Suns at Bulls Game Thread

[FArting]

Because the Phoenix Suns have one of the NBA's oldest starting lineups and are playing their first season under a new coach, their streak of four straight 50-win seasons appeared to be in jeopardy.
With Amare Stoudemire still in his prime, however, Phoenix is in position for its best start in eight years.

Stoudemire looks to follow one of the best games of his career with another strong outing as the Suns try to improve to 5-1 for the first time since 2000-01 in a road game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.Phoenix (4-1) traded 30-year-old Shawn Marion for an aging Shaquille O'Neal before last season's trade deadline, and replaced respected coach Mike D'Antoni with the less-experienced Terry Porter in the offseason.

These moves led to speculation the Suns' championship window may be closing, but that didn't seem to be the case Wednesday night, when Stoudemire was one point shy of his career high with 49 in Phoenix's 113-103 win over Indiana. The 25-year-old forward -- the only Suns player under 32 years old to start every game -- added 11 rebounds and six assists.

"Normally, I ease into it and try to get guys involved early," Stoudemire said. "Tonight, coming off the back-to-back -- we got somewhat of an older group -- I wanted to take it on myself to give ourselves a spark. I was able to do that and carry the load tonight to get this win."Stoudemire was more than just a spark. He was remarkably efficient, going 17-for-21 from the field and 15-for-15 from the free-throw line. He helped Phoenix, leading the league in field-goal percentage at 55.4, shoot 55.8 percent as a team.

"He was unbelievable," said point guard Steve Nash, Stoudemire's teammate since the 2004-05 season. "Maybe the best game I've ever seen him play."As impressive as his offensive display was, Stoudemire was even more pleased with his defensive effort. Long considered one of the best offensive teams in the league, the Suns are trying to diversify their skill-set and become a more feared defensive club."I'm trying to get us more respect from you guys (the media) and everybody else from a defensive standpoint," said Stoudemire, who had five steals and two blocks Wednesday. "That's an area where I'm trying to improve and really trying to set a tone early with that."

That may not be good news for a Chicago team that's shot 37.8 percent from the field in dropping three of four games since a win in its season opener. The Bulls (2-3) were 31-for-79 (39.2 percent) in a 107-93 road loss to Cleveland on Wednesday night."I thought we could've moved the ball better at times," first-year Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We got a little stagnant on one side. It's hard to beat good teams when you do that."Del Negro knows this Suns team falls under that category. He spent the last two seasons in the Phoenix front office and is facing the Suns for the first time since he was passed over for their head coaching position over the summer.Del Negro expressed interest in replacing D'Antoni on the Suns bench, but the job went to Porter instead. The Bulls then gave Del Negro his first head coaching gig after a highly publicized courtship of D'Antoni, now with the New York Knicks.

Phoenix has won four straight in Chicago and 14 of the last 18 meetings overall, including both last season as Stoudemire averaged 19.0 points and 4.5 blocks while shooting 56.0 percent (14-for-25).Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, off to a slow start at 8.8 points per game, has averaged 21.0 in his last four games versus the Bulls. Barbosa scored eight points in a decisive 12-0 run in the fourth quarter last season at Chicago, where a year earlier he hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=281107004

 

[Mulli]

Go either team!

 

[Chaplin]

Shaq is sitting tonight.

Robin Lopez, you're up.

 

[abomb]

Shaq is sitting tonight.

Robin Lopez, you're up.

I am curious to see how Amare does. Fans around the NBA will be watching to see if he can have a repeat performance.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I am curious to see how Amare does. Fans around the NBA will be watching to see if he can have a repeat performance.

I expect it although not as good. With Shaq out, the offense will go through him.

 

[Mulli]

I expect it although not as good. With Shaq out, the offense will go through him.

I think Bulls' coach Vinny Delpino knows the Suns inside and out. Watch out for the Bullz.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I think Bulls' coach Vinny Delpino knows the Suns inside and out. Watch out for the Bullz.

These aren't the same Suns.

It will be good to see Rose in action.

 

[carey]

I think Bulls' coach Vinny Delpino knows the Suns inside and out.

Who?

 

[Mulli]

You must be registered for see images

 

[Mulli]

These aren't the same Suns.

It will be good to see Rose in action.

I was kidding.

I like Rose.

 

[nowagimp]

I am a little concerned that barnes is not with the team. Derek rose is an incredibly athletic and physical PG, the suns will miss barnes physical defense on Rose.

 

[Covert Rain]

Shaq is sitting tonight.

Robin Lopez, you're up.

I want to see him play in control (no foul trouble) and contribute on the boards. This should be a pretty good look see on our future inside line up.

 

[Ronin]

Suns 92
Bulls 82

I hope that Tyrus Thomas doesn't have a big game.

 

[Griffin]

Shaq is sitting tonight.

I guess he's sitting so that he can play tomorrow? Certainly he can't be tired after a day off and only 12 minutes on Wednesday.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Lets go suns beat the bulls keep the winning ways going hopefully Lopez can have a nice little game with shaq sitting out should be intresting to watch, and i'm also looking forward to seeing what Rose can do for the bulls tonight. But we should win this one easily even without shaq.

Suns 113

Bulls 93

Leading Scorer Amare 27 pts 7 rebounds

 

[Irish]

Suns 92
Bulls 82

I hope that Tyrus Thomas doesn't have a big game.

So far, Tyrus is averaging 7.4 ppg on 25.0% shooting.

 

[dbUNIT16]

Shaq only played 12 minutes two days ago. I would rather rest him that risk him though. Maybe it'll pay off at the end of the season...

I bet Amare has another savage game!

 

[mjb21aztd]

I hope Amare has another monster game he is really killing it for my fantsy team which is in 1st place Amare is a beast

 

[zett]

Does any one have a link to watch this game on the net? Raptor nation was the only one I could think of, but I don't think there around anymore. Thanks.

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

Does any one have a link to watch this game on the net? Raptor nation was the only one I could think of, but I don't think there around anymore. Thanks.

nba.com broadband is still having there free preview. Check it out.

 

[zett]

nba.com broadband is still having there free preview. Check it out.

thank you! I'll check it out.

 

[Ronin]

So far, Tyrus is averaging 7.4 ppg on 25.0% shooting.

thats disappointing to know.

 

[Ninjafish]

Is league pass broadband not working for anyone else?

 

[Ronin]

Nice defensive recovery by Robin Lopez

 

[cly2tw]

So far, we have been successful with catch-n-shoot off the screen. Amare has been calm with the ball. But too many TO again.