Mavericks at Suns 3/10

[FArting]

A tough week has hurt the Phoenix Suns' chances of catching the Dallas Mavericks for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Perhaps Josh Howard's absence will give them a boost.
In danger of losing five straight for the first time in over four years, the Suns look to take advantage of a Mavericks team that will likely be without Howard on Tuesday night.

Coming off an 0-4 road trip, Phoenix (34-29) trails eighth-place Dallas (38-25) by four games in its quest for a fifth straight playoff appearance. A loss Tuesday would give the Suns five straight for the first time since a six-game skid in January 2005."We're in desperate position," Phoenix point guard Steve Nash said. "Let's do our best, not panic."

Dallas, meanwhile, is trying to improve its playoff position as it opens a four-game road trip. The Mavs still have hopes of moving into one of the top four spots in the West, which would give them home-court advantage in the first round of the postseason."Everything is still in reach," Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "We just have to play well together and we'll be right there."

The Mavs, though, will have a tough time moving up in the conference if Howard has to miss an extended period of time. The swingman sat out Dallas' 119-103 win over Washington on Saturday night because of a sprained left ankle.Howard, third on the Mavs with 18.0 points a contest, is scheduled to visit a specialist to determine how long he'll remain out of the lineup. He aggravated the injury in a loss to Oklahoma City on March 2, but toughed it out the entire game in a win over San Antonio on Wednesday night before sitting out the second half of a loss at New Orleans the following evening.

Jason Terry who returned March 1 after missing eight games with a broken bone in his left hand, matched a season high with 33 points versus the Wizards."Without Josh Howard right now, we have to get our attempts up," said Terry, averaging 19.7 points in 55 games. "It's a big void to fill. Dirk and I taking 20 or 25 shots a night wouldn't be crazy."Nowitzki led the Mavs with 34 points, and is averaging 29.7 in his last six games. The veteran forward is averaging 30.6 points in his last 10 contests against the Suns, including a 39-point effort in Dallas' 112-97 win Dec. 4.Phoenix evened the season series as Shaquille O'Neal had a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 128-100 win Jan. 9.O'Neal was held to 14 points on 6-for-16 shooting in Phoenix's 103-98 loss to San Antonio on Sunday. The losing streak has dropped the Suns to 6-6 under coach Alvin Gentry, who replaced Terry Porter after the All-Star break.

Nash has been one of Phoenix's few bright spots over the last four games, averaging 26.0 points and shooting 55.0 percent. He was held to nine points in January's matchup with the Mavs after averaging 22.3 points in his previous eight meetings against them.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=290310021

Go Suns!

 

[lou_skywalker]

GO SUNS!!!!
If we win this and Dallas loose against LA and Portland, then we would be tied (I think). They MUST win this one otherwise no 18 game win streak would help.

 

[Proteus]

Suns and Mavs tied at 14 with 5:37 left in the 1st quarter. Mavs shooting 54%, Barea has 8 points on 4/5 shooting.

Play some freaking defense!

 

[cly2tw]

mavs are weak, but we don't seem to have anything firm to beat them. let's hope for some good luck

 

[Proteus]

Suns down 30-33 after the 1st quarter. Suns shooting 57% with 1/6 3 pointers, Mavs 54% with 2/4 3 pointers.

Suns have committed 3 turnovers, Mavs 0.

Suns and Mavs both have 2 offensive rebounds.

Suns have hit 5/8 free throws, Mavs have hit 1/1 free throws.

 

[cly2tw]

Nash has been doing suboptimal decisions lately. With 3-4 sec left in the half, why passing to Lou in traffic without a good look? Surely, Lou panicked with this burden and lost the ball.
Also, Nash is shooting well but when he shoots, everybody watches. That's why he needs to work on off ball plays when he has a hot hand, even just to involve more teammates into the play.

 

[cly2tw]

Dragic is active. He loses position back covers back to draw the off. foul on Barea. He stole the rebound that was so sure Mavs'. He cut but wrongly got called for travel. So far, not bad at all, and we seem to have control.

 

[Hat]

WTF was with the short shot clock? That was like 18 secs, not 24

If we lose by 2 I'm going to be pissed. We were cheated there.

Edit: A 15 second shot clock...lame

 

[Ninjafish]

WTF was with the short shot clock? That was like 18 secs, not 24

If we lose by 2 I'm going to be pissed. We were cheated there.

You know it's almost inevitable that it's exactly what will happen.

 

[cly2tw]

weird, just talking to myself at a game that's finally winnable for us.

JRich is having a good game. if he could calm down and make that floater each time, he'd be hard to stop.

 

[Proteus]

Suns up 62-58 after the 2nd quarter. Suns shooting 56% with 4/10 3 pointers, Mavs 53% with 5/12 3 pointers.

Suns have committed 5 turnovers, Mavs 6.

Suns have 6 offensive rebounds, Mavs 5.

Suns 12 fast break points, Mavs 2.

Suns 28 points in the paint, Mavs 12.

Suns 13 bench points, Mavs 18.

Suns have hit 10/15 free throws, Mavs have hit 3/3 free throws. What's the deal with our free throw shooting lately?

 

[Andrew]

Good way to end the half....come on....lets hold on.

 

[Proteus]

Dampier picks up his 4th foul 1/2 a minute into the 3rd quarter.

 

[Goran Stoudemire]

Stro needs to play over Lou. I'm tired of this scrub taking his min.

 

[Proteus]

Sigh..the obligatory Suns meltdown.

 

[Andrew]

Career high for Hollins?

 

[Proteus]

Suns down 70-73 with 7:08 left in the 3rd quarter. Mavs on 9-0 run.

 

[Proteus]

Hollins the latest scrub to torch us.

 

[Proteus]

Suns can't buy a basket anymore. Suns 5/13 shooting in the 3rd quarter.

 

[Andrew]

Can we guard Dirk without a foul?

 

[Proteus]

Suns down 79-84 with 3:12 left in the 3rd quarter. Mavs shooting 56% for the game.

 

[carey]

^^ It usually doesn't happen till the 4th Q.

 

[Andrew]

This is just sad....

 

[cly2tw]

defense! Terry was hot late in the 3rd and yet they decided to leave him open for 3s a couple of times in the last 2 min!

 

[Proteus]

Suns down 87-92 after the 3rd quarter. Suns shooting 54% with 5/14 3 pointers, Mavs 56% with 8/20 3 pointers.

Suns and Mavs have both committed 8 turnovers (Nash has 3).

Suns have 7 offensive rebounds, Mavs 6.

Suns have hit 12/18 free throws, Mavs have hit 8/10 free throws.

Suns have 16 fast break points, Mavs 9.

Unless this team gives a crap about defense in the 4th quarter, our playoffs go bye bye.