Suns @ Clippers The Suns and Clips are about to tip off (by the time this is posted it may have started). This is going to be D'Antoni's second bid for a win. There's nothing like a battle between the two worst teams in the West. Should be a high-flying, high-scoring affair. The Suns yet again have an advantage at the PG spot, but the Maggette/Marion matchup should be very interesting. Wilcox can be dangerous and might have a nice stat line by the end of the game. The Suns can't fall into what happened with the Hornets, which is a great start, lackluster middle, and great end. They also can't afford to get behind in rebounds as much as they did against the Hornets. The Clippers frontcourt isn't anything to brag about, but against the Suns any frontcourt is bound to explode. *edit* It looks as if Elton Brand is playing and dominating. He has 11 points and 3 rebounds already. JJ had a great burst at the end of the quarter and now has 9 points. Suns getting beat on the boards by six but lead 27-26 at the end of the first quarter.
Halftime the score is 61-45 LAC... Brand- 13 and 5 Q Rich- 12pts 2 boards C maggz- 13 and 3 boards Wilcox- 5pts in 10 minutes Marbury- 12 and 5assissts Marion- 8 pts Joe Johnson- 11 pts
I believe the Clips have 12 offensive rebounds already. They scored four points in the beginning of the second half off of offensive boards. It's the same thing that killed the Suns against the Hornets.
Amare's absence isn't conducive to just the Suns getting killed on the boards, but now the teams the Suns face are penetrating to the key more than they used to. They are basically doing what the Suns should be doing and what the Suns did last year; penetrate and dish for the open jumper or get a shot downlow. That's how the Clippers killed the Suns last night besides on the boards. That's also what the Hornets were able to do. It's going to be a real tough road for the Suns until Amare and Zarko come back.
