Suns at Nuggets 1/15/09

[FArting]

The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets have each pulled off a blockbuster trade in the last year to demonstrate a new commitment to defense.
Based on recent results, both moves are working out just as well on the offensive end.

Shaquille O'Neal looks to continue his hot streak for the surging Suns on Thursday night when they visit the Nuggets, who have ridden Chauncey Billups to the top of the Northwest Division.Phoenix (22-13) traded for O'Neal at last season's deadline to help the team transition from an offensive-oriented system to a more balanced approach.

The 36-year-old veteran endured some growing pains with the Suns, but he's averaging 22.4 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting 59.1 percent from the field in 12 games since Dec. 6. Phoenix is 10-2 in those contests and 1-2 in games O'Neal has missed in that stretch.O'Neal delivered his third consecutive double-double with 26 points and 10 boards in a 107-102 win over Atlanta on Tuesday night – Phoenix's sixth victory in seven games.

"Shaq is playing like the Shaq of old," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "And when he is down there making moves ... it makes it tough to defend."Despite expressing some frustration that Phoenix let Atlanta back into the game after a dominating first quarter, Suns forward Grant Hill sounded confident about the team's progress in its first season under coach Terry Porter.

"We talked in November and December that we were a work in progress," Hill said. "I think we're here now. We're confident. We feel better about ourselves than we did four or six weeks ago."The Nuggets (26-13) have had a smoother transition to their newcomer, going 25-10 since acquiring Billups from Detroit on Nov. 3.Billups has averaged 22.0 points and 6.4 assists over his last seven games, leading Denver to a 6-1 record despite the absence of Carmelo Anthony for the last three. Anthony's expected to miss at least two more weeks with a broken bone in his shooting hand.

Billups scored 23 points and made two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining to give Denver a 99-97 win over Dallas on Tuesday night. He deflected some of the praise toward Dahntay Jones and Chris Andersen, role players that combined for 31 points and 11-for-13 shooting."Those guys won the game for us," Billups said. "It came down to (my) play, but without those guys we don't win this ballgame."The Suns, who have lost their last three games in Denver by an average of 14.4 points, won their first meeting with the Nuggets this season. Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points to lead four Suns players with at least 16 in the 108-101 victory Dec. 20.Suns point guard Steve Nash scored eight straight points in the final three minutes to seal the win, and O'Neal added 19 points and nine rebounds.

Billups had 18 points and eight assists while committing a season-high seven turnovers in that game, but the Nuggets' star was Nene, who went 9-for-12 from the field and had 20 points and 15 rebounds.Beginning with that contest, the Brazilian center is averaging 17.6 points and 9.5 boards while shooting 65.5 percent over his last 12 games.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=290115007

 

[Andrew]

Is Shaq playing tonight?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

no word that he isn't.... yet.

 

[Louis]

On TNT so I get to watch this one.

Though they've won only 1 game I've watched this year.

Hopefully my bowling league game is over early and I can see the tip off.

 

[jagu]

We might need to rest Shaq today because tomorrow Al "Jordan against the Suns" Jefferson will be schooling Amare if Shaq sits. Tough choice to make. We might need Shaq tonight though, although Carmello isn't playing (not 100 percent sure).

 

[Andrew]

Carmello won't play, we just need to control Smith. If we shut him down, he won the game. Last game he was hot in the first half and then our smothering D by Hill and Barnes took him out of the rest of the game.

 

[atikiN]

We might need to rest Shaq today because tomorrow Al "Jordan against the Suns" Jefferson will be schooling Amare if Shaq sits. Tough choice to make. We might need Shaq tonight though, although Carmello isn't playing (not 100 percent sure).

Even with Al going off, in theory, the Suns should be able to handle TWolves without Shaq. I'd rather see him tonight doing his thing on national TV.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Even with Al going off in theory, the Suns should be able to handle TWolves without Shaq. I'd rather see him tonight doing his thing on national TV.

+1

 

[jagu]

I hope the Suns are shooting today, they missed a lot of easy shots against the Hawks.

 

[Griffin]

Even with Al going off, in theory, the Suns should be able to handle TWolves without Shaq. I'd rather see him tonight doing his thing on national TV.

Shaq has become too essential part of our offense that without him we will likely struggle against any team. Now Minnesota is playing much better and has won 7 of its last 10 games. They have given us trouble in the past. Shaq really needs to play both of the games.

 

[atikiN]

Shaq has become too essential part of our offense that without him we will likely struggle against any team. Now Minnesota is playing much better and has won 7 of its last 10 games. They have given us trouble in the past. Shaq really needs to play both of the games.

Considering the 7 teams they've beaten, I'm not too concerned about the 7 of 10. Besides, last time we played them, Barnes was still starting and JRich was still a bobcat. Al is going to go off on us regardless whether Shaq is playing or not, it's just a matter of shutting down the rest of the team and answering on the offensive end.

I agree with you that it'd be nice to see Shaq in both games, but if I had to chose one over the other, Id have him vs the Nuggets.

 

[Covert Rain]

I would be surprised if he sits out a National televised game after 1 day off. I think Shaq plays.

Billups will probably go off tonight.

 

[LV-Suns]

Billups can't have 2 straight bad games against us, right?

 

[atikiN]

Billups can't have 2 straight bad games against us, right?

If Nash plays D on him like he did on Bibby, he might not tear us a new one

 

[zod]

I would like to see Shaq play both games but I doubt that happens, I'm torn between which one I would rather see him play.

 

[Ronin]

One key to winning this game is getting Nene into foul trouble........

Suns 117
Nuggets 114

Barbosa

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Shaq really needs to play both games.

 

[dodie53]

go suns!

too bad i can't watch this again but
i will pray for a win tonight.

 

[cubsfan162512]

cant wait for the game. Go Suns!

 

[Blackification]

I might miss this game where can I go to watch it after or download it?

 

[Griffin]

Shaq is not playing tonight on the road against a 26-13 conference rival team, in order so that he can be well rested to take on a 11-26 lottery team tomorrow at home. If the Suns lose tonight, can we call it a forfeit?

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/43638

 

[Blackification]

Wow nevermind I don't even want to watch this game anymore I know we are going to lose. Its either Amar'e snaps and loses his mind out there and we win or we lose 1% chance of the former happening so i'll pass.

 

[Mainstreet]

Shaq is not playing tonight on the road against a 26-13 conference rival team, in order so that he can be well rested to take on a 11-26 lottery team tomorrow at home. If the Suns lose tonight, can we call it a forfeit?

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/43638

Maybe so but Al Jefferson of the Wolves would eat the Suns alive without Shaq.

 

[zod]

ughh...

Now we gotta watch amare and lopez play defense.

 

[Griffin]

Maybe so but Al Jefferson of the Wolves would eat the Suns alive without Shaq.

That's why Shaq should really play in both, but if you have to pick one, he ought to play against the tougher opponent on the road.