Suns @ Hornets Game Thread

[Amare32]

Phoenix Suns (13-8 ) @ New Orleans Hornets(10-12)​

When Friday 16th December
Time: 6.00 PT
Location: Baton Rouge
TV: UPN 45

Probable Starting Lineups:

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PG-Chris Paul
SG-JR Smith
SF-Desmond Mason
PF-David West
C-PJ Brown

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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Raja Bell
SF-Shawn Marion
PF-Boris Diaw
C-Kurt Thomas


Game Preview


Injuries are finally starting to catch up with the Phoenix Suns.

They'll try to end a season-high three-game losing streak when they visit the resurgent New Orleans Hornets in Baton Rouge, La.

Much was made of how Phoenix would respond to the absence of injured All-Star power forward Amare Stoudemire (knee surgery) for the first four months of the season. However, Phoenix, which finished with the league's best record a season ago, shook off a slow start with an NBA season-high nine-game winning streak.

But things have slowed down considerably since. The Suns have lost three in a row for the first time this season, and have scored fewer than 100 points for four straight games.
They still lead the league with just under 103 points per game, but additional injuries to backup point guard Leandro Barbosa (knee) and forwards James Jones (ankle) and Brian Grant (knee) have left Phoenix shorthanded.

The Hornets took advantage of the Suns' deficiencies on Monday, rolling to a 91-87 victory at Phoenix behind a season-high 26 points from second-year guard J.R. Smith. New Orleans ended a five-game losing streak with the win, and followed it up by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 102-89 on Wednesday.

Smith had 21 against the Clippers and the Hornets improved to 5-0 this season when he scores at least 16 points.

"It feels good, of course, but (I'm) not unstoppable. My confidence isn't that high yet," said Smith, who matched his career high with six 3-pointers against Los Angeles. "I've got to just keep knocking open shots down, and hopefully it gets there."

The Hornets used a balanced offensive attack Wednesday with six players in double figures, including David West's 20 points and 12 rebounds.

"We just played Phoenix a couple of days ago, we already know what they're going to do," said West. "They really don't run anything except giving the ball to Steve Nash. So we have the opportunity to be familiar with this basketball team."

Nash, the reigning league MVP, was held to 14 points on 38 percent shooting (5 of 13) against New Orleans on Monday. He managed 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting in Wednesday's 102-96 loss to Dallas.

"I didn't shoot well and you have to give them some credit for that," Nash said. "If we were a healthy team, we would be concerned but it's tough when you are playing with a short bench. We've just got to stay confident."

The Suns will be making their second of eight road stops in the next 10 games.

This will be the first of the Hornets' six "home" games scheduled for the campus of Louisiana State University. New Orleans has played its first nine home contest in Oklahoma City, Okla. due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina earlier this year. "It's special to go back home and go back and see family, see some friends and play in front of so many of our fans who haven't had a chance to see us play," Hornets forward P.J. Brown said. "It's bittersweet. It's tough just knowing the situation, knowing a lot of the tough times that people are going through down there."

Suns Game Notes

The Suns, who lead the league in scoring, have failed to reach 100 points in four straight games. They never went more than two straight games without reaching the century mark last season. ... F Shawn Marion grabbed 19 rebounds, one shy of matching his career high. ... G Eddie House attempted 12 shots in 18 minutes. ... F James Jones missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle.

Hornets Notes

Desmond Mason scored 15 points on 6-of-14 from the field. ... David West collected 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for this fourth double-double of the season. ... G J.R. Smith went 6-of-10 from 3-point range. ... The Hornets had 11 more assists than the Clippers. ... New Orleans are 8-2 when leading at halftime this year. ... this game marked the sixth time this season New Orleans have scored over 100 points, they are 3-3 when this occurs.

 

[jibikao]

I know Hornets has won quite a few games recently but we can't have another loss.... come on, win this one!

 

[sunsfn]

This is not going to be an easy game by any means.

The Hornets are playing good, they are playing in front of their home town fans, and the suns are shorthanded.

Maybe the Hornets will be uptight in front of the crowd tonight because of the pressure to win this game.

 

[sunsfn]

This suns team is really struggling again. This is a young team that they should be scoring lots of points on.

Bell can't hit, Nash can't hit, Boris Diaw looks uninterested most of the time the last 3-4 games. What is with him? JJackson can not hit.......they miss James Jones and his sweet outside shot!

They will not get any calls from the refs shooting all outside shots and not being aggresive. I think Nash is being fouled but no calls as he runs around the court.

They do need another inside big man right now!


Does anyone know why Anderson is not playing for the Hornets?
I knew he was injured to start the season, but they resigned him to a nice contract and he was expected to be a big part of this team.
Maybe he is still hurt?

 

[sunsfn]

One more thing, it looks almost like they want to lose so the Hornets can get a game at home for the first game of the year!!!

 

[az1965]

Nash shooting is just awful 3-14.

 

[az1965]

Great... we cut it down to 2 and they took it back up 12 points...

 

[az1965]

Boy, we are just not into it... throwing air balls, at least two one by each Marion and Bell... then getting offensive rebound, just threw it away.

 

[AmareFan]

This is fricking BS...what the hell>?

 

[The Commish]

We suck right now.

 

[az1965]

We are back into it... getting the lead first time, up by 3 now!!!

Let's pull this one out guys...

 

[Amare32]

Eddie saving our asses tonight

 

[az1965]

Good that we decided to wake up in the 4th...

 

[ProdigalSun]

thank god for Eddie House

 

[sunsfn]

Never any doubt!!!!

 

[Sunshooter]

The game is end?

 

[Amare32]

Suns outscored the Hornets 37-10 in the 4th quarter

 

[jibikao]

Judging by the boxscore, we were down before 4th quarter and then we outscored them 37-10. lol

I am glad Eddie stepped up on an away game. He's been shooting very poorly on the road. Great job!!!!! We need it. Now we are tied with Clip.

 

[jibikao]

What happened to Jim Jackson? Man, he can disappear soooo quick! 0/6, 12min playing.

 

[az1965]

What happened to Jim Jackson? Man, he can disappear soooo quick! 0/6, 12min playing.

He's writing his ticket out of Phx...

 

[CARDCORE FAN]

Suns outscored the Hornets 37-10 in the 4th quarter

That is amazing!

 

[reader]

Never any doubt!!!!

Thank heavens, I was going to look up the suicide prevention number for you. Perhaps you could have it on speed dial, you know, for game days.

Returning to original topic, really pleased to see them get the win. I saw the score at the end of the 3rd and went, blech ... They did seem to come out with more determination in the 4th. Great that it paid off. Eddie scoring the way he did was phenomenal, hoping that he has lost his, out of town yips.

 

[The Commish]

He's writing his ticket out of Phx...

Once Barbosa gets healthy I think he will be gone, the question is where and what can we get for him. It's not like he is playing at a high level right now to warrant quality people in return.

Nonetheless amazing comeback tonight. This team showed a lot of poise tonight, and I think this win will do wonders for the confidence of this battered squad.

 

[reader]

Regarding JJax, he did have 6 rb and 3 assts, even with his shot MIA, he did show more than he had in earlier games. I still have hope that he will be able to find his shot.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Once Barbosa gets healthy I think he will be gone, the question is where and what can we get for him. It's not like he is playing at a high level right now to warrant quality people in return.

I completely disagree with you. Barbosa brings a skill set that is perfect for this team, and he is an excellent scorer. His overall game has improved drastically, and to trade him now would be puzzling at best, idiotic at worst.