Phoenix (16-10) at Washington (12-14) Game thread

[sunsfn]

If the Suns want to beat the Wizards, someone (probably Bell) better slow down Arenes. He gets the team going and if you can slow him down Someone else has to score and that is to the Suns advantage.
Arenas scored 41 points against us last time and they won by a point 112-111.
The Wizards also outrebounded the suns 52-30. They have to improve on that. The free throw shooting was Wizards 21 of 31 Suns 15 of 20. Maybe Diaw can get to the line more now after his success the last game.
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From ESPN

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Phoenix at Washington
Wednesday, December 28 2005 - 7:00 PM ET
MCI Center - Washington D.C. , DC

Phoenix (16-10) at Washington (12-14) 7:00 pm EST​

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards are looking for their season-high fourth straight win when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

The Wizards have won three straight games since inserting Caron Butler into the starting lineup and moving Gilbert Arenas into the point guard role.

Arenas, who is averaging 37 points during the streak, scored 34 points as Washington posted a 94-91 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Butler added 16 points against his former club as the Wizards won despite shooting just 38 percent (31-of-81) from the floor.

The up-and-down Suns recorded a 103-89 win at Minnesota on Monday, just their third win in eight games. Boris Diaw scored a career-high 31 points and added 11 rebounds and five assists.

Steve Nash collected 24 points and 12 assists for Phoenix, which had won a league-high nine straight games before hitting the skids recently.

Arenas missed three free throws down the stretch, but his 41 points were enough to help the Wizards escape Phoenix with a 112-111 win over the Suns on Friday.

 

[jibikao]

Yes, I can watch this game even though it's not on national TV.

I cheer for Suns of course.

 

[az1965]

After 1st quarter - Both teams shooting high percentage, Suns 60% but 0-6 for 3 pts.

 

[az1965]

Is any shot ever going to go in for Jim Jackson?

Looks like he has completely lost all confidence.

 

[jibikao]

50-50 at half.

Are we really THAT SHORT? It looks like almost every time Wizard misses, their big guy(s) is bound to touch the ball. I did see us blocking out but they are just too tall for us. They would reach from the back and grab the rebound.

I don't know Wizard is that good at grabbing rebounds??

 

[fordronken]

Does anyone expect Bell to make it when he shoots?

 

[jibikao]

Oh god.... that 4th foul on Kurt is dick. Now our "big" guy has to sit... WTF.

 

[jibikao]

Up by 2.... going 4th quarter. Damn.

 

[jibikao]

Ok...my mistake... there are so many times that wizard's big players are in front of us under our basket!!! Marion is good at rebound but I think he is too skinny to fight for his position against big guys. He tends to choose to find his position to jump (very quick!) first rather than boxing out.

Wizard is getting quite a few 3s inside... that could be another reason why they are in such good position to rebound.

We are losing now...damn.

 

[Billythekid]

Wooooooooooooooooooo. Suns up 3! Great D in this last few minutes. Diaw Marion Nash and JR! All stepped up big time.

 

[Billythekid]

Thank god for that! After that BS call on Diaw, Suns can seal the deal.

This will be one of the better wins of the season. Suns got down by 9 and fought back. Great defense in the 4th!

 

[jibikao]

What kind of F*** up call is that with 20s to go??? I BARELY see ANY contact. The only contact I saw is probably from Bell jumping forward to grab the ball...and they call a foul on Diaw???!!! WTF???

I am soooooooooooooooooooooo glad that the ref didn't mess up this game.

Our 4th quarter defense is excellent!!!!!!!

I know Gilbert didn't have a great game but his teammates did.

Great win!!!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

And Eddie House runs up to Marion and says HALLA!

Good win, amazing comeback at the end...

Mike

 

[Amare32]

Great win

Marion, Diaw and Nash were huge in the 4th

also have to mention James Jones who hit a huge three to cut the lead from 7 to 4 with 3.30 left.

 

[sly fly]

This is a game in which you look back at the end of the year and say... it all started with this one.

The defense at the back side of the 4th quarter was phenomenal. The help D was there. Hands were everywhere. And, most importantly, Arenas had to work to get a good look.

Boris Diaw's offense near the end spelled "leadership". Nash is blowing by any defender that chooses to get in front of him. And, Marion's dunks lit a fire in this team.

Great win. The Wiz have been playing pretty good ball as of late.

Time is running out for the opposition to take advantage of Amare's absence.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Great win

Marion, Diaw and Nash were huge in the 4th

also have to mention James Jones who hit a huge three to cut the lead from 7 to 4 with 3.30 left.

Jame Jones was huge all game...he couldn't miss.

Mike

 

[jibikao]

As good as Nash creating for others, there are times when Nash gets locked down and passing to him is not a good decision, or he's having a bad night.

Tonight there is one moment when Diaw got the rebound and 90% of the time, the player would pass the ball to Nash. Diaw didn't. He kept driving and anticipating...and until he out ran the big guy and made a layup. I think it's a great example to show Diaw is a SMART player. It's not always better to follow the "book" because the opponent knows other players are going to pass to Nash. I like what I see in Diaw. His softness pisses me off sometimes but he is getting better and better going inside. He was phenomenal in the 4th quarter.... except for one pass to Marion which is way too high....

speaking about that high pass, man, Marion jumped SO HIGH!!! lol

James Jones' been great ever since he got back from the injury. We really did miss him when he was injured.


I thought we might lose this one since Wizard just won't miss...

 

[arthurracoon]

Awesome win!!!



That was a fun game to watch

 

[F-Dog]

Wish I could have seen it.

I do like that Diaw had a great finish after struggling earlier in the game. What I don't like is Steve Nash playing 40+ minutes with such heavy responsibilities--even though the Suns are winning, they're hurting their playoff chances IMO.

 

[az1965]

Nice block in the end by Diaw that resulted the fast break and ended with Marion dunk!

 

[panfolk]

Wish I could have seen it.

I do like that Diaw had a great finish after struggling earlier in the game. What I don't like is Steve Nash playing 40+ minutes with such heavy responsibilities--even though the Suns are winning, they're hurting their playoff chances IMO.

Keep in mind Barbosa's out. If he can rgain the consistency of the early games we're golden.