Suns vs Grizzlies Nov.10

[LV-Suns]

Suns vs Grizzlies
7 PM

No team has averaged more points than the Phoenix Suns since the 2002-03 season, a fact that former Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni is well aware of.


Since Iavaroni took over the Memphis Grizzlies last season, he's had a different -- and decidedly unpleasant -- view of the run-and-gun Phoenix offense.

The Suns averaged more points against Memphis than they did against any other Western Conference team last season, a trend they'll try to continue Monday as they look for their ninth straight win over the visiting Grizzlies.

Phoenix scored 103.7 points per game from 2002-03 to 2006-07, when Iavaroni built his reputation as one of the NBA's top offensive assistants under head coach Mike D'Antoni. Iavaroni left for Memphis prior to the 2007-08 season, but the Suns remained in great shape. They scored 110.1 ppg, the fifth-best average in the league in the past 13 years.

But Phoenix (5-2) took it to a different level against the Grizzlies in Iavaroni's first year on the bench. The Suns put up 128.7 ppg in three wins over Memphis, their highest average against any conference opponent, and shot 58.0 percent in the three games, their best percentage against anyone in the NBA.

"This is one of the best offenses in the league," said Iavaroni after a 127-113 Phoenix win on April 8, the Suns' eighth straight over Memphis. "They have so many weapons ... on both ends of the floor."

D'Antoni is now in New York, replaced by first-year coach Terry Porter, and so far, Phoenix hasn't been quite the scoring machine it's been in recent years. The Suns are scoring just 102.7 ppg, but they're giving up only 98.1 ppg, nearly seven per game fewer than a year ago.Amare Stoudemire's production hasn't dropped whatsoever -- he's averaged 25.6 points while shooting 64.4 percent through seven games. Perhaps the best news for Phoenix, though, was the latest performance from Shaquille O'Neal.

With a tough stretch of four road games in five nights, Porter sat O'Neal Friday in Chicago, a 100-83 loss. The next night in Milwaukee, O'Neal made his presence felt all game. He had 29 points -- his most since being traded to Phoenix in February -- and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 104-96 win.

"At this rate, he's getting a day off on back-to-backs," Porter said. "He can have as many days off on back-to-backs as he wants if he plays like this."

While Porter has the Suns playing better defense in his first season in Phoenix, Iavaroni has the Grizzlies doing the same in his second year in Memphis. The Grizzlies (3-4) gave up 106.9 ppg last season -- third-worst in the league -- but they're allowing only 92.1 per game in 2008-09.

Yet after giving up 85.3 ppg in their first four games, they've yielded 101.3 per game in losing two of their last three, including a 100-90 loss in Denver on Sunday.

Despite two losses thus far in its four-game road trip, Memphis has seen some encouraging offensive signs from rookie O.J. Mayo. Since turning 21 on Wednesday, Mayo is averaging 26.3 points in his last three games while shooting 57.9 percent (11-for-19) from 3-point range.

Mayo had 20 in the first quarter on Sunday, but scored only 11 the rest of the way, foiled by a second-half defense geared toward stopping him.

"I don't think they took his shooting seriously in the first half," Iavaroni said. "They gave him some wide-open looks."

Despite the three losses last season, Memphis forward Rudy Gay averaged 30.7 points against Phoenix. Gay, leading the Grizzlies with 20.0 ppg, is shooting just 39.5 percent through seven games.​

ESPN
​

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Keep you eye on Marc Gasol. He has bursts of awesome throughout his games. He may be too quick for shaq and has a nice outside jumper. Would like to see how Lopez deals with him too.

However, they have zero, zilch, nada, no answer for Amare unless theyre playing gasol and darko at the same time. Expect 30+

I love the conley, mayo, gay trio. Very promising future if they stick together.

 

[Ronin]

Conley looked scared against the nuggets last night, it should be interesting to see he how recovers tonight.

 

[dodie53]

go suns!

 

[Andrew]

Hopefully another W to put on the list...

 

[Espo]

Had a chance to chat with the Memphis Flyer Grizzlies' beat writer Chris Herrington today and he seems to think that Darrell Athur will be the guy Suns fans need to keep an eye on.

... Arthur has rebounded very well and been an active presence defensively. He’s really the only player on the Grizzlies’ roster who can come even close to matching up with Amare Stoudemire physically. He’s got the ability to be a scorer, but his mid-range shot isn’t falling so far. Tonight will be the toughest match-up he’s ever faced.

He had a lot of interesting things to say about the Grizzlies (which I'm pretty sure is the first time a person has actually typed that before).

http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/11/10/behind-enemy-lines-breaking-down-the-grizzlies-with-the-memphis-flyer/

 

[TheHopToad]

Suns game on opposite the Cardinals on MNF. What are the odds I can get through the Cards game without seeing the score on the scroll so I can watch it on the DVR afterwards? Good thing it's only Memphis...

 

[hafey]

Not very impressed with Conley. However, I love Mayo.

 

[Ronin]

Marc Gasol is out with his second foul

 

[LV-Suns]

Nash with 3 turnovers already.

 

[phxsuns49]

Anyone know why Amare isn't wearing his goggles?

 

[LV-Suns]

Anyone know why Amare isn't wearing his goggles?

I just noticed it too. lol

I knew he wasn't going to stick with it.

 

[Proteus]

Hmmm...Suns tied 19-19 after 1 quarter.

What's up with the offense lately? The Suns are shooting only 43% with 0/4 3 pointers. The Suns have 6 turnovers, 3 of them by Nash.

 

[Bufalay]

Hmmm...Suns tied 19-19 after 1 quarter.

What's up with the offense lately? The Suns are shooting only 43% with 0/4 3 pointers. The Suns have 6 turnovers, 3 of them by Nash.

They only have one consistent offensive player.

 

[LV-Suns]

Lopez posterized.

 

[LV-Suns]

LB is playing great. 9 pts already.

 

[Andrew]

Stupid foul on Barnes, Grizzlies are sticking around...

 

[Sovereignz]

Starters are putting up a lot of bricks. Don't say that very often.

 

[Griffin]

Suns with 12 turnovers in the first half. On the bright side, the Suns outscored the Grizzlies by 3 when Nash was resting.

 

[S_Nash]

We need to develop some sort of system where we play SSOL against teams like OKC, Memphis, Sacramento..etc, and then let Porter have more say against the upper echelon teams.

For four years I never once worried about dropping games to teams like the Grizzlies. I do now. All part of the ride I guess.

 

[Proteus]

Suns are tied at 44-44 at the half. The Suns are shooting 49% but only 1/7 3 pointers, the Grizzlies are shooting 44% with 0/4 3 pointers.

The Suns have 12 turnovers, the Grizzlies 9.

The Suns are 3/3 from the free throw line while the Grizzlies are 10/12.

Amare has only 8 points on 4/7 field goals with free throws.

 

[Andrew]

Its tied because of all the turnovers, keep the ball guys...its not that hard

 

[LV-Suns]

Its tied because of all the turnovers, keep the ball guys...its not that hard

Yes it is. Have you been watching the games lately?

 

[LV-Suns]

Diaw just went off..

 

[Proteus]

Suns up 82-70 after 3 quarters. The Suns are shooting 50%, the Grizzlies 40%. Suns have 14 turnovers, the Grizzlies 11.