Thunder @ Suns 4-6-14

[Mainstreet]

The Thunder play at the Suns tonight with a 6 PM Arizona start time. There are two other games with specific playoff importance for the Suns. The Mavericks are presently playing the Kings on the road. And later today, the Grizzles play at the Spurs. More can be found about the Suns game in an article by Paul Coro at azcentral dated 4-6-14.

Thunder (55-20) at Suns (45-31) … 6 p.m. Phoenix tip time

C: Kendrick Perkins … Miles Plumlee

PF: Serge Ibaka … Channing Frye

SF: Kevin Durant … P.J. Tucker

SG: Andre Roberson … Goran Dragic

PG: Russell Westbrook … Eric Bledsoe

Key Thunder injuries: Thabo Sefolosha (calf) is questionable.

Key Thunder reserves: Caron Butler, Steven Adams, Reggie Jackson, Derek Fisher, Jeremy Lamb, Nick Collison.

The Suns (45-31) have a chance to move ahead of Memphis (45-31) and reclaim the eighth and final playoff slot in the West tonight if they win at home against the Thunder while the Grizzlies lose at San Antonio.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/coro-blog/2014/04/06/suns-thunder-game-preview-orange-slices/7389221/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Wow, you look at those matchups and it looks intimidating. Ibaka vs Frye and Durant vs Tucker are huge mismatches. Westbrook vs Bledsoe has to be considered one as well. Perkins would probably overpower Plumlee. The only place where the Suns have any real advantage is Dragic vs Roberson. (and maybe the bench).

We need a front line improvement--especially at the starting pf position.

Dallas just beat Sacramento by 2. Yuck.

 

[Mainstreet]

Mavericks win by 2 at the Kings. The Grizzlies trail by more than 20 at Spurs in 3rd quarter.

 

[Mainstreet]

I will give the Suns the edge in the back court. I am not high on Perkins so I will call the center battle a wash although the Thunder have Adams as well. The problem players, the Suns have no answer for Durant and Ibaka.

 

[elindholm]

Mavericks win by 2 at the Kings. The Grizzlies trail by more than 20 at Spurs in 3rd quarter.

It looks like Memphis is the team the Suns have to hope to overtake.

 

[Catlover]

I will give the Suns the edge in the back court. I am not high on Perkins so I will call the center battle a wash although the Thunder have Adams as well. The problem players, the Suns have no answer for Durant and Ibaka.

If Gerald Green dons his cape, the Thunder have no answer for him. If he runs around in lederhosen, we're probably toast. Keef could also be our x factor but his highs don't quite equal GG's. If we played the Thunder 100 times in Phoenix, we'd lose probably 60 times. We need this to be one of the 40.

 

[Catlover]

It looks like Memphis is the team the Suns have to hope to overtake.

It does and I was convinced for some time now that we'd by vying with Dallas instead. The Mavericks have risen to the occasion.

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like Memphis is the team the Suns have to hope to overtake.

The Suns need to play with the attitude they need to win out. Although that be a long shot, it needs to happen. I agree that Memphis may be the team the Suns have to beat out but Memphis have the series advantage if they tie in the standings.

 

[Mainstreet]

Plumlee impressive early. Frye not so much.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Thunder's defensive strategy seems to be stop dribble penetration and make the Suns shoot outside. Green needs to be hot tonight.

Bledsoe defeated that strategy on the last basket.

 

[Catlover]

Plumlee impressive early. Frye not so much.

Plumlee and Bledsoe impressive early. Frye and Dragic not so much.

 

[Catlover]

The Thunder's defensive strategy seems to be stop dribble penetration and make the Suns shoot outside. Green needs to be hot tonight.

Bledsoe defeated that strategy on the last basket.

If Frye and Tucker can start hitting three's that strategy will change quickly.

 

[SirStefan32]

Dragic needs to step it up. He hasn't been himself lately.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nice tip-in by Randolph.

 

[Mainstreet]

Dragic needs to step it up. He hasn't been himself lately.

He usually steps up his play and gets his points.

 

[AfroSuns]

He usually steps up his play and gets his points.

I was just gonna type that. He will find a way eventually.

 

[AfroSuns]

Randolph is really impressive. Doing hell of a job on rebound

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm sort of chuckling because I have Scott Brooks basketball card.

When they showed him on the bench, I just had to say it.

 

[sunsfan88]

Dragic is getting it going, good to see.

Loving Randolph. He's the new Lou!

 

[Mainstreet]

Randolph is really impressive. Doing hell of a job on rebound

He gives the Suns a backup center that is ready to play.

 

[sunsfan88]

We need to have Randolph or Plumlee in the game at all times.

 

[AfroSuns]

PJ is hitting his shot... that is a good thing

 

[Mainstreet]

Sweet basket by Dragic and one.

Then another basket.

 

[sunsfan88]

Seems like Dragic plays better without the beard.

 

[Mainstreet]

Seems like Dragic plays better without the beard.

Yup. It's not his style.