Amare32
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
QUARTERFINALS-GAME 2
Phoenix Suns
Lead the series 1-0
Memphis Grizzles @ Phoenix Suns
When: Wednesday 27th April
Time: 7.30 PT
Location: Phoenix
TV: TNT
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 StoudemireInjury Report
Grizzles
None to report
Suns
None to report
Amare32's Game 2 Prediction Matchups:
Point Guards
Jason Willams Vs Steve Nash
This again will be a key match-up for game 2. Jason Williams shot the ball well on sunday night scoring 17 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists on 7/13 shooting which included two three-pointers. He still had problems as everyone does stopping Nash on the break and getting easy baskets. Many times Nash was able to lop the ball from mid court for an easy lay-up/dunk mainly to Marion or Amare. Williams will need to control the tempo of the game and try to at least slow the game down which will best suit his team. The Grizzles have no real chance unless this happens. Nash had an off game shooting the ball, he was just 3-11 from the field but dissed out 13 assists. He did struggle shooting the ball but hit a big three and killed the Grizzles hopes of a comeback with 5 minutes left in the game when his three put the lead up to 13 and that was the ball game.
Shooting Guards
Mike Miller Vs Joe Johnson
Mike Miller did exactly what I said he needed to do for game 1, shoot the ball well and put up the points which he did quite effectively. Miller tallying 19 points on 7-10 shooting which included 5-7 from deep. He gave his team a chance and helped them hang around for long periods of this game. He must keep his production going in game 2, I don't think the Grizzles could of asked much more of Miller. He did what he was suppose to do, spot up and shoot the ball. Joe Johnson meanwhile had a fine outing, where he flirted with a triple double. Adding 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists with included 3-5 from three-point land. He will again remain a key to game 2, he will continue to get over looks when Nash drives and kicks. We saw that quite abit in game 1. With this Phoenix team It is more or less of pick your poison. Joe always plays within himself and when he is gives chances he should look to attack the rim as you should expect him to be under more defensive pressure from the Memphis defenders. Cazr is a good coach who knows how to make a justments.
Small Forwards
Shane Battier Vs Quentin Richardson
Shane Battier did a good job on the boards and shot decent enough but didn't take many shots, mainly due to his role is a little different. His job is mainly at the defensive end but defending guys like Q and most guys in the Suns team is really tough. Battier will again need play well defensively and give them some production on the offensive end. Q who you thought could of been nervous heading into his first playoff game did a good job and It wasn't just his stats. He gave the team alot in terms of energy for the players but mainly got the fans into It. He himself tallied 22 points, 5 rebounds 4 assists which included 4 three-pointers. He hit big shots at key stages of the game, he will again be needed to knock down open shots If Amare keeps getting double and triple teamed.
Power Forwards
Pau Gasol V Shawn Marion
Pau Gasol knew he had to have a great game in the first game of the series for Memphis to pull It off. He however struggled, shooting just 8/19 and many times not demanding the ball down low enough. Gasol is a good enough post scorer to be effective against the Suns, in game 2 he must get off to a strong start otherwise his team will again struggle. The last thing they need to do is get off to a slow start and let the Suns rack up over 35 points again. Shawn Marion on the other hand, had a great game giving the Suns 26 points, 13 rebounds on 11/19 shooting but It wasn't all good for the matrix. He was fouled badly by Shane Battier and came down on his wrist. He isn't 100% sure to play in game 2, although most in the Suns camp believe he will be good to go. He did say on monday that If the game was on that day he wouldn't be able to get out there. The Suns struggle more without Marion out than any other player. He brings so much to the table in all areas. Points, rebounds, defense, steals and overal presents on the floor is a big plus. If he doesn't play then the Suns could struggle.
Centers
Lorenzen Wright Vs Amare Stoudemire
Lorenzen Wright didn't give the Grizzles much If at all in game 1, he shot only 2/7 and had only 5 points and 7 rebounds. He was never going to be a huge threat though. But he must clog up the lane and make life at least tough on the Suns players that attack the rim. Amare had a quiet game registering just 9 points while shooting just 3-9, although he did have 10 rebounds. He got in foul trouble and ended up playing just 30 minutes. The Grizzles doubled and tripled teamed him most times down the floor and It is clear they have made a decision that they are not going to let him go off but in doing that leaves wide open gaps for the rest of the Suns shooters. Double teaming Amare just doesn't seem like a wise decision when you have so many other scorers and shooters on the floor. Amare just needs to keep doing what he is doing, don't force the issue and play within himself and take what the defense gives.
Benches
Bench play was always going to be a key factor but the Suns more than held their own against one of If not the deepest team in the NBA. The Suns got 30 points off the bench, while the Grizzles had 36. The MVP of the benches has to be Steven Hunter. He added 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks on 7/11 shooting in only 20 minutes. He gave the Suns a huge life off that bench. As did Jim Jackson who set the tone in the 1st quarter when he knocked down two threes that helped Phoenix build a 39-28 first quarter lead. James Posey did a very good job from the Memphis side, getting 11 points with included shooting 50% from downtown. Memphis were expected to count on their bench dominating the Suns's bench through this series so the production the Suns got was a huge boost. If the same happens in game 2, the Suns will like their chances at taking a 2-0 lead to Memphis. Key's to the game
Grizzles
- Attack the basket and don't let the Suns get out from misses. Which happened quite alot in game 1. The Grizzles have to keep the game at their tempo
- Let Gasol go to work inside, he struggled from the floor in game 1 where he shot just 8-19 and scored 19 points. He must demand the ball on the block. Something he didn't do enough in game 1
- Jason Williams must control the point guard spot like he needed to do in game 1. Nash had 13 assists and quite alot led to easy fastbreak points. Amare and Marion got the most of those looks. Williams gave the Grizzles good production offensively but he needs to control the game at the other end. Which is easier said than done.
- Playing tough hard nosed defense is important and not letting the Suns get out on the break and that fast start. You can't let a team like the Suns score close to 40 points in the first quarter and expect to win the game
Suns
- Keep the Grizzles to one shot per offense. The Suns did a good job on the boards which led to easy points down at the other end. Amare has been getting double and tripled teamed so any easy fast break points for him to get him going and that way the defense won't be set up the better
- Feed the ball to Amare, he got double teamed alot during game 1 which gave plenty of chances for everyone else. If the Grizzles use the same game plan for game 2, he must keep doing what he has done. There will be times where he will dominate inside, but he must play smart. There are plenty of chances for other guys on this team. Grizzles have to pick their poison
- Bench production will be again be key to game 2. The Suns got 30 points from their bench in game 1. Mainly from back-up Steven Hunter. If he can bring the same kind of energy for game 2, It will go a long way to getting another win locked up. Jim Jackson will also look to use his experience by connecting from downtown like he also did in game 1.
- Forcing the Grizzles to play the Suns up tempo game which could also be a deciding factor. Grizzles like to run but no one can out-run the Suns, anything to get the Grizzles out of the halfcourt set will help the Suns build a very nice 2-0 lead.
Final thoughts and predictions
The Suns got their NBA playoffs off to a great start by winning game 1 114-103, the crowd were hyped up for their first playoff home game for a couple of seasons for the first time at home for quite a while. It was a very balenced effort by the Suns with 5 double in double fiqures with two other getting 9 and 8 points. The Suns were paced by Shawn Marion with 26 points and 13 rebounds, Quentin Richardson adding 22 points while Steve Nash a double double with 11 points and 13 assists. The Suns got out to a fast start leading by 11 after the first quarter at 39-28 and never looked back. The Grizzles got the lead down to 5 quite a few times but the Suns always had an answer for whatever run the Grizzles had.
The only worry heading into game 2 is the status of Shawn Marion, who was fouled hard by Shane Battier and hurt his wrist. Shawn stated he doesn't know If he will be good to go for wednesday night. It will be one of those wish and hope situations. If he isn't good to then Steven Hunter who had such a huge performance in game 1 (16 points on 7/11 shooting) will likely be given the starting spot which will move Amare back to PF. Which will put more pressure on Amare to score the ball, of course he is more than capable of doing. Joe Johnson will need to bring his A game even more so if Marion is out
Game 2 is always a huge game in a best of 7 series, you can look at It on both sides to how important It is. The Suns don't want to go into Memphis tied at 1-1, the Grizzles would then have all the confidence and belief that they can win the series, which is never a good thing for the higher seed. The Grizzles meanwhile know they can't afford to be down 0-2 heading back home. All the pressure will be on them to get that first home win of the series and when you consider how great of a road team the Suns are, the Grizzles might not have enough belief they can get back into the series. So all in all game 2, will be big for both teams
Obviously this prediction is based the health of Shawn Marion and the performance they put in for game 1. Homecourt advantage will again for the deciding factor for me. The Grizzles will no doubt be badly looking to tie this thing up going back home but the Suns should have enough to pull out another game and take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Getting off to another fast start will again be key, likewise with Memphis. You should expect another high scoring game but the Suns will pull It out in a slightly closer affair this time. Which It should be If Marion does miss the game.
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