Phoenix Suns @ Toronto Raptors 1/18/09

[LV-Suns]

Phoenix Suns @ Toronto Raptors
10:30 AM

Phoenix (22-15) at Toronto (16-25)
​

Trying to find a way to end an eight-game losing streak versus the Phoenix Suns will be tough for the Toronto Raptors and interim coach Jay Triano, who is in desperate need of an orchestrator on offense.

With Canada at the 2000 Olympics, he had one of the NBA’s best leaders in Steve Nash.

The Suns, kicking off a season-high six-game road trip, hope Nash can pick up his ninth straight win against the team from his home country as they face Triano and the Raptors on Sunday.

Triano, who was named interim coach for Toronto (16-25) after Sam Mitchell was fired on Dec. 3, has been without starting point guard Jose Calderon (hamstring) for seven of the last eight games and the Raptors have only three wins during that span.

Toronto, which has lost four straight, may be without Calderon again as it tries to end an eight-game losing streak to Phoenix (22-15). The Raptors haven’t beaten the Suns since a 101-94 road victory on Feb. 10, 2004, the last meeting between the teams before Nash re-signed with Phoenix.

Nash, who played his first two seasons with the Suns before being traded to Dallas in 1998, has won nine straight overall against the Raptors and is 17-2 against them all-time. He’ll now try to continue that run in a reunion with Triano, whom he played under with Canada’s national team in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Triano was the head coach as Canada was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals. Two years later, he went on to become the first Canadian-born coach in the NBA as an assistant under Lenny Wilkens for Toronto and he’s been trying to devise ways to stop Nash since.

Nash is shooting 54.7 percent (29-for-53) from 3-point range in his career against the Raptors while averaging 14.8 points and 9.5 assists.

In Phoenix’s 105-103 loss to Minnesota on Friday night, Nash was held to six points on 3-of-8 shooting. The Suns have lost two straight entering this stretch on the road, where they are 10-7.

“Get the first one - that’s how you start off a road trip,” said Phoenix swingman Jason Richardson, who missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer versus the Timberwolves. “If we go out there and get the first one, it’ll help us out on this long road trip.”

Phoenix will be facing a Toronto team that continues to be hurt by Calderon’s absence. The Raptors committed 20 turnovers in a 111-104 loss at Indiana on Friday night.

Calderon is averaging 12.9 points and 8.5 assists against 2.1 turnovers.

Against the Pacers, Toronto did get Jermaine O’Neal back for the first time in 10 games. The veteran big man, who had been out with a bruised right knee, finished with two points in 17 minutes.

Chris Bosh had another outstanding game for the Raptors, finishing with 25 points and 16 rebounds. The two-time All-Star had 42 points and 13 boards in Toronto’s last matchup with Phoenix, but the Suns won 122-103 at home on Dec. 22, 2007.

Nash had 16 assists and no turnovers in that game, adding seven points and six rebounds.

Yahoo!
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[Wonder]

Being a typical Suns fan right now, I'm looking ahead of this game and waiting for them to go on a win streak, assuming already that they beat the Raptors today.

 

[AceP]

I expect Shaq to play this game. The Raptors r without Calderon and J.Oneal, we should be able to win it if we can be intensive from the begining of the game.

My hope is we could seal the win in third and rest the starters, so we can have Shaq play again tomorrow in Boston. Shaq did play well in the back-to-back set without Nash, in both he played 35+ minutes. We should not over-work him, but after the disgraceful losses to Denver and Minny, this team desperately need a win streak to get back on track.

 

[Ninjafish]

Damn Shaq, look around. Nash was wide open. Why are you trying to take such a contested shot?

 

[Andrew]

20-10, Jesus Suns...could you suck any more right now? Shaq with 2 fouls and you are already over the foul limit.

 

[cly2tw]

anyone has a link that works?

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

anyone has a link that works?

http://www.justin.tv/neptyk_pl/

I suggest muting it.

 

[Hat]

Toronto wants to trade JO for Marion/Banks.

lol....

 

[LV-Suns]

http://www.justin.tv/ender195/popout

English

 

[Andrew]

27-24

 

[LV-Suns]

J-Rich 11 pts

1 pt game.

 

[LV-Suns]

36-34 at the end of 1st. Suns


Barnes hit a 3 at the last second from a sweet dish by LB.
J-Rich with an amazing quarter. Amare did pretty decent

 

[Hat]

We have to win this game. Raptors don't have Kapono, Calderon, & O'neal.

 

[Andrew]

Everybody has 2 fouls lol

 

[cly2tw]

so far so good. Barnes not trying risky passes makes him solid addition. keep it up guys.

 

[LV-Suns]

O'Neal For Marion Almost Finalized




Jan 18, 2009 12:08 PM EST

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The Jermaine O'Neal for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks trade is gaining momentum and could be finalized within a week if Miami is satisfied with the health and play of O'Neal now that he is back on the floor.


Sources confirmed talks are nearly completed at the highest levels of each organization.


O'Neal, according to sources and various Internet reports, has told friends and acquaintances that he expects to be dealt to Miami. League sources tell the Star that nothing is expected to happen in the next 24 or 48 hours and it could be more than a week before any deal is finalized.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/56668/20090118/oneal_for_marion_almost_finalized/

 

[Andrew]

that wasn't a tech

 

[LV-Suns]

LB is on fire again.

10 pts in 6 mins!

 

[Andrew]

there u go

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

Suns continue to get raped on calls.

 

[Andrew]

yay shaq

 

[Andrew]

Damn, this is like the best live stream I have ever had and I can't watch the 2nd half because I am moving back to school

 

[cly2tw]

Toronto has even less defense than we do. That's when Barbosa can have big games. Don't let it slip away this time please!

 

[Proteus]

Suns up 71-63 after the 2nd quarter. Suns shooting 61% with 5/10 3 pointers, Raptors 55% with 4/7 3 pointers.

Suns have committed 4 turnovers, Raptors 6.

Suns and Raptors tied at 4 offensive rebounds.

Suns have hit 12/12 free throws, Raptors have hit 15/16 free throws.

Nash had 11 assists at the half. The Suns had 21 assists on 27 made field goals in the 1st half.

 

[Ronin]

Bad pass...