Utah (30-17) at Phoenix (37-9)

[Amare_32]

It answers it for the second time this week. First at Minnesota, and now.

Amarelooms, if you haven't converted yet, you'd best get to it. You've now had two signs...


As for the loss, sucks. Jazz always give Phoenix fits. At this point, there's no easy out for the top-seed in the second round. Utah is a handful for either Phoenix or Dallas. Moreso for Phoenix, however...

But in a 7 game series with the Jazz I go with with Mavs or Suns over them.

[JMarkJohns]

But in a 7 game series with the Jazz I go with with Mavs or Suns over them.

I don't like the Suns chance vs. the Jazz. They seem to have the blueprint down. Yes, all three losses have been close, so Phoenix is within a shot or two of winning, but the physical style with which they play hassles the Suns to the point of frustration and it's hard to play instinctively when you're busy thinking about what could come next. Plus, they rebound as good as anyone when healthy. For whatever reason, the Suns either don't get up for the Jazz, or Utah just has their number. Either way, I'd almost - and it's a very narrow almost - rather play San Antonio in the second round, as at least I know Phoenix will be up every game of the series. Plus, San Antonio hasn't the rebounding Utah does, so since rebounding is the Suns biggest weakness, it just makes that much more sense.

[Bookit]

BTW my blanket response to everyone who starts bringing up the record against the other top West teams is the Miami Heat.

lol

[Amare_32]

I don't like the Suns chance vs. the Jazz. They seem to have the blueprint down. Yes, all three losses have been close, so Phoenix is within a shot or two of winning, but the physical style with which they play hassles the Suns to the point of frustration and it's hard to play instinctively when you're busy thinking about what could come next. Plus, they rebound as good as anyone when healthy. For whatever reason, the Suns either don't get up for the Jazz, or Utah just has their number. Either way, I'd almost - and it's a very narrow almost - rather play San Antonio in the second round, as at least I know Phoenix will be up every game of the series. Plus, San Antonio hasn't the rebounding Utah does, so since rebounding is the Suns biggest weakness, it just makes that much more sense.

At least with a playoff series you have 7 games to make adjustments. Remember last year the Pistons had the Heat's # in the regular season. Your right though Utah will be tough out for the Suns. In the end all 3 losses have been close.

[JMarkJohns]

Phil Jackson implied that D'Antoni didn't make many adjustments in the Lakers series. Essentually, he sticks with one game plan. Rather than changing it up, he just tries different players within the game plan. It'll be interesting to see. There's absolutely no gimmies from round two on in the playoffs this year and round one could be a as well, with teams like the Lakers and Nuggets hovering around 6th-through-8th...

[mavs>spurs2]

Lmao at the suns losing again tonight....

[Amare_32]

Phil Jackson implied that D'Antoni didn't make many adjustments in the Lakers series. Essentually, he sticks with one game plan. Rather than changing it up, he just tries different players within the game plan. It'll be interesting to see. There's absolutely no gimmies from round two on in the playoffs this year and round one could be a as well, with teams like the Lakers and Nuggets hovering around 6th-through-8th...

I know talk about the Wild West. Is almost unfair that whoever wins the East will pretty much coast to the Finals. You almost can say that winning the West is akin to winning the Finals.

[Amare_32]

Lmao at the suns losing again tonight....

Don't laugh the Mavs were one Ricky Davis shot away from losing by 1 point.

[ducks]

damm had the spurs beat them
the wolves,spurs and jazz would have beaten them this week

[TheMulvany]

Don't laugh the Mavs were one Ricky Davis shot away from losing by 1 point.

Actually, that's false. The Mavs had a 4 point lead and the ball with 8 seconds to go. Josh Howard decided to throw the ball up at the roof for some reason, which gave the Wolves the ball back and they hit a 3 from nearly half court. If Josh holds the ball he gets fouled and the Mavs extend the lead to 6 with a few seconds to go.

There's a big difference between winning by 6 and losing by 1...not sure how the Wolves were going to get 7 points in a Ricky Davis shot, but then again, people in Phoenix think 7 is some magic number....don't they?

[JamStone]

Actually, that's false. The Mavs had a 4 point lead and the ball with 8 seconds to go. Josh Howard decided to throw the ball up at the roof for some reason, which gave the Wolves the ball back and they hit a 3 from nearly half court. If Josh holds the ball he gets fouled and the Mavs extend the lead to 6 with a few seconds to go.

There's a big difference between winning by 6 and losing by 1...not sure how the Wolves were going to get 7 points in a Ricky Davis shot, but then again, people in Phoenix think 7 is some magic number....don't they?

The Mavs beat the Wolves by 1 point right? If Ricky Davis makes one more jumper in that game, technically, the Wolves could have won right?

If we are supposed to look at things based on what "SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED," we could talk about the Dallas NBA championship last year, isn't that right?

[SAtown]

Mavs fans should seriously shut the up about being number 1.

[Sacramental]

The Mavs beat the Wolves by 1 point right? If Ricky Davis makes one more jumper in that game, technically, the Wolves could have won right?

If we are supposed to look at things based on what "SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED," we could talk about the Dallas NBA championship last year, isn't that right?

no youre just way off. the mavs really won by 4, randy foye hit a desperation three with like 1 second left, the game was over and the mavs were already leaving.

[RonMexico]

We're just going off the AP recap which says Josh Howard made a mental mistake at the end that could have given the Wolves a chance. I haven't seen any highlights yet, but I had to read that article a few times - it's very misleading.

Either way, Boris Diaw hits two FTs and the game is tied... another stupid 3-point loss to the Jazz. Why is Barbosa inbounding against AK on the final play? The Suns finally didn't lose the rebounding battle or turn it over too much, but they shoot 70% from the FT line. When they average 80% per game, 70% is pretty much a 3-point drop-off. Also came out flat in the game - that's not going to get it done, especially when Okur is an assassin at the end of games these days.

in' Diaw 2-7 from the FT line. 4-7 would have given them a possible OT opportunity (they lost by 3, but he had 2 missed FTs with 5 seconds left that would have tied it). Good thing the Ags won in a much more important game, so I'm not too pissed about this. But I would make Diaw shoot 1,000 FTs and run a hundred suicides tomorrow.

[ponky]

Don't laugh the Mavs were one Ricky Davis shot away from losing by 1 point.

not really...the score is what it is at the end of the game, no need to speculate when dirk could've easily made a three at some point even though he was off tonight

RonMexico the AP repost IS misleading...they shot that three with no time left on the clock for the game...there would've been no opp to win.

[jacobdrj]

Jazz have a couple of teams' numbers: Pistons are no exception. Jazz seem to be able to handle 1-dimensional jump-shooting teams very well.

[Amarelooms]

Mavs fans should seriously shut the up about being number 1.

[1Parker1]

Phil Jackson implied that D'Antoni didn't make many adjustments in the Lakers series. Essentually, he sticks with one game plan. Rather than changing it up, he just tries different players within the game plan. It'll be interesting to see....

That is because with the Suns style of play, there really isn't that much room to make adjustments. The Suns are pretty much a set/defined team with each player having a specific role in there. Suns aren't going to be able to turn into a half court team, turn up the defense for stretches, etc.

[AZLouis]

Why is Barbosa inbounding against AK on the final play?

Initially it looked like the play was drawn to inbound the ball to Amare and then have it immediately tossed back to Barbosa but AK47 tipped the ball out of bounds.

Then they didn't adjust with 0.3 and ran the same play.

The game was pretty good (even though the Suns played with no heart until halfway into the 3rd quarter). Deron Williams is solid. So much for all that talk that the Jazz would rue the day they didn't draft CP3.

Anybody else watch the game and ponder what would've happened had the Suns signed Harpring over the summer since it was reported they had interest or a few summers ago when Okur was a FA?

I love Harpring's game and he would be just right here.

[BUMP]

i was at the game last night, and the Mavs were so much better. they just crapped away a 13 point lead cause they were already getting ready for our next victim

[1Parker1]

i was at the game last night, and the Mavs were so much better. they just crapped away a 13 point lead cause they were already getting ready for our next victim

The Mavs? This is about the Suns v Jazz game, what game are you talking about?

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Well Suns @ Nuggets is coming up tomorrow

It will likely be a fizzer coz the Nuggets are nowhere near their best. The team is so stuffed at the moment. Showing no heart, no trust and thus no chemistry.

I didnt realise how much the Nuggets would miss AI while he has been out. He is a great floor leader for the team thats for sure.