Atlanta @ Phoenix - Game Thread - Friday Feb. 9, 2007 - 7:00 pm

[sunsfn]

Atlanta (18-30) at Phoenix (39-10)
Feb 09, 7:00 PM
US Airways Center
620/92.3
FSN AZ

By KATE HEDLIN, STATS Writer
At age 32, Steve Nash was putting up career numbers with the Phoenix Suns. Fans might have to wait a few more days to see what he does at 33.
Nash's status for Friday is questionable as Phoenix (39-10) hosts the Atlanta Hawks.
Nash missed his third game of the season on Wednesday, sitting out the team's 109-102 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The league's reigning two-time MVP experienced shoulder pain when he got out of bed last week, and on Monday, the pain forced him to sit out the second half of the team's 113-108 win over Denver.
Nash did not practice Thursday and wouldn't say whether he would play against the Hawks, but the veteran point guard doesn't believe the injury is something to be concerned about.
I think we'd probably want to err on the side of caution at this point," said Nash, who turned 33 on Wednesday. "I've already missed a game and a half. I'd rather miss another one rather than injuring it further and missing more games, so we've got to be careful when we assess it tomorrow night and make sure we're comfortable with it."
Nash is averaging career highs in points (19.3) and assists (11.8) while averaging 35.3 minutes -- third most on the team behind Shawn Marion and Raja Bell.

Phoenix has won five straight overall against Atlanta (18-30) and 12 of its last 14 home games against the Hawks, but coach Mike D'Antoni said that won't effect his decision for Friday.
"We wouldn't risk him no matter who we play," he said. "We'll work him tomorrow and if he feels no pain, he'll play and if he doesn't he'll wait until Sunday."
If Nash doesn't play Friday, his next chance will be at home on Sunday against Chicago.

Leandro Barbosa started in Nash's place on Wednesday, scoring 25 points. The Suns led by as many as 13 in the first quarter and they had a 14-point lead in the second before the Blazers rallied. Barbosa gave Phoenix a 3-point lead with 38.9 seconds left in regulation but Portland countered with one to send the game into overtime.
Amare Stoudemire scored the first five points of the extra period, and Barbosa hit back-to-back 3-pointers.
"Barbosa really came out in the second half and picked it up," said Stoudemire, who had 36 points. "He's been there all season long for us."
The Suns are 4-9 without Nash in the lineup since he arrived in Phoenix in 2004, but have won two of the three games he's missed this season.
Atlanta hopes to take advantage of Nash's absence and avoid a third straight loss. The Hawks have lost three of four to start February after going 8-7 in January -- their first winning month since going 5-3 in January 2004.

Atlanta begins a five-game West Coast road trip following an 87-85 home loss to the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Josh Smith led the team with 20 points and nine rebounds before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter, while Marvin Williams added 19 and nine, respectively.
Rookie Jeremy Richardson, who signed his second 10-day contract prior to the game, missed a potential game-winning 20-footer in the closing seconds.
"It's always tough to lose, no matter how you lose it," Williams said. "We all felt we'd win the game."
The Hawks have won three straight on the road, where they are 9-15.
The Suns, who are 20-4 in Phoenix, are trying to avoid consecutive home losses for the first time since losing to Utah and Dallas on Nov. 3 and 9.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=AliTloJHLCYRo5TtrIUkRig5nYcB?gid=2007020921

 

[sunsfn]

We had a tough game at Portland without Nash, but I think the back to back had something to do with that. Atlanta is as good as Portland, but Portland has Randolph, and he is a major problem in close games.

In checking the box scores on this team this year, they did okay until Lue was hurt and have picked it up since he has come back. They are starting Lorenzon Wright in the middle for defense and bringing Zaza off the bench. Surprisingly Josh Childress started out the year scoring and playing well, but has dropped off recently. Josh Smith is starting to find his game and is going to be an excellent player, while Salim Stoudamire is finding a lot of dnp's behind his name lately, not sure why. Shelden Williams is just so so and still am not sure why they drafted him so high. Of course the same thing happened two years ago when they drafted Marvin Williams instead of a point guard. JJ's scoring was high at the start and faltered some, but that has picked up since Lue has returned. Speedy Claxton has played ok for them.

There has been reports that some teams have inquired about Lue, but this team can not do anything regarding trades until the ownership problem gets resolved sometime in early March. Lue is a good point guard that can score and play some defense and would make an excellent veteran presence on a playoff team.

Should be a fun game to watch, and I think the suns will win by about 10.

 

[sunsfn]

This game is on HD!

 

[TJ]

I cant watch it :-(

 

[az1965]

This team is VERY different without Nash

 

[az1965]

offense stinks

 

[just do it]

Banks comes in, and the suns don't score. Time for another Banks apologist to come and tell me to give him break "he needs more playing time" the dude sucks.

 

[TJ]

Jalen Rose needs to come in for Banks

 

[TJ]

for someone who is as meticulous about his lineup as D'antoni is, im surprised he is keeping Banks in the rotation

 

[HooverDam]

for someone who is as meticulous about his lineup as D'antoni is, im surprised he is keeping Banks in the rotation

I for one am glad, Banks needs time to find himself, its part of being a young player. We saw James Jones continue to get minutes while he struggled, and its paying off now, hopefully the same thing will happen with Banks. I do agree that Jalen Rose needs to get some minutes in this game.

The Suns are doing a good job of trying to run the offense through Amare tonight, but so far he's like 1-8, struggling a bit. They need to keep trying it, eventually he'll wear the Hawks down- or do like he just did and pass out of a double team to a cutting Jr Jones for a bucket and 1.

 

[az1965]

Is this the Suns team we have been following all season long???

 

[az1965]

We have more TO 9 then assists 8.

3 pointers keeping us in the game.

 

[TJ]

No reason why this team should be beating us. We should be slaughtering them by 15 easily

 

[az1965]

Suns brought half ass effort and if don't wakeup in the 2nd half might get embarrased today on the home court. I hope there is some serious ass chewing in the locker room right now.

 

[Chaplin]

Looks like Amare's alarm clock went off at halftime.

 

[az1965]

Looks like Amare's alarm clock went off at halftime.

that's what I was thinking... so far it is Amare's quarter

 

[TJ]

looking better

 

[TJ]

This is the SUns team that I know and love

 

[Covert Rain]

Is it me or has Amare starting taking over games since Nash has been out?

 

[az1965]

Enter Banks: Lead disappears like lightening

 

[TJ]

Enter Banks: Lead disappears like lightening

This is ridiculous

 

[just do it]

Bricks comes in and the lead goes away, GOD put Rose in this is getting old

 

[TJ]

Banks cant shoot, cant pass, cant hit a free throw, plays mediocre defense.....what the hell kind of value does this kid have??

 

[just do it]

Banks game looks as bad as Pachullas (sp?) back

 

[Covert Rain]

Coach D must be a mad scientist and know something we don't. Because for the life of me I don't understand why Banks is even playing. I swear they must be trying to move this guy because I can't see any other explanation.