Over the past week, we've discussed several different topics: back-to-backs, the Spurs record over the Suns, the way San Antonio has held Phoenix to the 2nd fewest points of the season. Yet all of those trends were kicked to the ground last night.
Back-to-Backs - As you may have read, the Suns are exceptionally good at winning the first game of a back-to-back series. For the season, they are 16-1 - a 94% winning percentage. But in the 2nd game of the season, they were only at .500 until last night's game. And they not only won the game, they won it handily. That brought them up to a .529 winning percentage.
Spurs record over Suns - The Suns have had a hard time beating the Spurs in years past. This year they are 3-1 against the 2007 Champions. The Spurs wanted the game pretty bad. They certainly didn't want to give up any mental edge to the Suns. But with Phoenix winning 75% of the games this season. The only loss was an 84-81 game where the Suns lead most of the game until the last few minutes.
Non-scoring against San Antonio - This wasn't a huge change from the other games but it was still 5 points over their average from the first three games against the Spurs. Phoenix scored 100 in their first game in San Antonio. They scored 96 last night.
Overall, I was very pleased with the Suns' performance. They kept their heads in the game, they were able to fend off some of the rough play that the Spurs tried to get into and even gave some of it back. They took a close game and blew it wide open in the 4th quarter - enough that Coach Popovich put the scrubs in with about 4 minutes left in the game.
What did you think of the game? Does this change your predictions of where we'll end up in the standings and how we'll fare in the playoffs? Leave your comments below.
Comments
iLoveTheSuns - T.dot
Yesterday's game was very exciting for me, mainly because of how much i dislike the spurs. but aside from that, its exciting because looking at the schedule, the spurs have to face the lakers once more by the end of the season. this is GREAT news because one of them have got to lose! so that will drop either team down. with that said, phoenix just gotta win their remaining games, which are all very winnable. if the suns just do what they do, we've got a very very good chance of moving up in the standings. i cant wait till the playoffs start though, no matter where the suns end up. It's our year, lets go get it! GO SUNS !!
chelley - phoenix
I am very, very, very impressed with how this team pulled it off with Amare and Shaq being in foul trouble. It just seemed like for so long, we just could not get pass the Spurs, now granted, we have won the series but the playoffs are nearing and there is the possiblity we could face them again, but for now I am just so thankful that they responded, that everyone responded and BORIS, that's what we want to see, good job!! continue to play like that. I am happy for the Suns right now, now keep this momentum for every game. The Spurs are still a good team but as far as Bowen is concerned, not taking away from the kind of player he is really is, there is no professional integrity in his defending, its a little out of control, and I would like to see Amare keep his cool because we don't need another mess like last year. Anyways great job fellas!!!
Kyle - PHX!
im just hoping that we win out the rest of the games and the lakers lose to san antonio and new orleans,cause if that happens then we would win the pacific division i think.and ive been saying for a while that no one will be able to beat usin the playoffs cause of our size now
GO SUNS !!!
Stan - California
Before Shaq, Duncan allways dominated the Suns, but last night with Shaq on him he looked feeble. Shaq holds his ground and does'nt go for Duncans fakes. Duncans outside shot is very over rated, Shaq was giving him the 18 footers and Duncan made a few but for the most part he was scoreless in the 2nd half. Shaq & Suns also did a great job limiting Spurs to one shot with great rebounding. If any team plays Shaq single coverage he can score all night at a 75% clip. Nash did a great job getting Shaq the ball where he needs it. It was great to see the Suns utilizing Shaq more in the 2nd half giving him more chances to score. The Suns have to be the most feared team in the West. They are a 3 headed Hydra monster with Amare, Nash, Shaq.
Antoinette Silago - Phoenix, AZ
I would say 'Bring it ON!!' At this point, I Suns can shut down anyone in the WEST!! We see a game like last night and a game like the first game again BOSTON!!! The SUNS can REALLY take on anyone!! It was a GREAT game as well when we played Hornets with the double overtime... Lots want to see the Suns match up with Lakers (so we can embarass them for the third time in a year) by taking them out the first round... But then again I also hear that they want to see them matched up the Spurs to see them beat them out!! I think they are ready to take on anybody and they have the heart and will to WIN!! GO SUNS.. We (true fans) are behind you and LOVE you!!!
Michael Miller - Coronado California
Hey,
Does the win, against The Spurs, change my belief in how far we will go in the playoffs? No, I can't say that it does. I knew when Shaq came to The Suns that Phoenix was headed to the finals. Shaq wants a fith ring, maybe a sixth, and he is going to get it. Just you wait and see!
Daniel - Gilbert
It makes me feel much better about facing the SPURS but it doesn't give me any more confidence against the Lakers or the Jazz. I see us having big problams against teams with multiple bigs that can shoot well (Gasol-Odom,Okur-Boozer) Shaq is incapable of affectively guarding them. I have to say I love the defense of Hill and Diaw though, those guys are long and are great at guarding players at multipe positions. I don't know why D'Antoni keeps trying to have Nash guard other teams scorers, he just can't do it!
michael cox - Anchorage
Long time Sun's fan from the 70s,yes betting them is very important.Ducan is a tough dude,they would never had won those championships without that wing span of his.But we have I Think even at 36 when push come's to shove still the best in the business.Play tough,and with a chip on your shoulder,go Sun's
larry - palmerston North,NZ
I definately agree...I was reading the stats sheet of the game, and I couldnt be more impressed, the SUNS did everything right, and when you consider the situation we were in, second game of back to back, and in their home court, and to throughly thrash the spurs like that!
I think that the SUNS are finally showing up to what we are expecting them to do, tomorrows game against houston, even if Shane Battier is not playing, if we can pull another win off, than the SUNS will definately have a easier road in the playoffs!! GO SUNS GO!!!
John S. - Surprise AZ
Any Suns fan that wasn't in basketball heaven during the Suns, Spurs game can't be called a Suns supporter. This is what we fans have dreamed of for years, a big man to compliment Amare. That it happens to be "the" big man in basketball history is a fantasy come true. How will we do in the playoffs? Well, here goes my prediction, based on the premis that everyone stays healthy, and no "freaky" problems arise. Suns finish fifth in the seeding standings. After much nail biting, heart failure, and loss of voice, the dust settles and Suns are staring across at the Boston Celtics for championship. Finally, after seven of the best, and most watched playoff games in recent NBA history, Suns throw the biggest parade and celebration ever seen in Phoenix, as CHAMPIONS OF THE NBA.
Germanexpress - Manila, Phils.
Shaq was the big difference in that game.. Age 36?
Tim looked like a baby in that match - up ^_^
Peace out
James - Utah
Were a Championship team. Just wait. We have all the pieces we need. As long as we play with intensity and passion then will be fine. We can rebound now and we can play both half-court and fast-break. This is the best bench we have had in the Nash-era. I believe we can beat anybody in a 7-game series. We don't need home-court, though it would be nice. This is are year.
Clervaux Auguste - Elizabeth, New Jersey
The depth of the spurs win tells me they have a chance in a very tough Western conference.
James - Utah
As long as we play with intensity and passion then we will win. Thats what I notice about this team. We have been playing well and proving people wrong. I also noticed that in our 4 loses over the past 17 games that we did not play with that intensity and passion which is why we lost those games. New Orleans, L.A. and the Jazz may have owned us in this season, but we haven't played them in about a month or two; were a completely different team since then. We can take them now.
Madz Victor - Manila Philippines
Hi Sir Hilton! I wasn't able to watch the whole game actually. I just able to catched up the 4th quarter which Coach Mike used Shaq to attack the defense of Tim D which resulted for the win. I think those critics of the acquiring Shaq are starting to realized that the idea really is working and well studied. The good thing in Suns now is they have so many options both in defense and offense with the presence of Amari and Shaq, not to mention the shooters like LB, Steve, Diaw, Grant, and Gericik. If we surpass Houston for the tomorrow's game and Friday's game (vs. Warriors), then I think, we still have the chance to gain Home court advantage. Perhaps, coach Mike said, they dont really care now for whom they will face and where the battle will happen as his Guys are well prepared and equipped for the playoffs after acquiring Shaq. One writer said (I cant remember the name) that the presence of Shaq in the bench is enough already for his team mates to boost thier moral. I dont agree with this, I'm a big fan of Shaq, since he was in Magic (where he's able to broke Rims), Lakers and Heat. In fairness to Shaq, he is the most dominant center ever (as of this time)in basketball history. with his age, i think, he is true that Age is nothing but numbers. If New Orleans will win tomorrow against Lakers, then there still a chance for the Suns to clinch the Division and will gain home court advantage for the playoffs. Cheers! May Sun will rise in Arizona! Go Suns!
Patrick - Makati , Philippines
Eversince, I never doubted the Suns, I believe they can beat those Spurs anytime and anywhere. Records from previous seasons against the Spurs mean nothing at all, especially now that we have The Big Cactus on our roster. I think we really have a good chance on getting the ring this season. The Suns just have to stay focused and stay away from early foul troubles and that's it, all will be easy. GO SUNS!!!
Robert S. - Heber Az, Trinidad, Co.
I actually liked the obvious shift of gears as the game progressed. For once(myopinion) Coach D changed the pace on purpose and at different times to intentionally fluster the key SA players and put a wrench in Coach Popovichs machine. Now all the Suns have to do is play smarter and stop obvious fouls and we can win a 7 game series against any team in the league. I believe that comissioner Stern (by now) has gotten rid of the referees that "may have altered games due to betting in organized syndicates and non-legal venues" and if so we can expect the fouls to be called equally on both teams. Now that Dirks back we can expect a great post-season.
deb - dallas
The Suns had their game on--despite thugs like Bowen. Playoffs should be quite interesting--and I hope we meet the Spurs again. I think they probably have a little respect now that they've been burned again.
Quincy Ware - Indianapolis,Indiana
I think they will be allright, I also believe that shag will get another ring this year. Please tell the sun's to stay focus!!!!!!
Chad Chaffee - Maricopa, AZ
I am extremely happy about this win over San Antonio. I think this gives us a real shot at still winning the Pacific Division is LAL lose to the Hornets and Spurs these final games, we have a real shot.
As far as how far we go, I believe we can make it to the finals very easily as long as we stay focused, and can dynamically shift from our run and gun to our half-court offense and back throughout the playoffs.
coconut shack (shaq) - hawaii
family has row 2 under suns basket season tix from 1980 until today, so we have seen the wars.
In the past teams that were in heated battles with others honed their skills. It took Detroit to push Chicago, LA to push San Antonio, LA and Boston banging, etc.
Now we have the great battles of San Antonio and Phoenix.
I contend that newly solid teams like New Orleans, LA and Boston have not had the wars and battles that the Suns have been through.
It will make them tougher for the brutal west and then it will have toughened them for Boston or Detroit.
Suns take Boston in 6 at home in their 40th year.
Jaret - Phx
I just have to say that was one of the greatest games i have seen in a long time. I was a little scared at half tame but when the suns went on their run it was all downhill for the spurs. I knew we could do it and i hope we meet the spurs in the playoffs, that would be a great series.
John Doney - Greenville, SC
Where are the Spurs fans???
Scorch 'Em Suns!
Gian Carlo - Warwickshire,England
Shaq dominates,let the big man do his thing.Shaq practicing humility in respect to coach D's outlook in Phoenix ballgame. Every time coach D is throwing Shaq to the fray, what he does is make his teammates look good. Coach D, for you to realize your goal, utilized Shaq as much as possible, and he will bring you to the promise land!
Andrew Adair - tyler, texas
I think the suns now with shaq has a good chance with playing the spurs... Him and stoudemire can slow down duncan and whoever duncan guards the other one will score
jay mayo - chesapeake,va
Adding shaq was a great move.Amare has more freedom and can play his true position.Grant Hill is the key.I see us winning it all.
R. Gonzales - San Antonio, TX
Okay...Spurs won game one. We are the champs. Suns fans you can't sit there and acually think that this will be easy. We will take game two that is a guarantee. I call round one in 5 - Spurs. We know how you guys operate we have to much on you all. Not your year Suns....sorry.
jay in sa - sa tx
hahaha game 1 down.....spurs win!!!! im excited to see how this battle goes. suns are a great team and this should be a very good series. GO SPURS!!!!
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