Thunder @ Suns game thread 3-2-18

[Mainstreet]

Tonight the Thunder visit the Suns for a 7 p.m. Arizona time game. The Suns beat the Thunder 114-100 in their earlier meeting this season in Phoenix.

Warren and Chandler are listed as questionable.

The Lakers beat the Heat and the Kings beat the Nets last night.

In regard to the standings, the Suns currently have the third worst record in the league and the most losses.

Here is more from Scott Bordow in the game update and at the link below.

Thunder at Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM

Update: The Suns snapped a 10-game losing streak with their win over Memphis on Wednesday. Phoenix has won three straight games against Oklahoma City, including one of its few signature wins this season, a 114-100 victory on Jan. 7. Tyson Chandler (neck) and T.J. Warren (tailbone contusion) are listed as questionable. The Thunder have won four of their past five games. Point guard Russell Westbrook is averaging 24.9 points, 10.3 assists and 9.6 rebounds per game. The task of slowing down Westbrook will fall to Elfrid Payton and, perhaps, rookie guard Shaq Harrison, who had four steals in the win against Memphis.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...sh-jackson-jay-triano-devin-booker/385802002/

 

[Mainstreet]

This may have already been posted elsewhere but here is a recent Alan Williams update.

Evan Sidery‏@esidery 15h15 hours ago


Triano said they hope to have Alan Williams going through 5-on-5 by mid-March. He will see action over the last month in the rotation.

Great news as I look forward to seeing him play again.

 

[Mainstreet]

Some more from the ESPN Preview.

Devin Booker and rookie Josh Jackson have been the Suns' two bright spots along the way.

Booker has scored 34, 40, 30, 27 and 28 points in his last five games while making 17 3-pointers. He missed the four games before that with a hip injury.

Jackson had a career-high 29 points against Memphis, with seven rebounds and four assists. He was 10 of 13 from the foul line while starting for TJ Warren, who missed the game with a bruised tailbone. Warren's status for the next game is unclear.

Jackson has 10 20-point games in his last 20 games after having one in his first 43. His previous career high was 23 points.

"Some of the things he does just catches me off guard," Booker told The Arizona Republic.

"I'm like, 'Wow.' He was unbelievable the whole night."

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400975679

 

[JCSunsfan]

Some more from the ESPN Preview.







http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400975679

Josh Jackson was like a puppy pointer, running around like crazy at the beginning, but not really hunting. But now, he is starting to hunt, settling down and focusing on the task.

 

[Mainstreet]

Josh Jackson was like a puppy pointer, running around like crazy at the beginning, but not really hunting. But now, he is starting to hunt, settling down and focusing on the task.

If Jackson masters the outside shot he will be unstoppable.

He needs to continue to work on it or grow to 6'11."

 

[Mainstreet]

Warren is slated to start tonight. Chandler may return on Sunday against the Hawks.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


T.J. Warren (bruised tailbone) will play and start tonight. Chandler out, but Suns hoping for Sunday return.

10:09 AM - 2 Mar 2018

 

[mjb21aztd]

Haven't had time to watch suns how has Jackson been improving both rebounding and man on man def? Also how long did suns try bender at p g guessing not long?

And do most of you think Payton the new acquisition will stay long term?

Will try to watch tonight...

But got a new job in Phoenix night shift makes it hard meh....

 

[Mainstreet]

Haven't had time to watch suns how has Jackson been improving both rebounding and man on man def? Also how long did suns try bender at p g guessing not long?

And do most of you think Payton the new acquisition will stay long term?

Will try to watch tonight...

But got a new job in Phoenix night shift makes it hard meh....

Jackson has been playing crazy good of late. He guards multiple positions and was guarding Marc Gasol the other night. LOL

I will quote Scott Bordow as he is more precise.

Since Jan. 1 he’s averaging 16 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Over the past five games he’s averaging 19 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest and in Wednesday’s 110-102 win over Memphis he played more than 40 minutes, guarded three positions – including Memphis center Marc Gasol – and stuffed the box score with a season-high 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Bender has not played much PG at all. However, Shaq Harrison has started to takeover backup PG duties from Booker and he has played some fantastic defense. I think we will see more of him the rest of the season.

Payton has played so well all we discuss is his hairdo.

I think he has a good chance of sticking with the Suns.

Enjoy the game tonight!

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...sh-jackson-jay-triano-devin-booker/385802002/

 

[Chaplin]

A shame that Jackson is being sent back to the bench. I thought he'd earned to start, even with Warren back.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is the Suns starting lineup.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Suns lineup: Len, Bender, Warren, Booker, Payton

4:22 PM - 2 Mar 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

Stephon Marbury next on FSAZ coverage.

 

[Mainstreet]

Now Amare is on.

 

[Mainstreet]

Amare says he can do a better hairdo than Payton. LOL

Got to see Marbury sing in Chinese in a video clip.

 

[Mainstreet]

Payton should do a hairdo like Amare.

 

[Mainstreet]

Anthony over Payton but he played good defense. It was a mismatch.

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns off to a good start. They lead the Thunder 10-6.

Len with a nice block on Steven Adams.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's all run and gun basketball tonight.

 

[Mainstreet]

Josh Jackson's move are unbelievable.

Suns lead Thunder 37-32 at end of 1st quarter.

 

[Mainstreet]

Booker is going for 4000 points and he will not be denied.

scott bordow

@sbordow
Devin Booker needs 29 points to become third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 4,000. Only LeBron James and Kevin Durant were younger
5:59 PM · Mar 2, 2018

He has 17 points and 5 assists.

 

[Finito]

Booker is on fire and OKC knows it running at him and Booker being mature drawing the defense and dishes out to cutting Jackson over and over I love it

 

[Mainstreet]

Booker is on fire and OKC knows it running at him and Booker being mature drawing the defense and dishes out to cutting Jackson over and over I love it

Both Booker and Jackson are playing lights out.

 

[Finito]

It's a shoutout.

Suns can't keep this pace up

 

[Mainstreet]

Amare calls Payton's hairdo "the wave."

 

[Mainstreet]

It's a shoutout.

Suns can't keep this pace up

I don't think so either but they have fooled me thus far.

 

[Finito]

Beautiful bounce pass by Jackson to Chriss