Amare32
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
QUARTERFINALS-GAME 3
Phoenix Suns
Lead the series 2-0
Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzles
When Friday 29th April
Time: 6.00 PT
Location: FedExForum, Memphis
TV: ESPN2, UPN 45
Probable Playoff Starting Lineups:
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Joe Johnson
SF-Quentin Richardson
PF-Shawn Marion
C-Amare Stoudemire
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PG-Jason Williams
SG-Mike Miller
SF-Shane Battier
PF-Pau Gasol
C-Lorenzen Wright
Game 3 Prediction Matchups:
Point Guards
Steve Nash Vs Jason Williams
Steve Nash again struggled with his shot again in game 2, shooting just 5-16 from the field and had 4 turnovers but still had 15 assists and ran the Suns offense as good as ever. He must shoot better in game 3 as you can count on the Grizzles playing with more energy on their home floor and Jason Williams is bound to be up for the game even more with the home crowd for him. Nash must push the ball, attack and dish. I don't think his shooting slump is anything to worry about. He is bound to bounce back. Jason Williams had a strong start to game 2, going 6/6 to start the game in the first quarter and he shot the ball very well from deep. Shooting 3-5 from three but the one problem he had was he only had 2 assists. When you compare the two roles, even though Nash shot badly he had 13 more assists than Williams. He must improve on that area as the more assists he gets the better chance the Grizzles will get good looks around the basket
Shooting Guards
Joe Johnson Vs Mike Miller
Joe Johnson again had a very strong game in game 2, came up with big shots when It counted. Adding 20 points on 7-14 shooting, 2-4 from three and 8 rebounds and a 1 block shot. He really did dominate this match-up. In game 3 he must continue to play at this high level in the games on the road in Memphis. Shoot the ball with confidence and knock down open shots as with Nash attacking and dishing, he will get some good looks. Mike Miller meanwhile had real problems in game 2. Picking up 4 fouls, playing only 19 minutes, shooting 1-5 and only finishing with 3 points. The Grizzles will need more production out of him If they are to get back in this series. He must bring his A game If the Grizzles are going to avoid ending their season.
Small Forwards
Quentin Richardson Vs Shane Battier
Quentin Richardson had a strong game in game 2, with 15 points on 5-9 shooting, 5 rebounds along with a huge block late in the game. He gave the Suns a big boost once again. Helped get the crowd into the game and shot the ball well from all areas. He will again be depended on the same again in game 3 where you know Memphis will look to come out firing. Shane Battier was again soild in game 2, basically the same numbers as game 1. He isn't known as a scorer but he will be needed to give them an extra boost offensively If they are to have a good enough chance of coming back from 0-2.
Power Forwards
Shawn Marion Vs Pau Gasol
This match-up was a great head to head battle in game 2. Shawn Marion who some thought may not of played because of the injury he picked up in game 1, had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 block shots on 10-18 shooting. He brought alot of great energy and high flying moves to help his team win. He must stay strong in game 3, heading to Memphis. He has dominated in this series and must mentain his series play so far. Pau Gasol who struggled in game 1 shooting from the floor had a very strong game shooting 13-26 overall, 28 points and 16 rebounds, which included 9 offensive rebounds. Gasol kept the Grizzles in the game and gave then a chance to win the game. Gasol must play with the same mind set as he had in game 2. Gasol is the kind of player who can be a dominanting big man. The Grizzles paid him 86 million for a reason, they believe he can be their superstar to build around. Now is his time to become more consistant.
Centers
Amare Stoudemire Vs Lorenzen Wright
Amare Stoudemire who had a quiet game in game 1, certainly didn't have the same kind of performance in game 2. Amare finish off with 34 points, 8-16 from the field, 18-22 from the free-throw line which tied a Suns record for most FTA, 10 rebounds and 1 block shot. He was all over the court and couldn't be stopped inside. He got to the line anytime he wanted to and made It clear he wouldn't take no dirty play from anybody. He must attack the rim strong again in game 3. Amare had an off game in game 1, I don't expect him to have many bad games again in this series. Lorenzen Wright did a very soild job inside in game 2, picked up the garbage inside and finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds. He did the job he is known for and that is a good energy around the basket and put backs. That said he is never going to compare to Amare in this match-up. Wright put at least give them double fiqures heading back to Memphis, that way they won't have to completely depend on their great bench.
Benches
Bench play was completely different in game 2 than It was in game 1. The Suns who got over 30 points from their bench in game 1, had only 5 points in game 2. All coming from Steven Hunter. Although with 3 Suns players playing over 40 minutes, one could say how do they have a chance to get good bench production? the bench combined took only 5 shots. Barbosa played only 7 minutes and didn't take a shot. Barbosa who has played well lately, was a surprise not to see him play more. The Grizzles on the other hand got 30 points off their bench led by Brian Cardinal who had 13 points and 6 rebounds. The Suns must get more from Jim Jackson, who really is the x-factor off the bench. He is a well experienced vet and he and the Suns must get more from their bench in game 3. With Memphis you know what you are going to get from their bench which can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Key's to the game
Grizzles
- Get good ball movement, Jason Williams the Grizzles point guard had only 2 assists. There's no real excuse for that for a point guard
- Give Gasol the ball and let him go to work. He had 28 points and 16 rebounds in game 2. He is starting to feel It and he is a very tough cover for the Suns. So make sure he touches the ball on every offensive set.
- Mike Miller must show up. Miller struggled with foul trouble and had just 3 points while taking just 5 shots and missing 4 of them. He must come to play in game 3
- Find another way to guard Amare, he had 22 FTA and had 34 points in all. Memphis will likely make more ajustments to play him.
- Keep the Grizzles off the offensive glass, mainly Gasol who had 9 offensive rebounds by himself. Which hurt the Suns as the Grizzles got plenty of 2nd chance points
- Feed the ball to Amare and let him go to work. Amare had 34 points in game 2 along with making 18-22 free-throws. He simply dominated the game for the Suns. The Grizzles had no answer for him insde
- Get out on the break as much as possible. The Grizzles are a tough defensive team as we all know so any team you can get them out of their halfcourt set will be a bonus. Get them to play the Suns style.
- Bench production will be important again, the Suns after having great bench production in game 1, had only 5 points in game 2. All coming from Steven Hunter so guys like Jim Jackson and Barbosa must give the team something so the starters won't be forced to play 40 minutes again
The Phoenix Suns claimed a 2-0 series lead heading into Memphis after a close 108-103 win in game 2. Amare Stoudemire pacing the Suns with 34 points and 10 rebounds which included 18-22 from the line. Shawn Marion had 22 points and 13 rebounds. Steve Nash finished with 15 assists, although he did struggle again from the field. This game was back and forth all game. Suns held a 6 point halftime lead but it was neck and neck in the 2nd half with Memphis taking a 5 point lead with around 4 minutes left in the game but the Suns did a great job defensively in the final 4 minutes or so to hold them to 4 points while scoring 14 at the other end. With some huge defensive plays, one by Q blocking Gasol's shot really helped the Suns which also got the crowd into the game even more. The building was rocking all night which may of played a factor in Memphis's meltdown.
Memphis heads into game 3 knowing they must win otherwise they are facing a sweep. Down 0-2 the Grizzles have no room for error. They must come out strong and feed off their home crowd. The start of this game will be key for both teams. If It is close in the 4th quarter, I like the Suns chances. The Grizzles don't have a guy who can come up in the clutch and finish off games. That has been their problem all year and It was their problem in game 2. The Grizzles are facing the same kind of situation as they did last year Vs the Spurs. When they were 0-2 heading back to Memphis and got swept. That series may be in the back of their minds. They know what they need to do, they know they are facing the best road team in the NBA. The Suns know that they only really need one of two to basically end this series. They will be out to get two, get some rest for the next round. This game is key for both teams. A Suns win tonight and a sweep would seem likely
I fully expect the Suns to come out strong but at the same time I dont expect the Grizzles to come out flat either. This is a do or die game for the Grizzles. They know they must win or this series is basically over. Which is why I feel they will come out really strong. No team wants to get swept for two straight years. There is certainly some extra motivation for them to get this W.
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