Western Conference First Round Game 1- Grizzles @ Suns Game Thread

[Amare32]

WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS-GAME 1​

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Memphis Grizzles (0-0) @ Phoenix Suns(0-0)​

When: Saturday 24th April

Time: 7.30 PT​

Location: Phoenix​

TV: TNT​

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Probable Playoff Starting Lineups:​

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Jason Williams/Steve Nash​

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Mike Miller/Joe Johnson​

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Shane Battier/Quentin Richardson​

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Pau Gasol/Shawn Marion​

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Lorenzen Wright/Amare Stoudemire​

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Injury Report​

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Grizzles​

None to report​

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Suns​

None to report​

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Amare32's Game 1 Prediction Matchups:​

Point Guards​

Jason Willams Vs Steve Nash​

This will be an excellent matchup. Two very quick point guards who know how to run the offense and pass the ball. But a lot of pressure will be on Jason Williams to try to slow down Nash. Can he play like a point guard and not be careless with the basketball? Or can he play within the Memphis offense and try to help the 8th seed grizzles steal a game in Phoenix? Willams will need to pressure Nash and force him to guard him inside and outside. That said Williams will need to do a great job on Nash to stop him from running the show and getting the fastbreak going and feeding guys like Amare, Marion, JJ and Q. Steve Nash is obviously the key guys for the Suns, he is the guy that makes things happen. Williams will need to try avoid getting destroyed on that pick and roll. If Williams doesn't control Nash then the Grizzles really don't have much of a shot.​

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Shooting Guards​

Mike Miller Vs Joe Johnson​

This is going to be a very good match-up, two very good shooting guards who have a habit of having big scoring nights when their team's need It. Both 40% + three-point shooters and both have no trouble getting their shots off. Both guys feed off their main big men Gasol and Amare. Both will need to bring their A game's for this game and the series. The one guy who can help make a different in this series to beat Phoenix is Mike Miller. If he can give the Grizzles 15-20 points then they Grizzles will have a chance at the upset. Joe Johnson is a good defender and can give Miller trouble, I don't think you could same the same with Miller.​

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Small Forwards​

Shane Battier Vs Quentin Richardson​

This is a match-up of different styles and roles. Shane Battier is your typical hard working, defensive minded guy who has proven to be quite a player in the clutch. He will always give you consistant numbers. A good shooter who can always provide a big stop when you need It. Quentin Richardson on the other hand is the heart and sole of the Suns team and the guy who can go 0-7 from three and then hit 5 or 6 in a row. He is very streaky and knows he wil keep shooting no matter what. He has been a good post-up player and a very good rebounder for his size and position. What each guy gives his team will be very important. Battier must defend Richardson and not let him get off early in the game. Like wise with Q If he defends Battier, he can't not underrate his offensive skills as he is more than capable offensive scorer.​

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Power Forwards​

Pau Gasol V Shawn Marion​

Another match-up of different styles and sizes. Gasol the 7'0 who can hit the jump shot and post up inside will be a tough cover for Shawn. Dealing with Gasol's length could be tough but If there is any guy who can defend the bigger forwards It is Marion. Who is known as a very tough man to man defender. As much of a problem as Gasol will give Marion, Marion will give Gasol even more problems on the other end. Marion can knock down the three and If you try and guard him out there will completely blow by you. Gasol has to find some ways to get Marion in foul trouble on the offensive end. It is questionable If Gasol will even guard Marion but in terms of starting 5, he may have to for some periods of the game.​

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Centers​

Lorenzen Wright Vs Amare Stoudemire​

If there was a huge mis-match in this series, this is certainly It. Amare should simply destroy Wright in all areas of the game. Weight is a soild big man who can rebound and pick up the garbage but Amare is simply a freak. A great offensive player who doesn't really seem to be able to be stopped. Only real fault is he doesn't play great defense and doesn't always rebound the ball the way he can but offensivey he is unstoppable to stop. Wright will really need to just make life tough for him as much as possible but the reality is this match-up will not be pretty.​

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Benches​

Obviously the Grizzles have the advantage here. They might just have the deepest bench in the NBA. Guys like Bonzi Wells, Earl Watson, Stromile Swift, Brian Cardinal are very good players to have off your bench and they will clearly bring more production than what the Suns have to offer. Jim Jackson and Barbosa will be the main guys off the Suns bench along with Walta. JJ will need to use his playoff experience to give the Suns a boost off that bench and maybe play some point guard when Nash needs extended rest If Barbosa isn't on either. Barbosa has been playing great ball lately and has done producting since he came back from injury. Those two guys will need to give the team as much as possible.​

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Key's to the game​

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Grizzles​

• Attack the basket and try and get Amare and Marion in foul trouble. Use the size to your advantage inside.​

• Let Gasol go to work inside and give him the ball downlow for him to get good position. He will have shots available to him and he must take the ball strong to the hoop​

• Jason Williams must control the point guard spot and not let Steve Nash run the show and get easy fastbreak buckets. Nash is the engine that runs the Suns and contending him will give the Grizzles a better chance of stealing game 1.​

• Playing tough hard nosed defense like they have done most of the season is a must. The Grizzles this year made Phoenix struggle abit shooting the ball and will need to keep them from their shooting their normal 48% shooting from the floor.​

Suns​

• Keep the Grizzles to one shot per offense. Suns problems this year has been giving teams way too many offensive rebounds which has hurt them at times. Controlling the boards will be a key factor in getting this series off to a good start.​

• Feed the ball to Amare and let him take advantage of his mis-match inside. Wright will not be able to guard him one on one and should blow by him with ease. Which will force cazr to make some match-up changes rather quickly​

• Steve Nash must as always look to push the ball and get easy fastbreak points. The Grizzles are a good defensive team so any chance you can get them out of their halfcourt set, It's always a good thing.​

• Bench production will be important as you know Memphis's bench will give them plenty when they enter the game. Jimmy Jackson, Barbosa and Walta will need to give the Suns that spark off the bench and of course the crowd in their first playoff game for a couple of years must go crazy and get behind their team.​

Final thoughts and predictions​

The NBA playoffs are finally here and here we have the Phoenix Suns as the overall number 1 seed and have homecourt not only in the west but throughout. Was quite a regular season performance winning 62 games and winning over 30 at home and on the road. Certainly not an easy feat.​

Now we move on to the first round and the Suns will face the Memphis Grizzles who edged out the Timberwolves for that final 8th spot. Their form to end the season has hardly been great. However they are still a very talented team who are very deep, well coached and play good team defense. They certainly won't be an easy team for the Suns to beat.​

Game 1 will obviously be a huge game and a win is needed for the home fans with this being the first playoff home game for a couple of years and several years since we start the series off with a game at home.​

The Grizzles will want to spoil the party and seal game 1, the away team always look to steal 1 of 2 going back home. Thats what the Grizzles job will be. The Suns mist start strong and take It to the Grizzles and make a point early on.​

I see the Suns and Grizzles staying close for 3 quarters but the Suns overall talent will see them through in the 4th quarter and take a much needed win to start the series off on the right foot. As the number 1 seed the last thing you want to do is embarass yourself by losing game 1 against the 8th seed.​

 

[Amare32]

Thought I would get this up early, gives everyone a chance to get plenty of early disussion in ready for sunday.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

no mention of stephen hunter? i think he'll have to play an important role as the griz can roll out a number of bigs (gasol, wright, and swift represent a very talented trio of post players).

also i think it's important to note that where the griz really match up well with the suns is that they are deep with ATHELETES. that means that the suns (a) won't have a physical advantage in running and (b) prolly won't be able to wear out the griz as we have done to other more traditional defensive-oriented teams.

 

[Amare32]

You are right about Hunter, he will be a key player in the rotation. He has been playing well lately and has given a real spark off the bench.

 

[Amare32]

bump

 

[Hard Hittin Adrian]

did u make all that urself?

 

[F-Dog]

The Suns are favored by 9 tonight, which is as much as any team has been favored by (for game 1).


IMO the two keys for the Suns tonight are ball-handling (high assists, low TOs) and hitting their perimeter shots. The Grizzlies will be slapping at the ball a lot, and their focus will be on keeping the score down; if the Suns can play efficiently on offense, the Grizz will have a very tough time trying to keep up.

I think Memphis will abandon the offensive glass tonight, so they can get back on defense. It will be interesting to see whether they show any new wrinkles, like jamming Nash at the point of attack or playing Dahntay Jones as their backup PF.


Memphis Grizzlies message board


Here's hoping for a big win for the good guys!

 

[myrondizzo]

Memphis Grizzlies message board

one guy on there was saying that miller is more versatile than joe i thought that was pretty funny. one homer even said there been is so much stonger than ours that they should sweep us. but most thaink that we should win in 5-6.

 

[Amare32]

did u make all that urself?

Of course

 

[Billythekid]

Lets GO SUNS!!!!!

Congrats to Shawn for the Hustle award.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Marion is going crazy!!!

 

[Amare32]

we are 9-13 from three so far but memphis have comeback and are only within 8

 

[BleedRed]

Nice first half. Go Suns!!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Violent foul looks like it might have seriously injured Marion. Things dont look good.

Edit: wow, he's staying in.

 

[Lefty]

Let's hope Marion is okay. I know he stayed in the game but so did Richard Jefferson when he hurt his wrist.

 

[Lefty]

Marion was just interviewed after the game on FoxSportsAZ and he said his wrist is hurting and they will be taking x-rays.

 

[The Commish]

Marion was just interviewed after the game on FoxSportsAZ and he said his wrist is hurting and they will be taking x-rays.

He wouldn't be playing if there was any chance that it was broken. Hopefully just a deep bone bruise.

 

[elindholm]

Stoudemire and Nash combined to shoot 6-20, and the Suns still won fairly easily. I think that's a good sign. Richardson looked very good in his first career playoff game, except for below-average shooting, and Hunter was out of his mind. The Suns won the rebounding battle, which is huge for them, and kept Memphis's big front court in check.

It's only one game, but things look pretty good so far for this series. Well, assuming Marion isn't seriously hurt, of course.

 

[hcsilla]

Very nice preview, Amare32, congrats.

 

[elindholm]

Very nice preview, Amare32, congrats.

Heck, if they're going to lead to victories, make 'em all that way!

 

[lancelet's cousin]

Tom Tolbert was very good in the final minute. But for the rest of the game the announcers were replaced with two people better suited to cover an event much, much slower than basketball-like curling. It was nice of them to fill it for the regular crew, as they sounded put off for having to be there.

But great win!!!!!

 

[scudney]

Tom Tolbert was very good in the final minute.

If you're referring to the TNT announcers, Mike Dunleavy was the color man, not Tolbert. I think Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins are the best team.

 

[goldseraph]

Memphis Grizzlies message board

Wow just read their 17 page long game thread - what whiny *******!
About 20 negative posts and ******* to every 1 intelligent or positive comment. I hope we're not that bad...

Nice game though by the Suns - a couple of ugly stretches as usual, but their hot streaks made up for it. Why wasn't Fratello playing Gasol? He didn't even play in the 4th quarter it seemed, and he was giving Phoenix trouble when he was in there.

 

[George O'Brien]

Wow just read their 17 page long game thread - what whiny *******!
About 20 negative posts and ******* to every 1 intelligent or positive comment. I hope we're not that bad...

Nice game though by the Suns - a couple of ugly stretches as usual, but their hot streaks made up for it. Why wasn't Fratello playing Gasol? He didn't even play in the 4th quarter it seemed, and he was giving Phoenix trouble when he was in there.

Hunter really shut Gasol down. I would guess that we will see more Hunter next game, especially if Marion needs time off.

 

[George O'Brien]

Barkley on the post game made the point that the only chance the Grizzlies have is if they score more since they won't be able to stop the Suns from scoring.

This reflected the fact that Amare and Nash had weak scoring nights and the team still put up 114 points against a slow down defensive team that held opponents to only 91.1 ppg during the season. You can't double team everything and Fratello gambled that leaving the Suns open to shoot three pointers wouldn't come back to bite him. The Suns shot 15 of 32 for three.