Archive for the ‘Phoenix Suns’ Category

2010-2011 National TV NBA Schedule!

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Posted 10 Aug 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Both games between the NBA champion Lakers and the Miami Heat, led by their All-Star triumvirate of Chris Bosh, reigning NBA Most Valuable Player presented by Kia Motors LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, will air nationally. The Lakers host the Heat on Christmas Day on ABC (5 p.m. ET), with the Heat hosting in Miami on March 10 on TNT (8 p.m. ET).

One of the league’s most experienced and battle-tested teams matches up against one of its youngest and most explosive squads on Nov. 19, when Boston’s quintet of stars – Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo – hosts reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant, emerging star Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET).

TNT’s Thanksgiving night doubleheader will begin with All-Stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford leading the Hawks against the Washington Wizards and John Wall, the top overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft (8 p.m. ET). The second game features Blake Griffin, last year’s top overall selection, and the Los Angeles Clippers hosting reigning T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings (10:30 p.m. ET).

In James’ first visit to Cleveland as an opposing player, the Heat takes on Antawn Jamison and the Cavaliers on Dec. 2 (TNT, 8 p.m. ET).

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey on Houston Sports Radio 610:

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In one of the league’s best rivalries, All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony lead the Denver Nuggets when hosting the Los Angeles Lakers and All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on Friday, Jan. 21 (ESPN, 10:30 p.m. ET).

The Orlando Magic, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and star guard Jameer Nelson, hosts All-Star Derrick Rose and the new-look Chicago Bulls, including star forward Carlos Boozer, on March 4 (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET).

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 6 Recap

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Posted 30 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant scored nine points in the final 2 minutes, finishing with 37 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Phoenix Suns 111-103 and return to the NBA Finals for the third year in a row.

Bryant, with his 10th 30-point performance in his last 11 postseason games, moved ahead of Jerry West and into a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second-most 30-point playoff games at 75. He has a ways to go for the record of 109 held by Michael Jordan. “Kobe’s so good, “ teammate Lamar Odom said, “he makes incredible normal for us.”

Ron Artest added 25 points. But the night belonged to Kobe Bryant who has unstoppable during the Conference Finals. Bryant has the all-time lead for 30-point playoff road games when his team has the chance to clinch with 8.

Amare Stoudemire, in what may have been his last game with the Suns, scored 27 points but struggled to a 7-of-20 shooting. night. Nash added 21 points and nine assists in his 118th playoff game, the most for anyone who has never reached the finals. “You might say we overachieved,” Nash said, “but we’re a good team.”

Goran Dragic scored 10 of his 12 points in a fourth-quarter rally that got Phoenix within three points, but a steal by Odom, and a big buckets from Kobe sealed the win.

Lakers will face the Boston Celtics, who they lost to in 6 games in 2008. (Finals preview coming Monday) NBA Finals begin Thursday.

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 5 Recap

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Posted 27 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Lakers return to Los Angeles and get back to business, improved defense (15 turnovers for Phoenix), deflections ( 7 steals), and 10 blocks. Ron Artest beat the buzzer with a wild bank shot after rebounding Kobe Bryant’s miss, and the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 103-101 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, but Artest was the improbable hero with just his second basket of the night after missing back-to-back threes on the previous possession. Pau Gasol had 21 points and 9 rebounds.

The Suns rallied from an 18 point deficit to tie the game with 3.5 seconds left. Of course the game winner went to Kobe, who air balled the shot. Ron Artest got the rebound and with 1.8 seconds left put it the basket off the glass.

Steve Nash had 29 points and 11 assists, and was the only consistent player the Suns had. Channing Frye had 14 points, and 10 boards. The Suns bench went from scoring 54 points in Game 4 to 31 in Game 5.

The Lakers had 28 dimes to the Suns 19.

Game 6 is Saturday night in Phoenix, where the Lakers can clinch the chance to play for their 16th championship. Lakers lead series 3-2.

Ron Artest / Craig Sager Interview: QUEENSBRIDGE

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 4 Recap

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Posted 25 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This stat should some up this entire recap. Suns bench 54 points, Lakers bench 20 points. Suns even the series winning 115-106.

The Suns bench caught fire from deep, including Channing Frye who had missed 17 straight shots(3 short of the record 20 set by Sam Cassell with the Boston Celtics in 2008) finally found the touch finishing with 14 points on 4 of 8 shooting from three. Amare Stoudemire lead the Suns with 21 points and 8 boards.

Just like Game 3 the Lakers fell under the “zone defense magic spell” trying to shoot over the defense instead of taking the ball to the basket. Lakers went 9-28 for three, for 32%. Kobe was the only Lakers that wasn’t phased by the zone finishing with 38 points, 10 dimes, and 7 boards.

The Suns are the smaller team but out rebounded the Lakers 51 to 36.

Game 5 is Thursday back in Los Angeles. Series tied 2-2.

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 3 Recap

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Posted 23 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With 8:47 left in the 4th quarter, Suns head coach Alvin Gentry put Steve nash back in the game while Lamar Odom gave the Lakers lead. Phoenix went on a 17-6 run to get up by as much as ten and held on to win Game 3 118-109.

Amare Stoudemire had yet to show any intensity all series, and was a game away from losing a lot of cash this off season. He exploded in Game 3 with 42 points tying his Playoff career high, and 11 boards. He went 14 of 18 from the free throw line, while the Lakers as a team went 16-20. Phoenix had a 42-20 advantage at the stripe, +21 in makes.

Steve Nash was his usual brilliance with 17 points, and 15 assists. The Suns also got a big lift from Robin Lopez who finished with 20 points on 8 of 10 shooting. The Suns lead the league in 3 point% during the season, but shot a paltry 25% from deep. Fortunately for Phoenix the Lakers were lulled into the same game, shooting 9 of 32 from deep.

Kobe Bryant went to work early hitting seven of his first nine shots, finishing with 36 points 11 dimes, and 9 boards. Pau Gasol had 23 points and 9 rebounds, but that was about all the Lakers could muster against the surprise Suns zone-defense.  Lamar Odom was a big factor in the first two games vanished back itno his candy factory in Game 3 fouling out with 10 points on 4-14 shooting.

Suns look to tie the series on Tuesday. Lakers lead the series 2-1

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 2 Recap

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Posted 19 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns played tougher in Game 2, but the Los Angeles Lakers played better, period. The Lakers full of options, took full advantage of the Suns lack of defense to take a 2-0 lead, winning 124-112.

Pau Gasol was pretty much unstoppable scoring 29 points on lay-ups and quick cuts to the basket. Lamar Odom who has played up and down his entire career has played the first two games of this series with a much more focused output then I have ever seen. Odom finished with 17 points on 7-10 shooting, 11 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. After Game 1 Amare Stoudemire said Odom was “lucky” to have gotten 19 boards. Amare finished Game 1 with only 3 boards, he had 6 in Game 2.

The Suns plan to double-team Kobe Bryant in the first half backfired. It lead to 13 dimes from “Show-E” himself , the highest by a Laker in the postseason since Magic in ’96 against the Houston Rockets. He also had 21 points, but his ability to get others the ball quick led to Gasol’s scoring and left Ron Artest WIDE OPEN. Ron Artest had 15 points at the half, finishing with 18 points on 6 of 9 shooting.

The Suns may need to go all LOS SUNS on the Lakers if they are to have a chance. Steve Nash struggled early and late, coughing up the ball twice when the Suns had finally cut it to two. He finished with 11 points and 15 assists, but he and Stoudemire combined for 10 turnovers. The Lakers had 14 turnovers total.

Bright spots for the Suns(no pun intended) was the play of Jason Richardson, Grant Hill, and Jared Dudley, who combined for 65 points and 8-14 from three. The Suns had more 3-pointers in the first half (6) than they managed in all of Game 1 (5). Defense must be the only focus, at least better defense, and someone wake up Channing Frye!

Enjoy the video of Dragic attempting to end the stellar career of the Sith Lord Joey Crawford!:

Game 3 is Sunday night in Phoenix. Lakers lead series 2-0.

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NBA Western Conference Finals: Game 1 Recap

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Posted 17 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 showed no signs of weakness(besides Vujacic). Kobe drops 21 p0ints in the 3rd quarter finishing with 40 points and Lakers defeat the Suns 128-107. Bryant last scored 40 points in the postseason during the opener of last year’s NBA finals against Orlando.

If you were unaware the Lakers are a BIG team, and that hieght disrupted the Phoenix shooters who went 39 of 79 from the field, and 5 of 22 from deep. The “Kardashian Enigma” Lamar Odom played at a level he seldom shows with 19 points, and 19 boards.

Nash had 13 points, and 13 assists in 28 minutes but the Suns will have to increase their level of defense. Allowing the Lakers to shoot 58% from the field and 47% from behind the arc and scoring 128 points spells SWEEP.  Amare Stoudemire had 23 points, but the best three-point team this season was a woeful 5 of 22 from deep.

Game 2 is Wednesday at 8PM/ET. Lakers lead series 1-0

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Posted 10 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category NBA, Phoenix Suns

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Monday Morning Gumsmacking

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Posted 10 May 2010 — by spechater
Category Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Slaughter

The four-time champion San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs last night in shocking fashion, being swept 4-0 by the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were able to finally avenge the countless playoff series losses to the Spurs throughout the past decade, winning the last two series games in San Antonio. It would appear the Spurs are officially heading towards the rebuilding stage. Tony Parker definitely has productive years left in him and Ginobili should be able to play at a high level for a couple more years, barring injury. But Timmy D looks to be slowing down and is definitely not the dominate force he used to be. Oh yeah, it’s safe to say that the Richard Jefferson experiment did not work out. Look for the Spurs not to re-sign him when his contract is up. Just not a good fit for the Spurs.

Rage on Rondo!

Can anyone on the Cavs stop Rajon Rondo? So far this series, the answer is a resounding NO. The long-armed PG has by far been the best Celtic in this series, in the playoffs in general.  There is no longer a Big 3 in Boston, it is the Big One. He is putting up numbers in this series that your Create-A-Player would have in the old school NBA Live games. Triple doubles are pretty much expected at this point. If the Cavs don’t find a way to stop Rondo from running circles around their defense, they will continue to be relegated to the moniker of “Regular Season Champions”.  They must attack him on offense and seriously think about putting LBJ on him. Anthony Parker and Mo Williams ain’t the answer!!!

Someone’s Goin Fishin Soon

The Atlanta Hawks were destroyed in Game 3 by the Orlando Magic, who are 7-0 in the playoffs. And, there is absolutely no indication that this series will not be a sweep. The Hawks are clearly unmatched and have no fight in them. And, this for the team that wants to be considered to be one of the elites for the East. This for a team that had to go to Game 7 to beat a depleted Milwaukee Bucks team in the first round. Personally, I don’t think Mike Woodson is a good coach. He doesn’t seem to be able to motivate these guys. They just don’t respond to him. If the Hawks have any shot of beating the Magic in Game 4, Joe Johnson has to step up.

Where Did He Come From?

Although the Lakers have a commanding 3-0 lead over the Utah Jazz and will win this series, I have been impressed with undrafted free agent Wesley Matthews. Honestly, I never heard of him in college, but this guy works hard and can play ball. He seems like he loves the challenge of guarding Kobe, is active around the basket, and has a nice stroke on the perimeter. His approach to the game fits in well in Jerry Sloan’s system. I guarantee that come contract time, there will be other teams trying to pry him away from Salt Lake City.

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NBA Playoffs: (Day 23 Recap)

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Posted 09 May 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs

(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

After the worst loss in Celtics playoffs history Boston had more then ego to make up for. In Game 2, and 3 the home team was blown out, Game 4 the Celtics became the first home team this series to lead by double digits. But the performance put on by Rajon Rondo was too much for the Cavaliers to handle. 29 points, 18 boards, and 13 dimes. His fourth triple-double of the playoffs and an incredible performance by the Celtics All-Star point guard. Rondo had more rebounds then the other 4 starters combined. Boston also got a huge contribution from Tony Allen who scored a playoff career-high 15 points in 26 spirited minutes.

Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett scored 18 apiece and Pierce continued to struggle, managing only nine points in 31 minutes. Fouls were a constant throughout the game as the both teams combined for 79 free throws. The Cavaliers did not generate a single second-chance point and hauled in only three offensive rebounds. Boston registered 13 second-chance points behind nine offensive boards. LeBron James scored 22 points, but oversharing led to a seven-turnover performance. Shaquille O’Neal added 17 points, his high for this postseason.

A seesaw series tilts back to even as we shift back to Cleveland for Tuesday’s Game 5. The Celtics absolutely needed a win Sunday and got it. While Cleveland still has the homecourt edge, Boston at least guaranteed this series will come back to Boston on Thursday. Series tied 2-2

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