Lakers at Suns Game Thread

[FArting]

Phoenix Suns
2007-08 Record: 1-0
2006-07 Record vs. Lakers: 3-1
Coming off a third-straight Pacific Division championship, two Conference Finals appearances in the last three years and a 61-win season in 2006-07, expectations have never been higher for the Phoenix Suns as they tip off their 40th season’s home schedule with tonight’s opener against the L.A. Lakers, a team they knocked out of the Opening Round of the 2007 Playoffs for the second year in a row…
Even though he just missed collecting his third consecutive NBA MVP trophy last year, despite posting career highs in multiple categories, look for Steve Nash to continue his personal success against the Lakers this go-around, too. The All-Star point guard led the Suns with 22.3 ppg and 12 apg in four games against L.A. last season en route to his All-NBA First Team selection. Joining him on that exclusive list was Amaré Stoudemire, who proved his doubters wrong with an impressive return from microfracture surgery to the tune of a team-best 20.4 ppg and 82 games played…
Grant Hill makes his regular season home debut for the Suns tonight. Through eight preseason games, the seven-time All-Star ‘s 14.8 ppg was good enough for third in team scoring… Last year’s lone regular season series loss to the Lakers occurred on Opening Night, where the only upside belonged to forward Shawn Marion, who became just the fifth player in franchise history to reach the 10,000-point plateau. With 150 double-doubles over the past three seasons, the All-Star is third in the league in that span, just five ahead of his teammate, Steve Nash.

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/preview_071102.html

 

[Rbutters91]

lets see how Kobe plays. Hes going to be a ball hog and a media hog.

 

[D-Dogg]

You know, if Lamar were playing I'd feel pretty good about our chances tonight.

As it stands, we probably lose by ten.

.

 

[Cheesebeef]

.

why on earth would you have a good feeling even if Lamar was playing? Aren't we something like 11-2 against the Lakers when Nash and Amare's been on the court and 18-5 regardless of who's out there throughout the last 3 years?

 

[abomb]

Go Lakers!

 

[Mulli]

Go Lakers!

:Banned:

 

[D-Dogg]

why on earth would you have a good feeling even if Lamar was playing? Aren't we something like 11-2 against the Lakers when Nash and Amare's been on the court and 18-5 regardless of who's out there throughout the last 3 years?

Why wouldn't I cheese?

I like the matchups. I ALWAYS HAVE. Rarely do you kill the Lakers. They are usually pretty good, entertaining games.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

If I were Kobe, I would walk over to D'Antoni and hand him a blank application.

Then go play the game. It would be funny!

 

[FArting]

The game will be on both FSN Arizona HD and ESPN HD starting at 7:30 pm.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The reaction Marion gets from the home fans should be interesting in comparison that the reaction Kobe got from his home fans.

Marion's constant refusal to talk more about his trade demands may have simmered things down a bit, but if people booed him it would be hard to say it isn't deserved.

 

[Errntknght]

I expect it to be a close game. The Suns will be a little tired from it being the second of a back-to-back and Boris and Leandro both tweaked their injuries last night. They'll probably be underestimating the Lakers, hence not expecting to put out lots of effort - and thats about all thats needed to lose to any team.

It could be an early test for D'Antoni - if Diaw and/or Barbosa is ineffective will he be ready to use Skinner and/or Banks more minutes.

 

[dodie53]

go suns!

 

[mjb21aztd]

lets go suns beat the lakers be nice to start off 2-0

 

[abomb]

Spread is Suns -9 for those that wish gambling was legal.

 

[SunDevilDon]

My prediction: SUNS 112 lakers 96

 

[az1965]

Suns win big!

 

[LakeShowMan]

Spread is Suns -9 for those that wish gambling was legal.

Good thing I live in Reno. Gambling is legal here.

Good luck Suns fans, not that I think you need it.

Hopefully the Lakers come out and play good team ball tonight and we actually have an exciting game.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Hey anyone know if were the suns prediction game thing this year? I haven't seen a thread for it but if you guys do start one heres my prediction

Suns 107

Lakers 101

Leading Scorer Amare

 

[Cheesebeef]

Why wouldn't I cheese?

I like the matchups. I ALWAYS HAVE. Rarely do you kill the Lakers. They are usually pretty good, entertaining games.

I would think losing 12 of 13 in Phoenix maybe would tell you those matchups you like so much, aren't as good as you think they are. Or the fact that with Amare on the court, we've pounded you guys by an average margin of 12 ppg (which is a lot in the NBA).

Bottom line - Rarely do teams kill ANYONE with regularity, but considering we've beaten the Lakers by 25 numerous times and pretty much own them in close games are the reasons why you shouldn't have a good feeling about this game, even with Lamar.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Suns don't blow out the Lakers very often... they also don't lose very often to the Lakers. I look for a close game - 110-103, Suns.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Suns don't blow out the Lakers very often... they also don't lose very often to the Lakers. I look for a close game - 110-103, Suns.

we beat them last year by an average margin of 11 ppg - that's a blowout in NBA terms. In 2005-6 we blew them out by 31 once, 17 another time, 11, 13 and 10 and in 2004-5, we blew them out by 11, 26 and 13.

That being said, it's early in the season and everything's always weird in the beginning, working out the kinks, thus it'll be close. We'll get our requisite Laker poundings later in the season, like we always do.

 

[FArting]

Originally Posted by mribnik
He hasn't been around here for a while. I think we're skipping the predictions this year. It's generally a hit at the beginning of the year but people drop out consistently after the first few weeks and only about 5 people actually participate till the end.

Amare32 hasn't been around for a while.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'll say this - watching KG on the Celtics is kinda making me sick right now knowing he was close to being ours if Marion actually accepted what he's always wanted (a contract extension, love and adulation and more attention).

 

[dodie53]

13 games today..
wow.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I feel the same way cheese Marion could've been the star of the celtics and he could have proved to everyone that he can lead his own team to the playoffs but what done is done