OKC @ Suns

[Absolute Zero]

UP NEXT: THUNDER @ SUNS
When: Wednesday @ 7 p.m. | Full schedule
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix
TV: FSAZ | Radio: 620 AM, 1400 AM (Spanish)
Thunder update: Coming off a 92-77 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles, the Thunder had slipped a game behind red-hot San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference as the Spurs prepared to play against the Lakers in Los Angeles late Tuesday night. Former Arizona State star James Harden of the Thunder continues to lead all contenders for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. Harden is averaging career bests in scoring (16.4 points a game), field-goal percentage (48.2), 3-point shooting (38.4 percent), assists (3.7 a game) and rebounding (4.1 a game).


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...-phoenix-suns-fans-thunder.html#ixzz1sQ0TF49Z


Let's see who steps up tonight. The Suns need 2-3 guys to contribute a lot more than usual tonight, some loud fans, and a little luck.

 

[Mainstreet]

James Harden coming out of ASU into the NBA, I thought his talent was vastly overrated. He has proved me wrong. Perhaps I could not project him playing in a high octane pro system.

 

[82CardsGrad]

James Harden coming out of ASU into the NBA, I thought his talent was vastly overrated. He has proved me wrong. Perhaps I could not project him playing in a high octane pro system.

If it's any consolation, I felt the same way... and loudly proclaimed how big of a bust he was going to be. WRONG!!!

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was wrong on Harden also but I went the other way on it. I thought he'd shine from day one in the NBA with a floor at about the Joe Johnson level. I thought he'd be the best player on a lower level team or a great number two guy on a very good team.

Steve

 

[FArting]

Go Suns!

 

[Phrazbit]

I didnt believe in Harden either coming out of college, and as dumb as it sounds, I think him wearing that baggy white undershirt at ASU had a lot to do with my impression of him. It made him look tubby and unathletic.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I didnt believe in Harden either coming out of college, and as dumb as it sounds, I think him wearing that baggy white undershirt at ASU had a lot to do with my impression of him. It made him look tubby and unathletic.

Well, at least he's got the Abe Lincoln beard going now. The dude is unusual in appearance, but can flat out play.

We are going to have our hands full with him tonight.

It will be interesting to see if Hill plays tonight, and if so whether they start him to try to match up with Durant. Challenging matchups no matter what we do, but Hill, if mobile, can make Durant work for his points.

 

[Superbone]

No Hill.

 

[Absolute Zero]

OK, here we go: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...uns-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-chat-0418.html
Thunder (44-17) at Suns (32-29)

C: Kendrick Perkins ... Marcin Gortat
PF: Serge Ibaka ... Channing Frye
SF: Kevin Durant ... Jared Dudley
SG: Thabo Sefolosha ... Shannon Brown
PG: Russell Westbrook ... Steve Nash
Key Thunder injuries: Eric Maynor (knee) is out.
Key Thunder reserves: James Harden, Nick Collison, Derek Fisher, Nazr Mohammed, Daequan Cook.

Onto today's Orange Slices...
* Suns small forward Grant Hill will "probably not" play tonight against Oklahoma City because of the soreness he experienced in his right knee since his weekend return to action.

Hill played in back-to-back games two weeks after a knee scope but made a cut defensively Saturday that aggravated the knee at San Antonio. He was held out of Monday night's win against Portland but the hope is that he could play Thursday night against the Clippers.

"There is probably a very good chance that he won't play," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said, attributing it to how Hill has been feeling and avoiding games on consecutive nights.

The Suns will start with Jared Dudley on Durant but run several other players at him and different coverages, including probably some zone.

*****

 

[Absolute Zero]

No Hill.

sumbich!

 

[Superbone]

sumbich!

Yep, gonna be tough for the shorter Dudley. We're probably gonna have to double team him.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

If KD and Westbrook have a bad shooting night, I think we can pull off a win!

 

[Mainstreet]

I like Dudley but he cannot physically match up with Durant on defense.

 

[Mainstreet]

If KD and Westbrook have a bad shooting night, I think we can pull off a win!

I worry more about the Thunder dominating inside.

 

[Absolute Zero]

What's with the delayed start?

 

[Absolute Zero]

Nevermind, wow what a start!

 

[AfroSuns]

Nice start by the Suns

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Nevermind, wow what a start!

followed by a not-so-hot start lol. If any of the OKC big 3 start out hot early, we're doomed

 

[Mainstreet]

It seems the Suns have to shoot lights out to stay competitive.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns need to stop slow down Harden... somehow.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

It seems the Suns have to shoot lights out to stay competitive.

Very true. The defense is just too slow, and they hardly ever rotate on time -- hard to watch sometimes.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Thunder end the quarter on a 16-0 run. The Suns really became tentative taking shots for no apparent reason.

 

[Proteus]

Suns down 29-25 after the 1st quarter after having a 13 point lead.

Horrible meltdown by the Suns offense missing 11 out of their last 12 shots.

The 1st few minutes were pretty impressive from the Suns though.

 

[Proteus]

That was a nice block by Lopez.

 

[elindholm]

The good news is that the Mavericks have come back against the Rockets. If the late score holds up, the Suns' magic number will be down to 4.