<div align="center"> @ </div> <div align="center">When? 8:00 PM EST</div> <div align="center">Where? Target Center</div> <div align="center">_______________________</div> <font color="Orange"><div align="center">Phoenix Suns Lineup & Coach</div></font> <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> <div align="center">___________________________</div> CourtKing's Word: That's right, Amare Stoudemire coming off his first 50 point game as a pro ( :dancepart ) so you better watch out and he has been known to have some of his best games against KG and the Wolves (he had 37 in a game last year). But don't forget about the other Suns... Shawn Marion has been a double-double machine for us latly and I hope that he can keep this up. He is averaging 19 and 11 boards this season, he shouldn't have a difficult time guarding Ervin Johnson who got the start last game for the Wolves. Quentin Richardson got off to a slow start but now has been turning things around. Q-Rich is now up to 15.3 points per game and is always definaly a threat to hit from downtown. Joe Johnson can do a little bit better. I expected a little more from JJ this year. All of his numbers (except rebounds and three point %) have been down for JJ this season. Hopefully he can step it up as he goes up against Wally. And finally Steve Nash, the leader for this Suns team has been handing out dimes like crazy. As Mike D'Antoni said after a game, "I don't know how we got this guy...". Nash has looked like the man that we wanted when we signed him in the off-season. <div align="center">_________________________________</div> <font color="Teal"><div align="center">T'Wolves Starters & Coach</div></font> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">Flip Saunders</div> <div align="center">______________________________</div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">(Sam Cassell, Wally Szczerbiak, Latrell Sprewell, Kevin Garnett, Ervin Johnson)</div> <div align="center">CourtKing's Word: The team lead and built around Kevin Garnett. Without a dout one of the best players in the league as he fills up the stat sheet every night. The former MVP is putting up impressive numbers once again, 23 points and 15 boards a night. Possibly on track to win another MVP award this season. Wally, Wally, Wally Szczerbiak has steped it up this year with Latrell Sprewell not playing his best ball. Latrell's numbers are down, way down, only 12 points per game last year compared to last year's 16. </div> <div align="center">______________________________</div> <div align="center">Key Matchup</div> <div align="center"></div> <u>Predicted Stats:</u> <font color="Orange">Amare Stoudemire: </font>32 points, 11-17 FG, 7 boards, 1 block <font color="Teal">Kevin Garnett:</font> 28 points, 14 boards, 4 assits, 2 blocks Definatly one of the best matchup's down low all season. Amare Stoudemire, fresh off his first 50 point game as a pro going up against one of the best in the league Kevin Garnett. Also both players are expected to be front runners for this year's MVP award <div align="center">___________________________</div> Prediction Time: Another big test for the Suns. They failed their first test badly against the Spurs one of the elite teams in the league. This is another night for the Suns to prove to the league that they too can be considered one of the "elite" teams in the league. As I mentioned before one of the best matchups of the year, Amare Stoudemire going up against MVP Kevin Garnett. The Suns have to contain KG, not stop him but contain him from having one of those nights. The T'Wolves will be leading at the half but not for long, Amare will have another big night and take the game over in the second half scoring 20 of his 32 points in the second half. Nash with double-digit assits again this year and I am expecting a Suns victory. Suns - 108 T'Wolves - 102
I'd love to see D'antoni give Hunter some solid minutes against KG, see what he can do this time around, seeing as how he was effective in the last matchup, just too late. Even if he isn't an actual match, his presence may put some pressure on KG. Definitely looking forward to this game.
What a finish!!! The Suns did what they were supposed to do, WIN! Amare is just a monster (I loved the play where he broke KG's ankles and then dunked) Of coruse KG had his normal amazing performance. Its too bad KG is on the wrong team.
Hats off to the Suns. The kept their composure and took the game. The Suns seem to be like the Kings use to be, very fun to watch. It's hard to think of other players who are as fierce as Amare. Right now the future MVP's look like Nash (who has the edge) and Amare. Nash is the new piece that has made the most difference.
The Suns one, but one note I have to make, Q-Rich took 17 three's in the game, that's more than some <u>teams</u> take, he made 4 of those 17 three's. The Suns were launching jumpshots which allowed Minnesotta to creep in, but were able to survive even after Amare got tossed, good game, Amare is just a beast, his agressiveness has made a huge gap between him and Yao, now he needs that same agressiveness on the glass and defensively.
Like some shooters Q-tip is either on or off. I wish he would use his head and realize, "Hey i'm shooting like crap tonight, maybe i should create for others?". Amare, in my opinion, should be leading the All-Star ballots. The performances he's had lately are showing why he should be considered for the MVP.
I have to agree here anytime a player takes 17 thress he better be making at least 8 of them and Q only made 4 of them. Q has to take his game inside more like he did in his Clipper days, I think the Suns want him to be that outside threat but he just has to take his game inside. He is a good post of guard which is rare and he has to use that to his advantage. Q alone took more threes then the T'Wolves team. Q is either on or off from the three point line and if he knows its an off day he has to stop taking them, not jack up 10 more. Other then Q jacking up threes this game was perfect, we beat a West contender. I feel bad for KG though, he gives it his all every night and nobody steps up to be a #2 scorer. Amare had another great game along with Marion and Nash. JJ is in this little slump though.
If JJ stays in his slump, he's gonna find himself coming off the bench instead of Q if they ever decide to start Hunter at C (or acquire another full-time starter center).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">If JJ stays in his slump, he's gonna find himself coming off the bench instead of Q if they ever decide to start Hunter at C (or acquire another full-time starter center).</div> I would say that game was JJ coming out of his slump really. His shooting percentage nearly doubled compared to the previous 3 games or so. He didn't take as many shots because he was playing point since Barbosa is down with the chickenpox. He got good assist numbers and contributed to the scoring. I'd say it was a good game for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">I would say that game was JJ coming out of his slump really. His shooting percentage nearly doubled compared to the previous 3 games or so. He didn't take as many shots because he was playing point since Barbosa is down with the chickenpox. He got good assist numbers and contributed to the scoring. I'd say it was a good game for him.</div> Yeah, you're probably right. But Q has also been playing well, even considering his wonky high # of 3's attempted. Putting that aside, his contributions to rebounding, ball movement and steals have been pretty hot lately. That said, I'd rather see JJ come back as the badass we know he can be.
