Game 6 expectations

I think the Suns may have been forced into an adjustment in Game 5 (i.e., small ball, using Marion as the main scoring option) that just might give them the edge they need to win. Yes, the Spurs adjusted by the end of Game 5, but that's because the Suns had no other options to fall back on. With Amare and Diaw back for Game 6, it could be the one new weapon that tips the balance.

One other point: Phoenix really wants the championship. The Spurs do, too, I realize, but in Phoenix, there's a feeling that this is it, this is our last best shot, everything that has been building over the last few years points to this year. If it doesn't happen, there's been talk of breaking up the team. The players know that it isn't just a season on the line, it may be the final game of an era. With the Spurs, it's a chance at a championship, yes, but there's no reason to think it's the last chance. That could play against the Suns if it translates into nervous desperation (which it may for some players, especially young guys like Barbosa), but I suspect it may give them just a little more of an edge.

If there was ever a home game to have the blackout, this would be the one...

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Originally Posted by Stargazer

I think the Suns may have been forced into an adjustment in Game 5 (i.e., small ball, using Marion as the main scoring option) that just might give them the edge they need to win. Yes, the Spurs adjusted by the end of Game 5, but that's because the Suns had no other options to fall back on. With Amare and Diaw back for Game 6, it could be the one new weapon that tips the balance.

One other point: Phoenix really wants the championship. The Spurs do, too, I realize, but in Phoenix, there's a feeling that this is it, this is our last best shot, everything that has been building over the last few years points to this year. If it doesn't happen, there's been talk of breaking up the team. The players know that it isn't just a season on the line, it may be the final game of an era. With the Spurs, it's a chance at a championship, yes, but there's no reason to think it's the last chance. That could play against the Suns if it translates into nervous desperation (which it may for some players, especially young guys like Barbosa), but I suspect it may give them just a little more of an edge.

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You guys have younger pieces than we do and nobody is breaking up the Suns especially since they will feel like they would have won if not for the suspensions. Duncan has a few years of great play left but some major pieces around him are not getting any younger.

I think the Spurs will be more focused and play their best game in game 6.

The Spurs came out flat in game 5, I think, because Amare was not there. I think they'll be out to finish this thing in game 6.

Great effort doesn't always translate into a win, but so far in the 3 1/2 games in which the Spurs have put forth great effort they have walked away with 3 wins.

So I give them an 86% chance of winning tomorrow.

Look for an officiating fiasco to favor Phoenix along the lines of the 2002 Game 6 Kings-Lakers series. If anyone thinks the league won't pull out all of the stops to send what is their last and most interesting series back to Phoenix for a Game 7 with every team at full strength, then they haven't been watching the NBA that long.

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

Look for an officiating fiasco to favor Phoenix along the lines of the 2002 Game 6 Kings-Lakers series. If anyone thinks the league won't pull out all of the stops to send what is their last and most interesting series back to Phoenix for a Game 7 with every team at full strength, then they haven't been watching the NBA that long.

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So your impartial observation is the league is fixed.

For the first time this series, I am going to predict a Spurs win by 10 or more points.

I think that the energy expended by Nash, Marrion, Thomas and Bell will be a factor.


Suns will start out scrambling, but game 5 will catch up with them as will Tim Duncan and the Spurs defense.

I expect a big game out of Manu and Tony. Tim will probably be doubled a lot, so he will only have another ho hum 20 point 10 rebound game.

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

Look for an officiating fiasco to favor Phoenix along the lines of the 2002 Game 6 Kings-Lakers series. If anyone thinks the league won't pull out all of the stops to send what is their last and most interesting series back to Phoenix for a Game 7 with every team at full strength, then they haven't been watching the NBA that long.

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I agree. The WWFBA...umm, I mean the NBA is already advertising the Sunday game 7 matchup. I'm sure every effort will be made to have the nice guy Suns rise triumphantly over the evil Spurs on Sunday.

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

Look for an officiating fiasco to favor Phoenix along the lines of the 2002 Game 6 Kings-Lakers series. If anyone thinks the league won't pull out all of the stops to send what is their last and most interesting series back to Phoenix for a Game 7 with every team at full strength, then they haven't been watching the NBA that long.

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I know I can see that coming a mile away. Watch this is what will happen the Spurs will get the calls in the first half. Phoenix will be down at the half but not so much that they can't get back in the game and the Suns will get the critical calls in the 4th quarter. Thereby sending everyone back to Phoenix on Sunday.

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Originally Posted by Amare_32

I know I can see that coming a mile away. Watch this is what will happen the Spurs will get the calls in the first half. Phoenix will be down at the half but not so much that they can't get back in the game and the Suns will get the critical calls in the 4th quarter. Thereby sending everyone back to Phoenix on Sunday.

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Right the league is fixed and everyone involved is MUM about it nobody says a word ever it is just a big secret. These people that think the Refs are told who to be in favor of and the NBA keeps it under wraps need to go in for a CATSCAN.

Yeah, the league made sure Mavs/Warriors went to seven too.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Right the league is fixed and everyone involved is MUM about it nobody says a word ever it is just a big secret. These people that think the Refs are told who to be in favor of and the NBA keeps it under wraps need to go in for a CATSCAN.

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I don't think the League is fixed but I do think the League will try and extend the series if possible.

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Originally Posted by Amare_32

I don't think the League is fixed but I do think the League will try and extend the series if possible.

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So you are saying the league is fixed since the REFS would have to be told to favor the SUNS. This is all one big fantasy for fans that think their teams are getting JOBBED. The NBA could never in this day and age with the MEDIA get away with something like that and keep everyone who knows about it quiet.

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Originally Posted by Amare_32

I don't think the League is fixed but I do think the League will try and extend the series if possible.

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consciously?

If so, the league is fixed.


Hard to see how they could try to do something and be unaware of it?


The league mainly means the refs unless league officials (like Stu Jackson) make some sort of player suspension prior to game 6. So, this is saying that the refs working that game will intentionally try to change who wins game 6.

Interesting.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

So you are saying the league is fixed since the REFS would have to be told to favor the SUNS. This is all one big fantasy for fans that think their teams are getting JOBBED. The NBA could never in this day and age with the MEDIA get away with something like that and keep everyone who knows about it quiet.

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You obviously don't remember Wade in the Finals last year getting the phantom fouls. Yes the Mavs choked but the Wade calls were ridiculous.

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Originally Posted by Amare_32

You obviously don't remember Wade in the Finals last year getting the phantom fouls. Yes the Mavs choked but the Wade calls were ridiculous.

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Can't agree with that one.

Hard to see how anyone would argue that the Mavs got jobbed on phantom fouls, considering how often Dirk gets calls on non fouls.

In any event, I'm not very big on conspiracy theories (too hard to keep conspiracies a secret).

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Originally Posted by Amare_32

You obviously don't remember Wade in the Finals last year getting the phantom fouls. Yes the Mavs choked but the Wade calls were ridiculous.

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They made some bad calls but not because anyone told them to do it. It happens usually they even out sometimes they don't but it is never because they are on purpose favoring a team. Crawford had a personal grudge with Duncan what did Stern do to him? He sent him packing for the Summer and maybe for good. That should tell you all you need to know about the NBA's stance on favortism.

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Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

So your impartial observation is the league is fixed.

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You think it is completely on the up and up? This is sports entertainment, not sports.

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

You think it is completely on the up and up? This is sports entertainment, not sports.

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The NBA is not the WWE and yes it is on the UP and UP!!

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

You think it is completely on the up and up? This is sports entertainment, not sports.

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the NBA is growing interest and income around the globe. other leagues haven't had that much success in their worldwide endeavors.

Oberto or Bonner get Horry's minutes?

Truth is that it will hurt not having Horry here during such a big game.
His team defense, smarts and clutch shots would have been nice.

Suns won't win game 6, but if they did, it would be with an asterisk.

Spurs are short handed.


But we won't complain, we'll just find a way to get the job done. :lol

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Originally Posted by ImpartialObserver

You think it is completely on the up and up? This is sports entertainment, not sports.

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You think it's fixed? Tell us how it's done and why and since when.

We were expecting a closely called game5, 80 FTA, but they let them play mostly.

I figure they will let them play in Game6.

Spurs can't expect to shoot 40% and win, nor count on Suns shooting 40% again.

Both teams will be extremely motivated in the series' first elimination game.

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

So you are saying the league is fixed since the REFS would have to be told to favor the SUNS. This is all one big fantasy for fans that think their teams are getting JOBBED. The NBA could never in this day and age with the MEDIA get away with something like that and keep everyone who knows about it quiet.

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The NBA front office doesn't have to say a damn thing to the refs. You think the refs, some of whom have been in the league 20+ years, don't instinctively know that the league wants this series to go back to Phoenix? Not sure who is officiating Game 6, but if you see Dick Bavetta there, you might as well start ordering your Game 7 tickets.