Amare32
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
SEMI-FINALS-GAME 3
Phoenix Leads Series 3-2
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks
When Friday 20th May
Time: 7.00 PT
Location: ACC, Dallas
TV: ESPN
Probable Playoff Starting Lineups:
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Jim Jackson
SF-Quentin Richardson
PF-Shawn Marion
C-Amare Stoudemire
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PG-Jason Terry
SG-Michael Finley
SF-Josh Howard
PF-Dirk Nowitzki
C-Erick Dampier
Game 6 prediction match-ups
Point guards
Steve Nash Vs Jason Terry
Steve Nash had yet another amazing performance in game 5 registering his first ever career playoff triple double. 34 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. While shooting 13-26 from the field. The Mavericks for some reason refused to guard him and the pick and roll hurt the Mavs but for different reasons. Instead of It going to Amare, they stayed at home and let Nash shoot many 15-17 footers which he nailed. Nash has scored 82 points in his last two games. This time though he got guys involved which is what he needs to do again in game 6. He should be given the chance to score again but getting guys involved first will be important. Jason Terry had a strong peformance offensively with 17 points and also had 8 assists but even though he got assists he couldn't control the pick and roll or do the same offensively. He is certainly not a true point guard. He needs to try and exploit Steve Nash offensively for Dallas have to have a better chance to win.
Shooting guards
Jim Jackson Vs Michael Finley
Jim Jackson had the best game of his playoffs this year with 21 points in game 5 which included 15 in the 4th. He shot 9-14 from the field while pulling down 5 rebounds in over 45 minutes of action. He was simply great in game 5 and made the huge plays when Nash was sitting at the start of the 4th. Jimmy will again need to play the same kind of game for game 6 in Dallas. He is the key to the team no doubt. Michael Finley again struggled in game 5, scoring just 7 points on 3-11 shooting. He got killed badly in this match-up and unless Dallas can get more out of him I don't see the Mavericks winning two in a row.
Small Forwards
Josh Howard Vs Quentin Richardson
Quentin Richardson struggled from the field and didn't make a single three-point shot. He scored just 7 points while also getting into foul trouble. He did however do a soild job getting to the rim and drawing the defense giving more chances for Amare inside. Q is due for a breakout game, here's hoping tonight is the night. Josh Howard had another very strong game with 19 points and 10 rebounds in game 5 in response to his 29 and 10 in game 4. Howard shot 8-13 overall for his 19 points. He did a very good job attacking hit and the mid-range shot. He needs to keep up his play going into game 6.
Power Forward
Shawn Marion Vs Dirk Nowitzki
Shawn Marion struggled from the field in game 5 shooting just 7/18 bur he still scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds along with 2 block shots. He missed some easy shots he normally makes but did a good enough job on both ends to help his team win. He will again be key to closing this thing out tonight in game 6. Need to get better looks inside and not just settle for the jumpshot. Dirk Nowitzki has another strong game with 34 points and 11 rebounds on 11-22 shooting. He was feeling It all night but when the game was on the line he couldn't make the shots when It mattered. Dallas will need him in the clutch for game 6.
centers
Amare Stoudemire Vs Erick Dampier
Amare Stoudemire rebounded well from a poor game 4 and poured in 33 points and 18 rebounds on 10-17 shooting and 13-15 from the free-throw line. Which also included 3 block shots. He did a great job in the 2nd half of taking It to the basket. He had 14 rebounds in the 2nd half and 21 points. He really took It to the Mavericks inside. He must play with the same mind set tonight as he did in game 5 and the Suns could be going to the conference finals. Erick Dampier meanwhile did a job on the boards with 14 and had 3 blocks but was 0-7 from the field in 36 minutes and again got in foul trouble. He must stay out of foul trouble in game 6 and give them more offensively inside.
Benches
Suns bench again scored only 3 points compared to the Mavericks 29. All coming from Jerry Stackhouse but again the bench play wasn't a huge factor
Key's to the game
Mavericks
- Dirk needs to step up in the clutch. He had big numbers in game 5 but didn't look to take over enough when the game was in the balence to start the 4th.
- Get more production out of Michael Finley. Not the first time me mentioning this. Finley has been missing in action the past 3 games since his great game 2 performance.
- Erick Dampier must stay on the floor and give them more offensively. He can use his size inside to at least try and get the Suns forwards in foul trouble. We know what he can do defensively.
- At least try and guard Nash. The Mavericks tried to let him beat them but in the process let him open for an easy 15 footer at leats 8-10 times. A shooter like Nash is going to knock those down 70% of the time.
- Amare got back to his dominating self in game 5 with 33 points and 18 rebounds. He also got to the line 15 times. Which is the kind of performance the Suns hoped for. Amare will need to take It strong to the basket hard again for this important game 6.
- Have another good game from Jim Jackson. Jimmy who had 21 points and 5 rebounds in game 5 will need his offense and overall defense for game 6 to take more pressure off the big 3.
- Michael Finley has struggled since his big performance in game 2 so keeping his scoring down again will be key. He has scored a combined 16 points in the last two games.
- The Mavs are going to come out with loads of energy so getting off to a fast start is a must. It's hard to win in that kind of atmosphere on the road and come back to win If you start off slow.
The Phoenix Suns won game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead against the Dallas Mavericks by winning 114-108 at the america west arena. Led by Steve Nash's triple double of 34 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Amare Stoudemire with 33 points and 18 rebounds but the big story was Jim Jackson's 21 points and 5 rebounds which included 15 in the 4th. He came up huge for the Suns in the 4th and now the Suns are one game away from a place in the conference finals.
There is no doubt that the Dallas Mavericks are going to come out with full of energy in game 6. Their season is on the line tonight. A do or die game and I'm sure their fans will be behind them the whole way. The Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs closed out their series in 6. Both went into the lower seed's house up 3-2 with a chance to close out. That did what great championship level teams do, they closed the door and did not allow the other team to have a sniff to take It back to a game 7. The Suns must do the same tonight. Set the tone early and don't let up.
I don't think I could handle a game 7, even If It is on our home floor. It's time to close this series out and move onto the conference finals which would start on sunday with a Suns win tonight. I have alot of confidence we can close this thing out tonight and move onto the conference finals.
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