**Mavs vs Suns Gamethread**

[RonMexico]

even if your right, (probly not) it doesnt matter. they wont give Barbosa the ball to go 1on1. mostly Nash does all the work and finds open shooters

Even if you're wrong (probably so), then this just proves you haven't watched a Suns game since the All-Star break. I've seen a completely different player out of Barbosa - one that finishes better at the rim, looks for his teammates rather than just lowering his head and charging forward (and yes, he often used to pick up offensive fouls), and a player that can take practically anyone in the league off the dribble right now, which takes a lot of the load off Nash.

The reason they probably didn't let him take people 1-on-1 earlier in the season is because he missed about 3 billion point-blank layups. Now, he's finally learning how to lay the ball up softly and drawing fouls from the defenders.

[Ozzman]

This will be a of a game. two of the best teams in the league for the past two or three years facing up in a true playoff atmosphere game. This will be a preview of things to come in the playoffs.....Not necessarily the WC Finals, but possibly earlier, depending on whether or not the Spurs catch the Suns, And personally, I would like nothing better than to see Phoenix get the beaten out of them by San Antonio or Dallas. Preferably San Antonio, but ehh. I would like to see the Mavs and Spurs in the WC Finals, because it would be the two most complete teams in the NBA facing up against each other and I think it would be more of an exciting series from an analysis standpoint, not so much an entertainment standpoint. But that is just my opinion.

[Udrihlooms]

it will be a very close game, i think.

it will probably be decided in the last three minutes, as a test not on whether DAL can defend against PHX (I think they will) but more on if PHX can actaully defend against DAL (I don't think they can).

I'm picking Dallas to win in the last few minutes by 5+ points. Besides this is DAL's home and they are pretty pissed off by their embarassing loss to Nellie

[mabber]

If I'm the Mavs I force Nash to score 40+ to win...don't switch off the picks and make Nash shoot. Stay on the 3 point shooters....

I would imagine that Avery is going to experiment with several ways to defend them(in case they meet in WCF's) since this is a relatively meaningless regular season game.

[mabber]

I've seen 3 ESPN guys pick Barbosa over Harris... I guess you got your data from those private workouts you held at Reunion Arena

I think Barbosa is faster up & down the court but Harris is at least as quick if not quicker laterally.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Well now that we got that "our streak had to end sometime" phase out tonights win is already in store for the Mavs. Suns fans I have some advice for you guys... DONT WATCH THE GAME! Go to church, go watch 300, go out with your significant others, just avoid this game! Mavs have already won....they have to wait 13-14 more hours before it is confirmed. A new winning streak begins tonight! LETS GO MAVS! LETS GO MAVS!

[monosylab1k]

not to agree with pissant Suns fans, but yesterday McGrady was quoted as saying that Barbosa is the fastest NBA player he's ever seen.

[monosylab1k]

Mavs fans need not worry about Barbosa though. Diaw is the x-factor in this game...if Diaw has a good night, it will be a tough game.

[RonMexico]

DJ Gallo said it best this morning: "Expect Dallas to jump out to an early lead while the Suns spend the opening minutes of the game making fun of the Mavericks for losing to the Golden State Warriors."

[Shank]

That is if the Mavs even make it out to the court for tip time after watching tape of the loss to the lowly Sixers.

ZING!

Whatever.

8 o'clock needs to get here soon. I'm going to be so bored at work.

[mabber]

DJ Gallo said it best this morning: "Expect Dallas to jump out to an early lead while the Suns spend the opening minutes of the game making fun of the Mavericks for losing to the Golden State Warriors."

And then the Suns will catch up while the Mavs spend time making fun of the Suns for losing to the Hawks & T-Wolves.

[johngateswhiteley]

i don't know who i want to win. i want to catch phoenix, but i don't want dallas to win...hmm.

[Shank]

Things to do today:

1. Find bootleg copy of 300
2. Fill out/erase/spend hours contemplating my bracket
3. Take a growler in the bathroom at work
4. Cruise Spurstalk to read threads on the pending Spurs/Heat NBA Finals matchup
5. Return to bathroom - forgot to wipe
6. Find new pants
7. Go to game. Sweet.

[hitmanyr2k]

Last year around this time Steve Nash secured his 2nd MVP by embarrassing Dirk (the other candidate) and the Mavericks on their home floor running circles around them in the 4th qtr doing whatever he wanted in a nationally televised game. Dirk couldn't do anything when it mattered and looked petulant by glaring and screaming at his teammates during the final minutes

I think the same will happen tonight. A healthy Suns team will run the Mavs off the floor and put a dent in the armor.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Harris is unfortunately one dimensional as he relies too much on his speed.

don't forget his flops.

[mabber]

don't forget his flops.

Harris might just be the best in the league at drawing offensive fouls. He draws a couple most games. What's amazing about it is that he does it while guarding a guy one on one. He doesn't just hang out near the basket (beyond that small circle) and wait for charges like many do (see Steve Nash this season).

I don't see him drawing any offensive fouls tonight though. I don't think he can get in front of Barbosa fast enough and the ref will just call a block if Nash charges into him so it's pointless to even try against him.

[leemajors]

I think Barbosa is faster up & down the court but Harris is at least as quick if not quicker laterally.

i would take johngateswhitley over both, he can beat tony parker in a 40 yard dash!

[RonMexico]

The beauty of Devin Harris is that in his second year in the league, the refs decide he's invincible: never draws a blocking foul and always seems to get a 3 point opportunity... funny how all of this started happening about Game 2 of the 2006 WCSF... right around the time "bear-hug" became a popular term...

[mabber]

The beauty of Devin Harris is that in his second year in the league, the refs decide he's invincible: never draws a blocking foul and always seems to get a 3 point opportunity... funny how all of this started happening about Game 2 of the 2006 WCSF... right around the time "bear-hug" became a popular term...

He gets called for blocking fouls every game.

[mavsfan1000]

The beauty of Devin Harris is that in his second year in the league, the refs decide he's invincible: never draws a blocking foul and always seems to get a 3 point opportunity... funny how all of this started happening about Game 2 of the 2006 WCSF... right around the time "bear-hug" became a popular term...

[mFFL03]

don't forget his flops.

hmmm one of the fastest guys in the league is constantly flopping for an offensive foul?

How about he's so fast to get into that position to give him a chance to get an offensive foul? Slo - mo is Slo - mo....don't rely on that for real time speed and judgment.


The way we beat the team last year was just shutting down nash and letting the rest of the team bet us, and they didn't.

Diaw put up Amare's numbers...so I think we can safely say that we can kind of cancel out that guy as well.

Amare does have the potential to get us in major foul trouble though, and that's whats worrying me the most.

[RonMexico]

Hahah... it's 9.5 hours until tip-off and you think I'd refrain from adding fuel to the fire? Riling everybody up is going to make this day fly by.

[RonMexico]

Diaw put up Amare's numbers...so I think we can safely say that we can kind of cancel out that guy as well.

Amare does have the potential to get us in major foul trouble though, and that's whats worrying me the most.

Sure, Diaw gave you like 75% of "Amare's numbers" except for the trips to the FT line (and the fact that Diaw has incredible passing skills)... you don't address what it will be like with BOTH of them out there now? Remember - when Diaw fouled out in the 4th quarter of the December game, the Mavs went on a huge run and the Suns' offense stalled... he and Amare need to stay out of foul trouble for the Suns to win.

[RonMexico]

He gets called for blocking fouls every game.

Now, but not last year (note: I said "in his second year in the league")

[Borosai]

May both teams lose horribly.