<div align="center"> @ </div> <div align="center"><font color="Orange">Phoenix Suns (24-4)</font> @ <font color="DeepSkyBlue">New Orleans Hornets (2-25)</font></div> <div align="center">When? 12/29/04, 8:00 EST | 5:00 PST</div> <div align="center">_________________________</div> <u><div align="center">Phoenix Suns Lineup</div></u> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">(Mike D'Antoni)</div> <div align="center">_________________________</div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">(Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire)</div> Courtking's Word: The Suns got embaressed last night against the Spurs, basicly saying that we can't run with the top teams of the West, and we are just one of those offensive teams that do well in the regular season and fluke in the playoffs. Well the Suns are on a misson now, trying to prove that they CAN win with this small lineup, that an offensive minded team CAN win the NBA Championship. With poor games from Marion, Q, and JJ last night they should bounce back with a big band. <div align="center">_______________________________________</div> <u><div align="center">New Orleans Hornets</div></u> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">(Byron Scott)</div> <div align="center">_________________________</div> <div align="center"></div> (Baron Davis, Jim Jackson, Lee Nailon, Matt Freije, PJ Brown) <font color="DarkRed">Note: Unsure of what lineup would look like, that is what it would probably look like, but after Baron Davis coming off of an injury and Jim Jackson recently aquired nobody knows what this lineup will look like.</font> <div align="center">___________________________________</div> Courtking's Word: I wouldn't want to be ANY member of the Hornets right now, playing one of the best teams in the league after they got crushed by the Spurs. I don't think its going to be a happy sight in New Orleans tonight. This has the potential to be a big blow out in the Suns favor. The Hornets have yet to find an idenity under new coach Byron Scott and have one of the worst records in the league. <div align="center">________________________________</div> <div align="center">Game MVP</div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">(Shawn Marion)</div> <div align="center">Predicted Stats: 26 points, 10-18 FG, 13 boards, 4 steals</div> I think Marion will have another good game on both ends. 4 steals, 26 points I predict. Also big games from the X-Factors, Q and JJ, I think all three, Marion, Q, and JJ will finish with over 15 poins. <font size="2">CourtKing's Prediction</font> Suns runaway with this one, simple. They take a big lead in the first quarter leading by around 8 and they never look back. They take a double-digit lead at the half, the X-Factors (Q, JJ, Matrix) all having good games. I'll say Suns by 14... Suns - 104 Hornets - 90
I'm not sure about this but I don't think Jim Jackson will be playing. He is very upset about being traded by the Rockets and somebody in the Rockets forum said that he didn't report to the Hornets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 32 PHX/HOU 1:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not sure about this but I don't think Jim Jackson will be playing. He is very upset about being traded by the Rockets and somebody in the Rockets forum said that he didn't report to the Hornets.</div> Correct. Jim Jackson has been suspended by the Hornets indefinatly. Link Suns take an early lead, 24-18 after the first. Q is on fire 11 points. Nash has 7, and Amare follows with 4. <div align="center">___________________________</div> <u><div align="center">Key Stats</div></u> <div align="center">Quentin Richardson: 31 points, 11-23 FG, 9-16 3FG (franchise record), 11 boards</div> <div align="center">Steve Nash: 22 points, 8-11 FG, 9 assits, 3 turnovers</div> Q-Rich sets a franchise record for three point field goals made in a game with 9. Other then that I was shocked that the Hornets stayed with the Suns for so long, they slowed down Marion and Amare. Marion on 2-12 shooting for 9 points, and Amare 6-12 shooting for 15 points. Steven Hunter had a nice game off the bench, 4-5 shooting, 10 points, 5 boards, and a block. Another thing I noticed, from our center Amare Stoudemire, only 5 rebounds the whole game. Three players in our starting lineup had more, Q had 11, JJ had 8, and Marion had 7. If the Suns want to make a playoff run Amare has got to get better on this little rebounding slump that he is in.
I heard about those 9 3's he had. Not too impressive, Sprewell did it for us in NY J/K he dropped 31 and took advantage of what the D gave him. The Hornets should have never been close and the Suns took advantage all game. Quite a matchup of the ages the leagues worst team: 2-25 against the leagues best team: 24-4.
