Phoenix vs. SA - Conf. Finals
- Thread starter Bibby_Is_Clutch
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Suns lose, and have more turnovers than assists (12 to 10) for the entire game. Marion performs another great no show act, not even reaching double figures in the scoring column.
Seems pretty evident from the first three games of this series that the Spurs were more than happy to face the Suns. Probably quite happy to face the Suns intead of the Mavs (who at least have a traditional lineup to combat the Spurs, unlike the Suns constant small ball).
Seems pretty evident from the first three games of this series that the Spurs were more than happy to face the Suns. Probably quite happy to face the Suns intead of the Mavs (who at least have a traditional lineup to combat the Spurs, unlike the Suns constant small ball).
I dont blame Marion... you have one of the best 1v1 defensive players in the league guarding him and when the rest of his team isnt doing much it doesnt draw bowen away from him at all.
Im surprised that Pheonix couldnt even get to 100 pts. I guess thats what happens when you score only 10 total points in the 2nd quarter.
Im surprised that Pheonix couldnt even get to 100 pts. I guess thats what happens when you score only 10 total points in the 2nd quarter.
As I was watching this game, I found myself rooting for the Suns.
For one thing, I can't stand looking at Bowen and Eva's faces. I thought she's filming a movie in Canada......
Anyway, the Suns players look so sad on the bench. Oh well....
Lastly, I think it's a jinx since beginning last season that whoever wins MVP or earn the number one seated (one or the other or could be both) would get manhandle in the WCF.
I believe the curse will continue next season.
For one thing, I can't stand looking at Bowen and Eva's faces. I thought she's filming a movie in Canada......
Anyway, the Suns players look so sad on the bench. Oh well....
Lastly, I think it's a jinx since beginning last season that whoever wins MVP or earn the number one seated (one or the other or could be both) would get manhandle in the WCF.
I believe the curse will continue next season.
Well, if you don't blame Marion for not showing up against Bowen, my guess is that you're not too hard on Peja when he gets completely taken out of a game by Bowen.
Imho, however, an All Star caliber player can't simply point to the fact that he is being guarded by a great defensive player as a reason for not really showing up for work in any of the first three games of the most important playoff series of his career to date. Maybe it's because this is Marion's first experience with the level of play at this stage of the playoffs, but I certainly didn't foresee this disappearing act.
And, it's not his fault alone that the Suns are down 0-3. The Suns were playing a man down in games 1 and 2 with the injury to JJohnson, and their team defense has been beyond atrocious in the 1st and 4th quarters of games, especially at home. Without looking at any stats, QRich still hasn't shot the ball well from distance for the entire playoffs, and Amare plays no man-to-man defense that I can discern. The Suns without their full complement of players are clearly a team that is having great difficulty overcoming their flaws against a team as polished as the Spurs. Still, I expected better from them. I'm just glad at this point that I'm not a diehard fan of the Suns.
Imho, however, an All Star caliber player can't simply point to the fact that he is being guarded by a great defensive player as a reason for not really showing up for work in any of the first three games of the most important playoff series of his career to date. Maybe it's because this is Marion's first experience with the level of play at this stage of the playoffs, but I certainly didn't foresee this disappearing act.
And, it's not his fault alone that the Suns are down 0-3. The Suns were playing a man down in games 1 and 2 with the injury to JJohnson, and their team defense has been beyond atrocious in the 1st and 4th quarters of games, especially at home. Without looking at any stats, QRich still hasn't shot the ball well from distance for the entire playoffs, and Amare plays no man-to-man defense that I can discern. The Suns without their full complement of players are clearly a team that is having great difficulty overcoming their flaws against a team as polished as the Spurs. Still, I expected better from them. I'm just glad at this point that I'm not a diehard fan of the Suns.
Game 4
Congrats to the Suns for not allowing a layup or dunk by Manu on the opening tip.
Amare out of the game in the first quarter with 2 fouls (after the refs changed a call originally made as a foul on Marion to a foul on Amare --- no idea if it was the right call, but the Suns' radio announcers weren't happy).
Spurs owning the offensive glass, and the game is tied at 11 with under 7 minutes left in the first quarter.
Congrats to the Suns for not allowing a layup or dunk by Manu on the opening tip.
Amare out of the game in the first quarter with 2 fouls (after the refs changed a call originally made as a foul on Marion to a foul on Amare --- no idea if it was the right call, but the Suns' radio announcers weren't happy).
Spurs owning the offensive glass, and the game is tied at 11 with under 7 minutes left in the first quarter.
According to yahoo, Spurs currently outrebounding the Suns 27 to 11. Spurs have almost as many offensive rebounds as the Suns do total rebounds (8 to 11).
Spurs currently have taken control of the second quarter, and lead by 4 with 6 minutes left.
One other point: Marion again is having a subpar game. That guy really has yet to show up in any of the first three games (other than one good rebounding game, I think), and now he starts the 4th game terribly.
Spurs currently have taken control of the second quarter, and lead by 4 with 6 minutes left.
One other point: Marion again is having a subpar game. That guy really has yet to show up in any of the first three games (other than one good rebounding game, I think), and now he starts the 4th game terribly.
Big Shot Bob/Rob hits two threes in the final minute and a half of the first half to give the Spurs a 7 point lead going into halftime. Spurs hang 36 points on the Suns in the second quarter. Amare playing no defense on Duncan since he's got two fouls, and to this point, Amare has ZERO rebounds. That's right --- ZERO! The most athletic guy on the court, hands down, and he has no rebounds in an elimination game on the road.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again --- thank goodness I'm not a diehard Suns' fan at this point. I wouldn't have any hair left after the way that they have played in this series. Yes, the Spurs deserve some of the credit, but the Suns just have not played inspired basketball. It's almost as if they didn't really expect to beat the Mavs, and after they did, they have just been satisfied with getting this far.
Edit: Also not to be outdone by Amare's poor rebounding effort is Marion, who in 21 first half minutes has zero points and has taken only two shots. Only three rebounds as well.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again --- thank goodness I'm not a diehard Suns' fan at this point. I wouldn't have any hair left after the way that they have played in this series. Yes, the Spurs deserve some of the credit, but the Suns just have not played inspired basketball. It's almost as if they didn't really expect to beat the Mavs, and after they did, they have just been satisfied with getting this far.
Edit: Also not to be outdone by Amare's poor rebounding effort is Marion, who in 21 first half minutes has zero points and has taken only two shots. Only three rebounds as well.
Well 4cwebb you do have a point. Marion has clearly not shown up. He is almost afraid to take a shot. Not only is bowens defense amazing but Marion just isnt ready to play. Spurs will be sitting at home waiting for the 7 game series that Det/Mia are about to produce. Gives them plenty of rest for the finals. Could be good or bad. hmmm... 
Well, Suns put 35 on the Spurs and outscore them by 14 to take a 7 point lead into the 4th quarter. Marion decided to show up in the third quarter with 9 points, JJohnson is playing well, and Nash and Amare are working their pick and roll well. Amare had a couple of silly turnovers from the sound of it, but otherwise Suns do a great job of putting themselves in position to win this game and force a game 5.
Key will be if they can start the 4th quarter well and maintain their 7 point lead.
Key will be if they can start the 4th quarter well and maintain their 7 point lead.
Suns holding their seven point lead through the first 3 plus minutes of the 4th quarter with Nash on the bench. Still not rebounding the ball well. Amare with 2 rebounds to this point, both on the offensive end. Considering that the Spurs have 16 offensive boards, it would be quite helpful if Amare would focus on the defensive glass here in the 4th quarter.
Suns taking a gamble here with JJohnson and Amare out of the game with 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
Suns over the team foul limit with 7:50 left in the game. Good thing for the Spurs at this point.
Edit: potentially not as good for the Spurs as I'd initially thought. Duncan 2-10 from the free throw line to this point in the game.
Suns up 95-90 at this point. Can the Suns beat the Spurs to the 100 point mark for once in this series? Suns miss next shot, Spurs with the ball down 5. Manu hits a three, 95 - 93 with 6:40 left. I'd imagine that JJohnson and Amare will be back in the game after this timeout (no idea why they were out in the first place as neither are in foul trouble).
Suns over the team foul limit with 7:50 left in the game. Good thing for the Spurs at this point.
Edit: potentially not as good for the Spurs as I'd initially thought. Duncan 2-10 from the free throw line to this point in the game.
Suns up 95-90 at this point. Can the Suns beat the Spurs to the 100 point mark for once in this series? Suns miss next shot, Spurs with the ball down 5. Manu hits a three, 95 - 93 with 6:40 left. I'd imagine that JJohnson and Amare will be back in the game after this timeout (no idea why they were out in the first place as neither are in foul trouble).
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Mad scramble for the ball, Amare gets mugged, a foul is called, and then Manu flops (this all according to Suns' announcers). Don't know what happened after that (yahoo gamechannel has some listing of a technical or double technical), other than Amare makes one of two free throws to give the Suns a 107-103 lead.
As a sidenote, all of this acting/flopping by Manu, Dirk, Horry, and even their predecessors in Vlade and Bill Laimbeer is really annoying, especially when it occurs after the whistle in a cheap attempt to draw technical foul.
Bowen knocks in a three to cut the lead to 1 with less than one minute left in the game, 107-106.
As a sidenote, all of this acting/flopping by Manu, Dirk, Horry, and even their predecessors in Vlade and Bill Laimbeer is really annoying, especially when it occurs after the whistle in a cheap attempt to draw technical foul.
Bowen knocks in a three to cut the lead to 1 with less than one minute left in the game, 107-106.
Amare gets a layup to push the lead back to 3, 109-106.
41 seconds left in the game, and I can say only this to the Suns: Beware of Big Shot Bob/Rob. If I could wager on him hitting a three in these last 41 seconds, I certainly would do so.
If I'm the Suns I might foul Duncan if he touches the ball (as long as Amare doesn't commit the foul as he is the only one with 4 fouls in the game at this point).
41 seconds left in the game, and I can say only this to the Suns: Beware of Big Shot Bob/Rob. If I could wager on him hitting a three in these last 41 seconds, I certainly would do so.
If I'm the Suns I might foul Duncan if he touches the ball (as long as Amare doesn't commit the foul as he is the only one with 4 fouls in the game at this point).
Amare with a block on Duncan to give the Suns the ball, and the Suns grab the offensive board after JJohnson misses a shot. Nash at the free throw line with 6 seconds left in the game and a three point lead. Nash makes the first free throw, so that should be game.
Suns still haven't done anything to make the series respectable by winning one game, but at least they have sent the series back to PHX for game 5, and if they can win a game at home, would at least make the series respectable.
Suns still haven't done anything to make the series respectable by winning one game, but at least they have sent the series back to PHX for game 5, and if they can win a game at home, would at least make the series respectable.
Wow Amare's block... his hand was stronger than Duncans arm... crazy... the kid is a man-child. I think the Amare and Ginobli thing was overhyped. Amare, obviously po'd just pulled the balla way from this Ginobli who tried to get the ball after the whistle... Im rooting for the Suns to come back all the way and who knows.... Marion starting to get his touch because Bowen is having to guard Johnson but Johnson is torching Bowen. This is going to be an interesting game 5.
After saying in another thread that this man was more luck than clutch... I take that back... he drilled that 3 with ALL the pressure on him. (even though they led 3-0) Without Horry and Nazi the Spurs wouldve lost by 20+... The off-rebounding by the Spurs was just rediculous... Amare only had 5 boards... his height and strenght...cmon!
The Suns may have won tonight, but I don't think they can do that 3 out of the next 4 games. My prediction is that Robert Horry will break their hearts - just like he has ours on occasion.
One thing about the Spurs is that they rarely make the same mistakes twice. Pop will have them reviewing those game tapes until they have them memorized and they'll lock down on defense and make it really hard on Nash and crew.
Even in losing, I still thought the Spurs were the better team.
One thing about the Spurs is that they rarely make the same mistakes twice. Pop will have them reviewing those game tapes until they have them memorized and they'll lock down on defense and make it really hard on Nash and crew.
Even in losing, I still thought the Spurs were the better team.
