Clippers @ Phoenix - Game Thread - Tuesday April 17, 2007 - 7:00 pm

[cly2tw]

So, we saw Boris and TT of last year's playoff form. Amare is not blocking out and I hope it's just the result of fatique or lack of meaning of the game.

However, I am a little pissed that both Raja and LB ignored Amare ready to receive a pass. And Raja in particular was forcing too much too often. I hope that the coach makes sure they will go through Amare more in close end games in the playoffs.

 

[phxrising]

Wish Nash would have got 2 more free throws, would have livened the MVP race up a bit I think.

 

[PHXSportsFan4]

Tough loss, but big deal... Time to win when it really counts, the Playoffs!!!

 

[elindholm]

Let's hope the Suns are reminded that they need their "A" game to win, even against lesser opponents. Closing the season with two straight losses is embarrassing.

 

[Mainstreet]

Let's hope the Suns are reminded that they need their "A" game to win, even against lesser opponents. Closing the season with two straight losses is embarrassing.

It also means the Suns played their best players the last two games of the season and still lost. Thus the Suns backed their way into the second seed because if the Mavs had not beat SA the Suns would likely be the third seed. Losing the last two ballgames of the season playing hard does not leave a good taste in my mouth. The only bright spot in the game for me was the play of Boris Diaw. However, I mostly want to puke.

Sorry I had to vent. I just do not know what D'Antoni was trying to accomplish because I think the Suns took a step back these last two games.

 

[arwillan]

on a lesser note, GSW won so unless the lakers win tomorrow we wont be playing them, which means the mavs wont be playing GSW. a lose-lose situation

 

[TheHopToad]

Losing the last two ballgames of the season playing hard does not leave a good taste in my mouth.

Even though the Suns played their starters and normal rotation, they didn't necessarily go all out and play the same way they would have if these games mattered. I think they did quite a bit of experimenting and basically held practice under game situations. Had they really truly cared about winning these games, don't you think they would have called timeout at the end of both games to call plays and advance the ball for the game tying shots? They surely would have got a better option against the Rockets than Amare for three if they really wanted it.

on a lesser note, GSW won so unless the lakers win tomorrow we wont be playing them, which means the mavs wont be playing GSW. a lose-lose situation

I'm pretty sure that the Suns feel confident that they can beat the Lakers or GSW in a 7-game series. Trying to game who they play sends the message that they're afraid of another team. If they're afraid of anyone in the first round with the #2 seed, then they don't have any chance at winning a title. Bring them all on!

 

[arwillan]

I'm pretty sure that the Suns feel confident that they can beat the Lakers or GSW in a 7-game series. Trying to game who they play sends the message that they're afraid of another team. If they're afraid of anyone in the first round with the #2 seed, then they don't have any chance at winning a title. Bring them all on!

though you make a very good point here, i can see the suns being afraid of playing GS after the way they beat us last time (at our own game). until late in the 4th the game wasnt even close. they have a big/strong PG in baron davis who isnt afraid to try and score on nash everytime he goes down the court- exploiting nash's weaker defense. they matchup well with us, and id much rather play the lakers. the lakers have been sputtering down the stretch while GS is on fire as of late.

 

[TheHopToad]

i can see the suns being afraid of playing GS after the way they beat us last time (at our own game). until late in the 4th the game wasnt even close.

Don't forget that the Suns also went to Denver and got blown out the arena by the Nuggets, but then returned the favor the next time. We have beaten GSW 3 of 4 games this year and blown them out by 23 in the third meeting. Any team can have a bad night and look horrible in one game against anybody, but the best team usually wins in a 7 game series.

 

[Chaplin]

1) The Lakers won't lose tomorrow--they're playing Sacramento, the Pacific division basement dweller, and it's too important a game. The Lakers would MUCH rather play us in the 1st round than the Mavs.

2) I'd much rather play the Lakers myself, but don't fool yourselves, the Warriors won't have another 47 point quarter against us, especially in the playoffs. Everyone loves to tout that the playoffs are a totally different animal, but they still love to point to a regular season game as being the poster child for a particular team. I think a GS series would last longer than a Laker series, but I still feel we would pull it out.

3) Tonight's game has shown basically 3 crucial things despite the loss:
a) Boris Diaw seems to be regaining his form
b) Raja Bell has his shot back, and in a big way
c) James Jones actually was far from useless in this game, hopefully that will carry over next week

 

[KloD]

I'm pretty sure that the Suns feel confident that they can beat the Lakers or GSW in a 7-game series. Trying to game who they play sends the message that they're afraid of another team. If they're afraid of anyone in the first round with the #2 seed, then they don't have any chance at winning a title. Bring them all on!

It's not who we play, it's that we should want the Mavs to match up with the warriors. GS is 3-0 this season against the Mavs. Had we won it would have been set, now the Mavs may get the Clippers who shouldn't even be in the playoffs.