Amare32
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Phoenix Suns (24-12) @ Sacramento Kings (14-21 )
When Tuesday 17th January
Time: 7.00 PT
Location: Arco Arena, Sacramento
TV: UPN 45
Probable Starting Lineups:
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Raja Bell
SF-Shawn Marion
PF-Boris Diaw
C-Kurt Thomas
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PG-Mike Bibby
SG-Kevin Martin
SF-Peja Stojakovic
PF-Kenny Thomas
C-Brad Miller
Key Bench Players
Suns
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Leandro Barbosa- 13.3 points, 2.3 rebounds on 39% 3P%Leandro Barbosa scored 7 points in 13 minutes in his return after a long lay-off after picking up an injury and was forced to sit for 4 weeks. He made 3-7 shots and made the Suns bench even deeper. James Jones who has been averaging 10 points per game off the bench was reduced to limit minutes because of his return and the great play of Eddie House
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Eddie House- 10.9 points, 1.9 assists on 43% FG, 39.3 3P%Eddie House had a big game off the bench against the Cavs on saturday and continued his good form as the instant offense guy off the bench. Scoring 17 points o 7-10 shooting and 3/4 from three in only 18 minutes of play
Kings
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Francisco Garcia - 4.9 points, 1.5 assists on 35% FGKings don't have much of a bench these days and alot of this is down to injuries with both Bonzi Wells and SAR both out of action for a while so some of their bench have had to become starters. Garcia did have a nice game in his last game with 17 points against the Hornets on friday night.
Starting 5 Match-ups
Point guards
Steve Nash Vs Mike Bibby
Steve Nash has been playing excellent basketball as always lately. He has averaged almost 20 points and close to an amazing 15 assists in his past 5 games. While leading his team to a 4-1 record during that time. He will go up against the highly rated Mike Bibby who when they meet up is always is a good match-up to watch. It goes all the way back to when they met in the playoffs when the Kings and Mavs used to do battle but since Nash moved from Dallas to Phoenix. Nash has had his number. Should be yet another good battle.
Shooting guards
Raja Bell Vs Kevin Martin
Raja Bell has been in fine form for the Suns lately and is averaging 20.4 points per game in his last 5. Including a 30 point performance against Denver. Which included 8 three-pointers. During the last 5 games he has shot 52% from two and an amazing 55% from three. He really has helped replace the outside shooting of Joe Johnson. He will look to do the same in this game against the Kings. He will be matched up with Kevin Martin who is averaging a little over 7 points per game this year and is starting to due to the fact the Kings normal shooting guard Bonzi Wells is out injured. Martin is a good slasher and is not really a shooter but can hit the mid range shot. He will be up against It here though.
Small Forwards
Shawn Marion Vs Peja Stojakovic
Shawn Marion continues to have one of the best seasons of his career. Marion is averaging 21 points and 12 boards a game and has been at that kind of level all season. Been very consistant through every game. Including a 25 point and 12 rebound effort on saturday night against the Cavs. He is going to take advantage of the small forward match-up wether It's against Peja or Fran Garcia. Peja sat out the Kings game @ the Hornets and It is unknown If he will play in this one or in the game before this one when the Kings play on sunday night. Either way Shawn will certainly have the advantage either way.
Power Forwards
Boris Diaw Vs Kenny Thomas
Boris Diaw has had an amazing season thus far and has become of the most all-rounded players in the NBA. Averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists a game. The assists is an impressive stat due to the fact he has Steve Nash on his team who gets over 11 assists a game but Boris has still managed to rack them up. He has also improved his offensive game the last 5 games or so. The last 5 games Diaw has averaged over 17 points per game on 57% shooting while also getting 4 rebounds and 6 assists. Diaw is certainly a key to the success the Suns while Amare has been out. Kenny Thomas seemed to of been unhappy with playing time at the start of the season but due to SAR's injury he has gotten the chance to start and has put up numbers. Which he has done well so far. He had an impressive season last year but It took him a while to get things going. He seems to of found some form and will be a tough match-up
centers
Kurt Thomas Vs Brad Miller
Here will be a battle between two of the best shooting centers in the league. Kurt Thomas who has two double doubles in his last 5 games after a slow start has averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds as the Suns starting center. Which included a 15 point, 16 rebound effort against the Warriors on thursday. KT's post defense has certainly been a huge factor. Suns interior defense is much improved and this guy is the main reason for It. Brad Miller remains one of the Kings top scorers with 14.6 a game while also being their best rebounder at 7.8 a game. He also averaged 5.3 assists a game which is great for a big man. He has been abit inconsistant so far this month but is a guy you can't leave open anywhere from the 5 to 18 feet area. He has a nice stroke for a big man and If KT can contain Miller then the Suns have an excellent chance at getting yet another win.
Key Match-up
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VS
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Steve Nash-19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 11.2 assists
Mike Bibby- 19.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists
key's To The Game
Suns
- Nash must push the ball and beat the Kings down the floor for easy baskets. Basically Phoenix Suns basketball. Kings aren't great at getting back on defense and the Suns must use their speed to their advantage.
- Shawn Marion must use his speed advantage as whoever guards him won't be able to stay with him one on one. Peja If he plays will be carrying a injury and won't be 100%. He can't even keep up with him even when heathly.
- Bench play will be important. With Barbosa now back the Suns have 3 legit options to come off the bench and make an impact.
- Mike Bibby with the Kings shorthanded needs to have a big game. the Kings need at least 25 out of him in my opinion If they are to knock off the high flying Suns. The job he does on Nash will also play a big factor.
- production from their frontcourt is a must. Kenny Thomas and Brad Miller need big games against the Suns frontcourt which is playing very well at the moment.
- Kings need something from their bench. With all their injuries It will obviously be tough to do so. However guys like Garcia, Williamson, Skinner, Hart need to step up their game. Bibby, Miller and Thomas need some support
The Phoenix Suns head into this game after a 112-105 over the Cavs. Shawn Marion poured in 25 points and 12 rebounds, Raja Bell with 23, Steve Nash also had 20 which included 15 assists. It was a good performance when you bare in mind that superstar Lebron James scored an amazing 46 points. Suns pretty much lead from start to finish and continued the very good home form.
The Kings on the other hand are really struggling. They are 14-21 and are still missing two of their starters. Bonzi Wells and Shareef. Because of that their bench guys had to become starters. Which meant they basically have no bench. Obviously this game is on the tuesday and at the time of writing this they have a game tonight (sunday) against Orlando.
Arco arena has always been a very tough place to play over the years but the Kings are only 9-11 at home this season. So It certainly won't be as hard as previous years to win in there.
The Suns are rolling right now, the Kings have injury problems and are struggling for wins even at home so there's no reason to expect anything but a Suns win
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