Phoenix Suns @ NOP 12-30-14

[Ronin]

I'm a little worried about the Suns winning tonight....can't let the Pelicans gain ground on us in the standings. Pregame starts in less than an hour.

SUNS (18-14) at PELICANS (15-15)

Tip-off: 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) TV: FSAZ

C:Alex Len … Omer Asik

PF: Markieff Morris … Anthony Davis

SF: P.J. Tucker … Luke Babbitt

SG:Goran Dragic … Tyreke Evans

PG:Eric Bledsoe … Jrue Holiday

Key Pelicans reserves:Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers, Dante Cunningham, John Salmons, Alexis Ajinca.

Key Pelicans injuries: Eric Gordon (left shoulder subluxation) is out.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...preview-suns-pelicans-orange-slices/21060315/

 

[Ronin]

5 things to watch.
Key Matchup
Alex Len has already gone toe-to-toe with some of the league’s better big men since being inserted into the starting lineup two weeks ago. His work in that time (22.7 mpg, 9.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 56.5 FG%) has been forceful and efficient.

http://www.nba.com/suns/gallery/sunsatpelicans-5-things-watch

 

[sunsfan88]

Len will have his work cut out for him today. Everyone knows about David but Asik is 3rd in the NBA in rebounding percentage. This will be Len's hardest task yet since taking over the starting role.

 

[Ronin]

Hopefully the trend continues for us. Hopefully Asik doesn't go off tonight.

John Reid ‏@JohnReid64 3m3 minutes ago
Omer Asik has not grabbed more than nine rebounds in three consecutive game and has not scored more than six points in six-straight games

 

[Ronin]

Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer · 34m 34 minutes ago

Suns' Jeff Hornacek: "Rebounding is a big key... We play undersized most of the time. Davis and the length of Asik in there is a concern."

 

[Ronin]

John Reid ‏@JohnReid64 57s58 seconds ago

Phoenix Suns have won four straight and eight of the last 10 against Pelicans.

 

[Ronin]

neither team can make a shot right now.

 

[Ronin]

ugh Len keeps leaving Asik.

 

[Ronin]

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 16s17 seconds ago

The Pelicans would have scored on 8 straight trips if Asik had made a FT on one of them. Evans has 7 vs. Tucker. NO 16-8. #SunsAtPelicans

 

[Ronin]

Markieff is now in foul trouble.

 

[SirStefan32]

Can someone help Dragic? He's damn good, but not good to beat an entire team.

 

[Ronin]

gotta somehow...someway stop Tyreke Evans.

 

[sunsfan88]

Tucker is getting DESTROYED by Tyreke freakin Evans.

 

[AfroSuns]

Green is really annoying when his shots are not falling..probably worse defender on the squad

 

[AzStevenCal]

Can someone help Dragic? He's damn good, but not good to beat an entire team.

So you think Dragic has played well so far? I think he's been average on offense and horrible on defense. Of course, average on offense is much better than any other Suns player in this game but still, there are two ends to the court.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

It would be nice if Goran got the same call going to the hoop that Evans and the other Pelicans keeps getting.

Steve

 

[Ronin]

Well the Suns cut the Pelicans 14 point lead to six. The least expected dude to hurt us is going off and getting into the paint at will (Tyreke Evans).
End of the first quarter
Suns 25
Pelicans 31

 

[SirStefan32]

So you think Dragic has played well so far? I think he's been average on offense and horrible on defense. Of course, average on offense is much better than any other Suns player in this game but still, there are two ends to the court.

Steve

Sure I do. Players he's been guarding scored one bucket. Until IT and Green hit a couple of shots, he's the only one who gave them any scoring.

 

[Ronin]

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 1m1 minute ago

NO 31, PHX 25 after 1Q. NO: 52 FG%; PHX: 44 FG%; Evans: 12 pts/3 reb; Davis: 8 pts/5 reb; Dragic: 8 pts; Bledsoe:5 reb/2 blk #SunsAtPelicans

 

[SirStefan32]

Mark it down, folks. I've counted two passes (both assists) for Green.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Sure I do. Players he's been guarding scored one bucket. Until IT and Green hit a couple of shots, he's the only one who gave them any scoring.

Actually, I'm more pissed about the poor communication by Keef, Goran and others who have allowed several blind-side picks to free Evans. This team has some of the worst communication on defense I've ever seen. Tucker is the only one that talks and if he's the one being picked, we're in deep trouble.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Actually, I'm more pissed about the poor communication by Keef, Goran and others who have allowed several blind-side picks to free Evans. This team has some of the worst communication on defense I've ever seen. Tucker is the only one that talks and if he's the one being picked, we're in deep trouble.

Steve

Of course, that Dragic's fault too. I assume it's his fault that Bledsoe can't hit a jumper and that Plumlee can't catch the ball?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Of course, that Dragic's fault too. I assume it's his fault that Bledsoe can't hit a jumper and that Plumlee can't catch the ball?

Why do you keep doing this? Pull your head out of your butt and read my actual comments. You keep putting words in my mouth. Dragic had outplayed the Suns when we were down by 14 (?) but he had not played well. Just because he hadn't sucked quite as badly as Bledsoe, Keef and the rest of the team means nothing to me. I want the team to win.

Steve

 

[AfroSuns]

Green is unstoppable now and Asik killing us inside

 

[Ronin]

tie game!