Bucks at Suns 7PM FSN AZ

[FArting]

Struggling on the road is nothing new to the Milwaukee Bucks -- especially in Phoenix.
The Bucks try to end a 20-game losing streak at Phoenix on Tuesday when they play the Suns at US Airways Center.

Milwaukee (9-13) is 21-74 on the road since the start of the 2006-07 season, including 4-9 thus far. But the Bucks -- 0-15 all-time at US Airways Center -- have always left Phoenix without a victory since a 115-107 win at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 21, 1987, and the 20-game skid matches the longest current streak in the NBA.Memphis has also dropped 20 straight at Sacramento, and Golden State has lost 20 in a row at San Antonio.

While the Bucks could take hope from knowing the New Jersey Nets were able to end a 14-game losing streak to the Suns at Phoenix on Nov. 30, their bigger concern is trying to regroup from a 105-92 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday that started a three-game road swing. Milwaukee's starters accounted for just 18 points, and coach Scott Skiles benched them in the third quarter in favor of his reserves.

"We weren't ready," said Skiles, who had a 116-79 record coaching the Suns from 1999-2002. "We came out flat and missed a lot of open shots. We still had a game in front of us, but we just rolled over."Michael Redd scored just two points on 1-of-6 shooting, but has been one of the few Bucks to play well in Phoenix, averaging 30.7 points on 51.7 percent shooting in his last three games there. The shooting guard has averaged 15.0 points in four games following a 14-game absence due to a sprained ankle.

The Suns (12-9) are hoping Amare Stoudemire can provide another boost after totaling 22 points and a season-high 20 rebounds in a 106-104 win over Utah on Saturday that snapped a four-game losing streak. It was the fourth 20-20 game for Stoudemire, who had recently made comments expressing his desire to become the team's go-to player playing alongside veteran center Shaquille O'Neal."Amare was a beast tonight," said Suns coach Terry Porter, whose team lost its previous four by an average of 12.8 points following three straight wins.

Stoudemire, whose had 26 points and 20 rebounds in his last 20-20 game -- a 132-130 double overtime loss to New Orleans on Feb. 6 -- grabbed 11 of Phoenix's 16 offensive rebounds, tying a career high."Amare was unbelievable, getting all those offensive rebounds," said Steve Nash, who had nine assists to move into second place on the Suns' all-time list with 4,017. "It was beautiful to see. That's something different for us."Stoudemire has averaged 21.0 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 58.7 percent in 10 lifetime games against the Bucks, never losing to them."We came out with a lot of intensity. I was trying to be the aggressor, said Stoudemire, who had 24 points in a 110-105 win at Milwaukee on Nov. 8. "We did a good job on the boards and set the tone early. I had my focus on the boards the whole night."

Leandro Barbosa had 25 points off the bench, while O'Neal posted his seventh double-double of 2008-09 with 15 and 10 rebounds. During the Suns' four-game skid, O'Neal averaged just 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in three starts.O'Neal had a season-high 29 points with 11 rebounds in the Nov. 8 win.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=281209021

 

[Roca Dolla]

the suns without shaq

SUNS 110

BUCKS 98

Amare 35/14/4/3

 

[Griffin]

the suns without shaq

Coro is reporting that Shaq will play tonight, but is game-time decision tomorrow against the Lakers.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

He just had two days rest. Theyre both late games. Put shaq in both!

 

[nashman]

Did someone honestly post Amare with 14 boards? Oh you mean he might play harder tonight than normal. He had 20 the last game I would expect single digits as he will go back into his I just wanna score mode. "Defense whats that" Amare.

 

[Hat]

I don't understand why he won't sit out this one and play tomorrow against the Lakers? Amare can't guard Bynum, he's too big.

 

[Hat]

Nevermind. He's going to be attending his great-grandmothers funeral

 

[Andrew]

I know people hate me to do this, but I missed the first pts of the game, what kinda shot did Shaq make?

 

[Andrew]

So no Shaq tomorrow?

 

[Blackification]

I know people hate me to do this, but I missed the first pts of the game, what kinda shot did Shaq make?

His regular power shots. He is beasting on Bogut who just got his second foul.

 

[Ronin]

High scoring first quarter....

 

[Andrew]

What a play by Barnes and Barbosa

 

[Proteus]

Suns up 36-35 after the 1st quarter. Suns shooting 63% with 2/4 3 pointers, Bucks 54% with 1/3 3 pointers.

Suns have hit 10/12 free throws, Bucks 4/4 free throws.

Suns have given up 7 offensive rebounds.

 

[AceP]

What a poor game, I dont like it at all. We shouldn't allow the lowly Bucks to score so much! I hate to say, this team isn't going anywhere with this kind of defensive effort.

 

[cly2tw]

LB has been doing good things on both end. He now actively tries to pass the ball to the big men early and quick, leading to good results. On defense, he manage to stay in front of his guys much better than we are used to. Great sign of improvement!

 

[Ninjafish]

Great game. It looks like the team of old. I was watching a Suns game from the 2006 playoffs a few days ago and there is no difference from the tempo of that game and the game I'm watching right now.

The increased speed is really helpful for Barbosa.

 

[Andrew]

Shaq dominating, already has 17 points.

 

[LV-Suns]

IMO LB is a much better player under Porter than with the D'Antoni's.

 

[Ninjafish]

Jesus, I haven't seen us play this well in years.

Isn't it so incredibly obvious now that the Suns NEED to play fast paced?

 

[Brianellsworth]

I wonder if shaq will twitter at halftime

 

[cly2tw]

Amare and everybody has been really active out there. His help defense has been more to the point. His awareness in general is high.

 

[cly2tw]

Diaw right now is a turnover machine!

 

[LV-Suns]

74 pts in the first half.

 

[Ninjafish]

74 points at the half.

Nash looks about 5 years younger playing this way.

 

[SirStefan32]

All I can say is WOW! What a game!