Rockets at Suns Game Thread

[FArting]

Rockets at Suns Game Thread 8:30ET ESPN FSN AZ

Though the architect of their high-scoring ways left over the summer, the Phoenix Suns are doing a fine job living up to their reputation as one of the NBA's best offensive teams.

The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, haven't delivered on their billing as one of the league's top defensive clubs despite an offseason move designed to strengthen them in that area.

The Suns look to take advantage of the struggling Rockets on Wednesday night when the teams meet in Phoenix.

The Suns have been one of the league's three highest-scoring teams in each of the last four seasons. Coach Mike D'Antoni installed the up-tempo offensive system that made it possible, but Phoenix hasn't let up despite D'Antoni's departure to take over the New York Knicks in the offseason.

The Suns (6-2) are near the top of the league in scoring with 103.3 points per game and field-goal percentage at 51.5. They won their second straight Monday night, getting a season-high 27 points and 10-for-13 shooting from reserve Leandro Barbosa in a 107-102 win over Memphis.

"It was the first time that I was doing well and I felt like I could go to the basket and I could shoot," said Barbosa, who averaged 7.6 points and shot 34.0 percent from the field in the first seven games. "My teammates were helping me and the coach was helping me, too, and it was great."While Phoenix has consistently played to its strengths in the new season, the same can't be said for Houston (4-3). The defensive-minded Rockets have ranked in the top five in opponents' scoring and in the top two in field-goal percentage defense in each of the last five seasons.

Despite an offseason trade for Ron Artest, a former Defensive Player of the Year who was second in the NBA in steals per game in each of the last two seasons, the Rockets haven't found their rhythm defensively in 2008-09.Houston is in the middle of the pack in field-goal percentage defense at 44.8, and though it has held opponents to 92.6 points per game, that figure has been bolstered by victories over Memphis, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers -- teams that are a combined 5-17.The Rockets have given up an average of 104.3 points in their other four games, including a season-high point total in a 111-82 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

"You have to play as a team and we did not play as a team," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We are better than that, but we have to find answers. You have to work a little harder. You can't do it on your own. We have a lot of work to do. I don't know what else to say."Houston didn't only struggle on the defensive end Sunday. It shot 37.8 percent from the field -- the fourth time in seven games it has been held under 40.0 percent. Artest was 2-for-11 and Tracy McGrady missed 10 of 11 shots."I just couldn't get any rhythm," said McGrady, a two-time scoring champion who's 1-for-16 in his last two games. "These were probably the worst two games of my career. But when you play a long time in this league, you're going to have some games like that. Unfortunately, I had two in a row. But it's a long season."The Rockets and Suns split four meetings last season with each team winning once at US Airways Center. McGrady averaged 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists in three games against Phoenix, while the Suns' Amare Stoudemire averaged 30.3 points and 11.5 boards while shooting 60.0 percent in the series.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=281112021

 

[jagu]

Hopefully Amare posterizes Yao tonight

Go Suns!!

 

[nashman]

Going to this game tonight should be a good one to see!

 

[mojorizen7]

Whomever starts these game threads should include TV & times.

 

[Espo]

Should be a fun game. Suns are catching a break with Shane Battier being out. Should help Shaq and Amare down low. Houston has looked sluggish and didn't play well at all against the Lakers in their last game.

At home the Suns hopefully will be able to handle their business.

One guy Suns fans should keep an eye out for is Aaron Brooks (no not the former NFL QB) according to Jason Friedman of HoustonRockets.com.

Jason Friedman HoustonRockets.com: Aaron Brooks has been tremendous off the bench for Houston this year. He’s definitely been one of the few bright spots so far. He’s ridiculously fast and has been superb shooting the ball from beyond the arc, which makes him an even tougher guy to guard, obviously.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/11/12/behind-enemy-lines-previewing-the-houston-rockets-with-houstonrocketscom/

 

[arwillan]

this game should be telling, one way or the other. even with battier out the rockets are darn good. i hope barbosa can play well like he did the other night, and i hope amare tears up whoever winds up guarding him

 

[mojorizen7]

Is this game an 8:30 start? FSNA?

 

[mjb21aztd]

Lets go suns beat the rockets

Suns 109

Rockets 103

Leading Scorer Amare 23 pts

 

[mojorizen7]

Is this game an 8:30 start? FSNA?

8:30 PM on ESPN

 

[mojorizen7]

8:30 PM on ESPN

Thanks Mojo

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GO SUNS!

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[hsandhu]

I'm calling it now, we get absolutely murdered tonight.

And I'm not even unhappy with where we are, I like our potential. But right now we are still a huge work in progress a good team should be able to kill us.

 

[jagu]

Suns 108- Rockets 92

 

[Ronin]

yeah, I don't have a good feeling about this game.
Rockets 104
Suns 88

 

[cubsfan162512]

go suns should be a good game to watch

 

[S_Nash]

http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?p=4021847#post4021847

Don't forget to check this out during the game if we're up.

Best laugh you'll have all week

 

[mojorizen7]

Meow Ming will get shredded by our front court IMO. Amare has owned his ass in the past IIRC.
Looking forward to Artest and Barnes getting locked up although Porter could throw Barnes on T-Mac & Raja on Ron Ron.
I expect the ROCKETS to shoot lights out in our building however(just like everyone else does) and edge out a road victory.
ROCKETS 108
SUNS 104

 

[Shzm13]

Who the hell is Heather Cox??

I prefer Pam Olivers big-o-butt



XD

 

[95pro]

dont want to sound like andrew, but anyone have a link to the game?
im at work. no tv here.

 

[mojorizen7]

nice start

 

[AfroSuns]

A win in this game will go a long way in helping the team. Another huge turnover night and we wont beat the rockets.

 

[mojorizen7]

Meow.......!

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[Shzm13]

Shaq pwning

 

[cly2tw]

Amare is trying, seemly willing to learn defense. We are going to our bigs and nailing down our 3pts on outlets. Good signs!

 

[Shzm13]

Hope we take more advantage of the Scola-Stoudemire mismatch

 

[Lynx280]

THERE IS NO Harm in asking for links!!! i dunno why everyone around here is so touchy about it! we just all wanna be able to watch our suns.

here u go. its spanish but better than nothing

http://www.justin.tv/psnk3