He has a smaller defender on him and he needs to take advantage of that and post up [/list] <ul> [*]Quentin Richardson is coming off 2 great games for the Clippers and this could end up being a shoot out between Q rich, Maggette, and marbury, Marion. If Quentin Richardson gets going, it will be a long night for the Suns [/list] ======================================== Keys to the Game: Phx- Contain Elton Brand, Joe Johnson needs to play tight D on Q Rich and also needs to hit his shots, he has a really nice shot, he is just very inconcistent(sp), Marbury needs to have a decent shooting night, he will get the ball around, but the big key is Shawn Marion who is perhaps playing the best ball of his career, he needs to post up Maggette, drive to the hoop, and hit his shots. The Suns need to keep the Clippers off the board, especially Brand and Richardson. Lac- Feed Brand let him go one on one with his opponent, he should dominate, and if they double him, he needs to kick it out to the open man. Chris Wilcox is playing amazing ball and will be a star in the future, he is going up against an opponent with a similar build, Jahidi white. C Maggs and Q Rich need to hit their shots, Q rich is going up against Joe Johnson so he should drive to the hoop and go to the low post. ===================================== Prediction: The Clippers by 7
I have to disaree with you on this one. I say the Suns take this one in the 3rd. It's going to be close until then. Shawn Marion is going to play outstanding basketball leading into the Suns win. Suns by 5.
Got to go with the Clippers. Although they just lost to Raptors, they will come out with vengence. Brand will dominate tonight. Clipps by 4
Brand will pulverise them, just a pity we can't see him go toe to toe with Amare. Maggette on Marion will be worth the admission price alone. Clippers by 14.
Clippers by 12, I enjoy watching the Clippers. Even went to the Sixer/Clipper game in LA the day after Christmas while I was up there, really fun team to watch, I'm going to start to follow them more.
Wow Stephon Marbury was straight fire..he scorched us tonight....Clipps lose yet again...113-105 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">-- Stephon Marbury could not be stopped. Marbury scored a season-high 40 points in a terrific all-around game, lifting the Phoenix Suns to a 113-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. An All-Star point guard, Marbury made 15-of-23 shots while collecting nine assists and five steals. In his 11th career 40-point game, he destroyed Clippers guards Marko Jaric, Doug Overton and Keyon Dooling as he came within three points of his best output with the Suns. </div> Full Recap Box Score
To be honest, I never really liked him, he's a ballhog isn't he? But damn....that was impressive. 30 footer to boot....maybe I was wrong about him?
I like Starbury, i dont think he is a ball hog if he gets 9 assits and earlier this year i think he had 17 assists...he is an amazing pg.. he can pass, slash, hit the outside shot...what more do you need?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VAs Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">I like Starbury, i dont think he is a ball hog if he gets 9 assits and earlier this year i think he had 17 assists...he is an amazing pg.. he can pass, slash, hit the outside shot...what more do you need?</div>I agree totally. Marbury is one of my favourite players in the league. He leads his team, "detonating" picks, driving to the rim, getting to the line, dishing the ball. One of the best.
My attitude on Marbury changed last year, when I thought he was the best PG in the league and deserving of MVP votes. He's also developed into one of the best shooters in the game, his jumper is just beautiful to watch. Man, he just took over last night, Clipps played zero D, but I don't think it would have mattered. Stephon was in a zone.
