Game 27 Preview: Suns vs. Blazers

I definately look to the bench for a big night. That’s where Phoenix is vulnerable. That starting lineup is tough with a ton of experience. We gotta move the ball well on offense and hope to tire them that way. This would feel like a huge win. Stand tall and tough guys!

Their head coach got to scout in person Tuesday night!

+1 on the rebounding and Greg Oden staring Shaq down.

7. Force turnovers. Nash and Shaq are both surprisingly turnover prone for being elite veterans. Sometimes our Blazers seem to forget that it is okay to take the ball from the other team—as if they were worried that stealing something would besmirch their reputation. It seems that when the Blazers make a conscious effort to go for steals, they have been able to force a fair number of turnovers. On other nights, they get just about nothin’.

In this particular game, gorcing turnovers would help in at least four ways:. 1. Most obviously, a team cannot score when it turns the ball over. 2. Players tend to play more tentatively after a turnover. If Nash can comfortably diagnose how to pick apart the Blazer defense without worrying about getting his pocket picked, he will do so almost every time. 3. Turnovers negate the Sun’s offensive rebounding prowess. 4. Steals can ignite a fastbreak. Shaq is not much of a defender when he’s jogging 10 feet behind the play. .

to seeing Shaq have a really bad game. A total stinker. Let’s hope that tomorrow I’m not still waiting to see it.

If you listened to KP last week on the chat, he said he felt we could lose to anyone but also that we were good enough to beat anyone. In other words we aren’t good enough to take anyone for granted, but we are good enough to approach every game as winnable. I agree with that.

Unfortunately, I think Phoenix is one of those teams inwhich the stars align and they match up against us excellently. They have us beat in experience, and they at least match or potentially exceed us in almost every position. I’d give Brandon Roy the edge, but they have Nash and now Jason Richardson so even the backcourt is a Phoenix edge.

I don’t mean to be a downer, but this is one of those games inwhich I think The Blazers need to play at their best or above at the same time we hope that Phoenix has an off night and struggles. I also agree with Keys to The Game #3, because one of our few advantages on paper is our bench.

Another Key to the game is or should be, the crowd. We are going to need that constant energy. It would be helpful if the crowd tonight was especially rabid. If we fall behind early and/or just match pace the crowd can’t afford to sit on their hands and quiet down awaiting something to spur them into support. Tonight the Blazer Fans could really define the 6th man in our house motto. Much has been said about how Boston and KG supposedly intimidates or intimidated The Blazers but I thought Amare and Shaq got into The Blazers heads the last game. A wild, wild crowd could negate or reverse the intimidation factor.

I think this is a tough one so it boils down to we are going to need to be tougher.

lots of people will watch our game on national tv. We better not get embaressed oh pls.

as a bellwether of Oden’s overall progress. KP had said to wait until mid-December for Greg to get his conditioning back. So here we are on Dec 18 and there have been recent indicators that at least his stamina has returned (he played 42 minutes against the Clippers last Friday). Whether his ability to elevate will ever return is another question. This should have been his 3rd test against Shaq, but it turns out it will now only be his 2nd. Hopefully we will be able to find something encouraging in Greg’s play tonight.

I predict a close, hard fought victory. Oden will struggle but Pryz will have his back. Richardson will go off but so will the entire Blazer backcourt.

Phoenix got roasted in the media over the J-Rich trade, but I think it was a terrific move. Basically they swapped a couple of spare parts for an elite two guard in his prime. There is no way they are the odd team out in the West now (I think it’s Dallas). Once they figure out how to play together and set their pace, watch out. Phoenix and Houston are two teams that might end up with a low seed, but have the potential to make a huge playoff run.

It is my hope that they will not. As the saying goes – “The ultimate respect you can give to an enemy is not giving any at all.”

Let’s see if the Greg can use all of those condescending remarks about him inside the PHX post-game locker room last game as some motivation.

Tonight is the night that the shots start to fall again. No more going sub-30% from downtown.

I love looking at all-time statistical leaders for counting stats (not rate stats).

Related to tonight’s game:

Steve Nash needs to make only 9 more three-pointers to pass Terry Porter (1,297) for #17 on the NBA All-time career list for three-pointers made. (Let’s hope he doesn’t catch him tonight!!)

Nash shoots a much higher percentage from downtown, so it took him hundreds fewer attempts than Porter to get that many.

Also, Shaq is #10 on the all-time scoring list, and could end the season at #5.

If you’re interested, www.nba.com/statistics and surf from there.

however i believe the blazers will win behind their excellent home court fans!

i also hope orlando beats the spurs

You guys have any thoughts about how these guys have looked against each other in past matchups?

I am REALLY looking forward to see these guys hook up.