Phoenix 94, San Antonio 87
VIVA LOS SUNS?!?! If anything this win is going to overblown by the wrong people tomorrow. Either people are going to say the Suns are for real (aka most people here in Phoenix) or people are going to make the mistake of jumping on the ‘Do the Spurs have issues?’ bandwagon. Either way they are both wrong, however in this era of sensationalism and needing a story to talk about, those will become topics.
Don’t get me wrong this was a big win for Phoenix. And not because it snapped the 3-game home losing streak. Not even because they beat the Spurs, they’ve done that before.
It was a big win because it showed the world what that Shaq trade means for them.
It means that this Phoenix team is built for the postseason. This is a team that can win gritty, slowed-down, half-court, physical affairs. That team from last year had to get lucky to win those types of games. Obviously they are a step slower and are somewhat bewildered on how to defend the pick-and-roll…but having Shaq in the middle of the lane changes things. The proof is in the pudding.
- In the last 5 minutes, Tim Duncan went 0/2. Both were missed driving layups, both missed while trying to attack Shaq.
- Out of Tony Parker’s 7 field goals, only 2 of them were in the paint and only 1 was a layup.
- Ditto for Manu Ginobili.
- The Suns held the Spurs to two points in the final 5:11. Two stinkin’ crappin’ points.
If I’m Phoenix I don’t even panic. I see the good from this game. I see that we’re built to finally be able to slay the Spurs. I think in the back of Nash and Shaq’s minds they do that, but the craziness of the conference has a put a higher sense of urgency on winning. They can’t feel as comfortable ironing things out with losses so the pressure turns on. It shouldn’t be. Just like the Spurs won’t be sweating this loss, the Suns should just iron the kinks out and treat this as a dress rehearsal for the big show.
There isn’t much you can write about the Spurs in March. When they win they win, when they lose they lose.
Sacremento 114, Lakers 113
Yes, Mamba actually CAN miss game-winners. I didn’t believe it either.
The Kings march into Staples Center and give the Lakers a nice little wake-up call. As good as they are…they aren’t there yet. This might have been the slap in the face the Lakers needed so they can take their frustrations out on Toronto before gearing up for a major Western Conference road swing. New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah. Yikes.
Onto the game…the Kings just made shots. They shot 55% on the night and had very few points in the paint. Lakers thought they were going to walk in and win. Beno Udrih said no way. 25 points, 10 assists makes me wonder how this guy didn’t work in San Antonio. It’s just proof that no coach is perfect and sometimes all it takes is opportunity to show your abilities. And somebody please give it up to Spencer Hawes (aka Brad Miller Jr) for showing up big under the bright lights. 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks…well done youngster. Maybe your dad will take you to Red Robin to get a shake and some bottomless fries.
Detroit 116, Chicago 109
Chauncey Billups was en fuego. 34 points on 9/12 shooting and 13/14 from the line saved the Pistons from dropping this one. He saw no Sheed and picked up his scoring. I still can’t believe I just witnessed a starting frontcourt that featured both Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff. Gotta love Theo, he was in his stealing money phase until it became his contract year. So what did he do? Block enough shots for people to think he was good again, “get hurt” and end up on a new team feeling great. Can’t wait until this honeymoon is over.
Chicago wasted a prime performance from Ben Gordon who just loves to light the Pistons up. His only two misses came in the 4th quarter which means he was on fire. Is there anyone in Chi-Town who isn’t in Boylan’s doghouse? He’s a much worse interim coach than Kevin Mouton, I mean at least the Beavers played hard for him. Aaron Gray is back-talking to him, Duhon is missing shootarounds. Chicago is a major-league mess right now, and unfortunately for my eyes they are still only 1.5 games out of the playoffs. Oh please….please just keep losing.
Toronto 114, Seattle 106
In Rasho we trust??? Apparently that’s the word up in Toronto after today. Nesterovic dropped 17 and 6 on Seattle in their win. While he might get most of the love, it has to go to Toronto’s bench. As much as they miss Bosh, even when he comes back these guys have to contribute. Delfino had 15, Kapono had 10 (including 2 threes to end that cold spell) and Kris Humphries had 12 points in 14 minutes. All 6 of his field goals came in the paint.
Kevin Durant had one of his better games of the season in a losing effort. 20 points, 6 rebounds , 7/15 shooting and he only shot one three. I like that…don’t like the 5 TO’s though. Sonics couldn’t win even though their two-headed PG monster (Earl Ridnour) outplayed Toronto’s (TJ Calderon). 25 and 17 for Seattle’s duo while Toronto got 13 and 9.
Philly 119, Milwaukee 97
Philly right now is a 1/2 game behind Washington for the 6th seed. This may be me new favorite team out East. They are a shooter away from even thinking about making noise though. Milwaukee…they’re just really bad. For no reason either.