Suns vs. Nuggets 12/20

[slinslin]

If we beat San Antonio and New Orleans that will be 10 straight road wins, a franchise record.

Memphis
Toronto
@San Antonio
@New Orleans

All must wins except San Antonio.

Man we could be 24-1. Including 12-0 on the road without the collapse in Cleveland.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we beat San Antonio and New Orleans that will be 10 straight road wins, a franchise record.

Memphis
Toronto
@San Antonio
@New Orleans

All must wins except San Antonio.

Man we could be 24-1. Including 12-0 on the road without the collapse in Cleveland.

yeah - but we could just as easily have more losses as well - like tonight - Lakers game #2 and the Seattle game. That's why I think it's a bit foolish playing the woulda-coulda-shoulda game. You are what your record is - no better - no worse and bottom line - our record is pretty freaking unreal!

Hopefully we'll be 24-3 when we take on San Antonio. If we win that game - on the road - there will be no doubt in my mind that this team can SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY compete for the title this year. I want to be there, but I'm not there quite yet althugh I'm starting to believe that we may be of the same caliber as Minnesota.

 

[elindholm]

Workmanlike, tough-fought road win for PHX. Denver played very good, and were hitting shots they don't normally hit.

I agree. This game made me wonder why some people on this board are so down on Nene. He has a lot of ability, including a mid-range shot that has to be respected.

It was a playoff atmosphere and Denver was clearly energized. I agree with George that the Nuggets probably played better tonight than they would have if World B. Anthony had been available.

I don't usually complain about the officiating, but I thought that the calls were clearly in Denver's favor in the first half. The first offensive foul called on Stoudemire was a joke. The Nuggets (especially Martin) were grabbing and holding on most rebounds. In the second half, there were still a lot of bad calls, but they were more balanced.

The Suns made a much better effort on the defensive glass tonight. I haven't looked at the box score to see how they did, but the second shots they gave up weren't nearly so careless as usual. If they can continue to take defensive rebounding seriously, they could be very good.

Kenyon Martin and Nene were a handful. Can't imagine what it would have been like with Camby available.

Camby isn't as mobile as Nene and Elson. Part of how those two hurt the Suns was by getting to open spaces quickly. Also, Camby wouldn't have had the strength advantage against Stoudemire than Nene had.

Damn, this team team NEVER gives up.

They kept their poise very well. Nash had an uncharacteristically sloppy game and Johnson suffered his usual big-game swoon, but the team just kept hanging in there and stayed focused on the task. Hunter is looking amazing -- an absolute steal, if he can keep this up.

22-3. The season just keeps getting better.

I've been able to watch about half the games this season, maybe a bit more, and I thought this was one of their most impressive efforts.

 

[Lefty]

I missed the game and it looked like I missed a great one. Just watched ESPN and Greg Anthony has the Suns his #1 team. Pretty funny that a month ago he and Steven A. Smith were mocking Tim Legler when Tim said the Suns would win 50+ games this year.

 

[elindholm]

Smith were mocking Tim Legler when Tim said the Suns would win 50+ games this year.

The Suns would have to go 28-29 the rest of the year to win "only" 50 games, so I'd say that number looks to be well within reach.

 

[jibikao]

I JUST WATCHED ESPN!!!

Wow, what a finish. Man, that Q is defnitely clutch!!! First in Sonics and then in Denver.

I thought that Nash's drive in the end would seal the deal but Q got blocked, Amare missed the follow up but Q with a lightning quick hand, tip the ball in!!!!!

That's why I like this Suns. They are an elite who goes to the opponents court to win games. I don't care if it's 1pt win or 20pt win, I just like 22-3.

Sure, they lost Melo, the leading scorer and probably rebounder, but there are times that Melo is the cancer on the team. I am not too impressed with Cambie either 'cause he just seems a bit weak to me and he doesn't have a good offense game. I didn't watch the game but sounds like Denver were on fire.

Oh well, we shot 53% which is not bad...not bad at all.

Overall, a great win and a win that beats Mavs 2003 21-3 record. Now those Mavs fans are going to be jealous... lol

Man, it's great to be a Suns fan this year!!!

Jimmy

 

[sly fly]

Nene definitely impressed me this game. In fact, he's turned it up a few notches lately. He's playing like they envisioned.

Why did he have a less-than-expected year last season? And, why is he now only playing better? I know he was injured a bit, but something else must be up.

He was an animal tonight. He's built like Karl Malone. And, he has a nasty edge to him.

That being said, he's going to have nightmares about Amare tonight.

 

[jibikao]

Somebody mentioned that the opponents will try to bring their A+ now.

I agree with that saying because nobody is going to think Suns was LUCKY. All the teams are going to bring their best game to combat Suns.

I expect to see a bit less point differential. What are we now? Still 9.5pt point differential? Or we are 10 now?

Edit: oh wait..just checked with NBA.com and Suns has 11.5 PD!!! Oh yeah baby.

Jimmy

 

[George O'Brien]

As happens every year, Denver is a much better team at home than on the road. 9-5 at home but only 4-7 on the road. I don't care what their record is, they are dangerous in Denver and certainly proved it tonight.

I think the Suns are getting tired. The starters play very long minutes and there have been a lot of games in the past week. They have been a step slow on defense for the past three games and it is hard to produce in the Mile High City when that tired. As great as it is to be on a roll, I think having only two games prior to the Spurs game next Tue may be very valuable.

Amare's return to form was very encouraging. He looked awful against the Wizards, but looked like himself against the Nene, K-Mart, and Elison.

 

[Azlen]

Tonight was the fourth game in the last six days so I would expect them to be a bit tired, but they still managed to get the win. Thankfully they only play two games over the next week and they are both at home, so they should be well rested for their game in San Antonio.

 

[NDSunsfan]

the best part of the whole game was the fact that the Suns didn't take any TO's the last minute of the game. Denver was out of TO's and after each of their last two baskets, the Nuggets seemed surprised the Suns just took the ball out and played. As great as Nash has played, I think the confidence D'Antoni showed in just letting his players play says even more than rubes like us can say.

My feelings when I watch Suns game this year is so different. It's just a feeling of calm. I get the feeling they'll be all right, they don't ever seem rattled, so I guess I don't either.

Great effort last night.

 

[fordronken]

I only got home in time to watch the last two minutes. I love this team.

 

[Chaz]

I got home late but I recorded the game.

This was a great win the Nuggegts played great and guys stepped up for them with Melo out. Bryan Russell and Nene really filled in with some scoring the Nuggets needed.

If not for Russell's threes the Suns might have broken it open in the 3rd. Great poise by the Suns, great execution by Nash down the stretch, and a great tip by Q to seal the win.

Very impressive game by both teams I thought. It came down to who had the ball last.





BTW Where is Nugz fan?

 

[George O'Brien]

BTW Where is Nugz fan?

He's been strangely quiet.

Actually we haven't had very many visitors from other teams lately. Often they come by to knock the Suns, but it is hard to knock 22-3.

BTW, Nene looked pretty good, but he was a not a big factor near the end of the game. Sometimes we forget just how effective the Suns "wear out their big men" strategy works in the fourth quarter.

 

[SirStefan32]

What a great game!!!

Denver played about as well as they can possibly play.

Great game to watch. I love last sec. shots.

Go Suns!!!