Seattle @ Golden State Details: Who: (25-28) vs (23-30) Where: The Arena in Oakland When: Saturday, Feb 21st, 7:30pm TV: KONG Projected Lineups: PG: Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ray AllenRonald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic/Ansu Sesay PF: Calvin BoothVladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans C: Vitaly PotapenkoJerome James/Calvin Booth Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Speedy Claxton/Nick Van Exel/Avery Johnson SG: Jason Richardson/Calbert Cheaney SF: Brian Cardinal/Calbert Cheaney/Mickael Pietrus PF: Calvin Booth/Popeye Jones C: Vitaly Potapenko/Adonal Foyle Coached by Eric Musselman Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Brent Barry: broken finger, on IL. Injury List Mike Dunleavy: sprained ankle, doubtful. Troy Murphy: bone bruise, on IL. Evan Eschmeyer, knee surgery, on IL. Analysis: The battle of the placings, really. Both Seattle and Golden State look out of the running for a playoff berth, and the Warriors look to wrap up their first season series win over the Sonics since 1991/92. For Golden State Mile Dunleavy is struggling to come up with an ankle sprain, while Seattle continue to struggle in the absence of Brent Barry, who sits on the sidelines with a broken finger on his shooting hand. Both clubs were heavily involved in trade deadline discussions, particularly surrounding the likes of Barry, Radmanovic, Murray and Erick Dampier, but neither team made a trade. Slam Dunk Epic Flashback to All Star weekend, 2003, and the dunk contest. Without the likes of Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant, the contest was expected to be a bore. Enter Desmond Mason, then with Seattle, and Jason Richardson, who staged an epic final. Mason looked to have it in the bag after scoring a 50 on his first dunk, but a miss on his second allowed Richardson back in. He did not disappoint, scoring a perfect 50 on his final dunk to upstage Mason and temporarily bring some life back into the contest. [quoteright] "My position going into the summertime now, becoming a free agent, I have opportunities to go and play somewhere where I have a choice in the matter. Whether that is here or someplace else. It just depends on how important it is for Seattle to keep me around in their scheme of things and what direction they're headed.” – Brent Barry on re-signing with the Sonics.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factors: - Crash the glass. Guys like Dampier, Cardinal, Robinson and even Richardson will kill the Sonics on the glass, particularly offensively, unless Seattle’s big men come to play. Often this is not the case, and is why so often the Sonics are killed by second chance points. - Put a body on defensively. The game against Philadelphia was painful to watch simply because no one wanted to play some physical defense, and Golden State have the slashers to take advantage of any soft defending. - Feed Rashard Lewis early. Against Philadelphia Lewis was in early foul trouble, and was really a non factor when the game was on the line. He is a confidence player, so feeding him the ball early and hoping he gets off to a hot start will make life difficult for the Warriors. Key Matchup: Ray Allen vs Jason Richardson Interestingly enough, in the two times the Warriors have beaten Seattle this season Richardson has had a big impact, and in the single Sonics win he was effectively a spectator as he struggled all night. Fresh off losing his Slam Dunk title to unheralded Pacer Fred Jones, Richardson goes up against All Star Ray Allen in perhaps the most important match-up on the floor. Allen comes in after being the only Sonic to produce much in a disappointing loss to Philadelphia, and will know he needs to lead from the front against a talented, yet inconsistent Golden State team. Richardson will need to make sure he gets a hand in the face of Allen as much as possible, while at the other end Allen will need to concentrate on keeping Richardson off the boards, especially offensively. Richardson, despite standing around 6’3, is one of the best rebounding guards in the league. X-Factors: Reggie Evans – as ever, Golden State’s strength is their inside play, and in both occasions they’ve beaten Seattle this season it has been by scoring inside and crashing the boards at both ends. Evans generally doesn’t get a lot of minutes, but he may be needed in this one. Brian Cardinal – Seattle, like every other team, could have thrown a contract at this guy in the off-season, but he wasn’t given much of a look. Now he exhibits all the qualities the Sonics lack; defense, toughness, rebounding, and is carving a nice career for himself in California. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
The Warriors need to win this one after two 1 point losses in a row. The Warriors are definately capable of winning this one. I give this one to GS to win at home 98-91.
Isn't J-Rich listed at 6-5? The Warriors will most likely try their hardest and I'd give this to them if Dampier dominates the Sonics inside. Goldsen State takes it, 103-96.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Isn't J-Rich listed at 6-5?</div> Actually, J-Rich is listed at 6-6, not 6-3, or 6-5. Anyways, I think the Warriors will win this one if they are able to execute towards the end of games. That has been a problem their last 2 games, and that is the reason they have gave them away. But I look for them to get back on track tonight, I take Golden State by 3.
The Warriors have not played well on back to back days with games. Especially J-Rich, he has been horid in the second game. We need him to have a great night and offset Allen. The Warriors should win this one at home.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, J-Rich is listed at 6-6, not 6-3, or 6-5. Anyways, I think the Warriors will win this one if they are able to execute towards the end of games. That has been a problem their last 2 games, and that is the reason they have gave them away. But I look for them to get back on track tonight, I take Golden State by 3.</div> Here we go again....Jrich is listed at 6'6", however he is closer to being 6'2". I am 6'3" and was taller than him when I met him a few years ago.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics by 1.</div> Another one point loss, huh... - is this your reverse psychology at work?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics by 1.</div> LOL!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thePHentity:</div><div class="quote_post">his thumb is hurt. and that was a terrible 6th foul call on ray allen.</div> Yep, that was horrible, though I like it. Rashard Lewis is now gone as well, Warriors should win this one!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics by 1.</div> You know if this happens, there will be voodoo dolls with your name on it.
Brian Cardinal!! What a huge tip to give the Warriors another shot, and Cliff nailed it. It's amazing how consistently he can still hit those threes at this age. And then J-Rich's shot falling short, but getting his own rebound and putting it back. Warriors up 4 with about 16 seconds left. Flip Murray is trying to do it all by himself, not smart basketball. Edit: Warriors will win this one, Sonics needed Lewis/Allen in the final minutes, nothing you can do when they both foul out. They were forced to go to Flip and he just couldn't do it all, he forced up a couple shots in the final minutes of the game.
Hmmm...nevermind, Van Exel choked from the FT line, Sonics have the ball with 4.6 seconds left, down 3. WOW! Radmonovic(sp?) hit a 3 but it was called a 2, the foot looked on the line too me, good call. Warriors Win! Finally.
