SUNS - MAVS aka The Season GAME THREAD!!!!

[goldseraph]

Link to ESPN.COM game preview -

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=290405006

I had given up on the Suns season a few weeks back after that six game losing streak, but if we win this one, damnit we have a shot! Even if it means a first round exit to the Lakers, it is better than not getting there. And if by some chance we beat the Lakers, imagine the glory! Even taking them to 6-7 games would be epic. It's time for the Suns to man up - this will be a tough game on the road, but the Suns are rested and Dallas has had a few bad losses recently. A collapse against the Suns could well send them into the downward spiral necessary to slide out of the playoffs.

 

[pokerface]

This race for the last playoff spot is about the most interesting thing to happen to the Suns this season....I just might watch them again!

 

[Ryanwb]

How is this "the season" game when they would still be 2 games out of 8th place if they win?

 

[lou_skywalker]

I don't know, the Suns have been awful on the road, they certainly have to give 120% to win this one......

 

[pokerface]

How is this "the season" game when they would still be 2 games out of 8th place if they win?

Its "the season" because if the Suns lose that game they're OUT.

 

[Ninjafish]

How is this "the season" game when they would still be 2 games out of 8th place if they win?

Because if we win, the chances are good that we make the Playoffs, maybe 50%. The Mavs would have 4 games left against playoff teams while we would only have one.

If we lose, we have zero chance.

That's why it's THE season. 50% to 0%.

Edit: Feels just like game 7 of a series right now.

 

[elindholm]

Shouldn't it feel like Game 5 of a series in which the Suns are down 3-1? I'm with Ryan on this one.

 

[Ninjafish]

Maybe a game 6. There's more hope than there would be in a game 5 because the Mavs have been playing poorly and the Suns have been playing well lately.

(Except for that hard road stretch where they were tired because they played 4 games in 5 nights)

 

[AsUdUdE]

To me... It sure does seem like the season in a very real way. Basically If the Suns LOSE, they are out..

If they WIN, they will have the Tie Breaker (tied 2-2 for season, suns Div record 10-5, Mavs are 5-8) And the remaining Schedule for the Suns, they have 2 games against Memphis, one against Minnesota, and N.O.

Meanwhile, the Mavs have to play N.O.'s twice, Utah, Houston, and Minnesota...

If the Suns win tonight, they SHOULD make the Playoffs, so in essence, the season DOES come down to today...

Should be fun!

 

[arwillan]

Even if the suns take this one, they'll still have a lot of work to do. Boy, that game against Sacramento looks really huge now. But if our "season game" is only going to give us a chance to play the Lakers in the first round, I don't see why it's all that big of a deal. Making the playoffs only to meet the Lakers isn't all that much to be excited over, for me.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Even if the suns take this one, they'll still have a lot of work to do. Boy, that game against Sacramento looks really huge now. But if our "season game" is only going to give us a chance to play the Lakers in the first round, I don't see why it's all that big of a deal. Making the playoffs only to meet the Lakers isn't all that much to be excited over, for me.

Because it gives us a chance to knock them out... yes it is improbable, but I would MUCH rather pick #15 and have that chance then #14 and not..

And if the Suns can beat the "mighty" Lakers, it would make this season more special then ANY OF the previous 5 years IMO....

 

[lou_skywalker]

Because it gives us a chance to knock them out... yes it is improbable, but I would MUCH rather pick #15 and have that chance then #14 and not..

And if the Suns can beat the "mighty" Lakers, it would make this season more special then ANY OF the previous 5 years IMO....

making the playoffs is also more symbolic. Makes the players happy, esp for Shaq who hasnt missed playoffs since rookie season.
It would also get $arver two games more ticket sales, and IF we beat the Lakers then financially its even more significant

 

[Ninjafish]

Even if the suns take this one, they'll still have a lot of work to do. Boy, that game against Sacramento looks really huge now. But if our "season game" is only going to give us a chance to play the Lakers in the first round, I don't see why it's all that big of a deal. Making the playoffs only to meet the Lakers isn't all that much to be excited over, for me.

We would probably have to meet the Lakers some time no matter what seed we came in.

If we did make the Playoffs, we'd have just as much chance against the Lakers as any other team.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns have not been a clutch team all season especially on the road. I am not expecting the Suns to beat the Mavs and even if they do, I still do not expect them to make the playoffs.

I most certainly hope the Suns prove me wrong. This would make me very happy. However, the Suns recent OT loss at Utah and the loss to the Kings in California seem to have cemented their fate.

 

[FArting]

Go Suns!

 

[Andrew]

I am nervous...

 

[Ninjafish]

Don't be nervous. Enjoy it. Could be the last meaningful game of the season. Could be the last basketball game you have to look forward to until November.

 

[Griffin]

If they WIN, they will have the Tie Breaker (tied 2-2 for season, suns Div record 10-5, Mavs are 5-8)

Since the teams are in different divisions, the second tie breaker would be conference records. The Suns are up by two games in that category, but with only conference games remaining for both teams the Suns obviously would win that tie breaker if the two teams ended up with the same record.

 

[lou_skywalker]

I am nervous...

don't think about the playoffs too much. Be grateful that we have some nice players who play their "high octane offense" very well. Not too many teams are as entertaining as the Suns

 

[Andrew]

I still believe in the playoffs though, maybe I just don't want to let go until its fact.

 

[Bert]

Wishing the Suns good luck today!

GO SUNS!

 

[mojorizen7]

As i've said before,I have ZERO desire to watch the SUNS get in and get Kobe'd in the first round.
Its difficult but i'm all for an "L" today so the FO can just get on with setting the charges and blowing out this team.

 

[Andrew]

Fast start that favors us, but we need to have Barnes play defense really hard. Howard is already walking over him...

 

[Ronin]

Yikes, that free throw wasn't even close.

 

[Ninjafish]

As i've said before,I have ZERO desire to watch the SUNS get in and get Kobe'd in the first round.
Its difficult but i'm all for an "L" today so the FO can just get on with setting the charges and blowing out this team.

I say we start by trading away everyone who can't hit free throws.