Suns-Spurs Round 2 Game 2

Marv Albert and Steve Kerr working the mics. TNT is going classic on us with that one.

Looking good so far. Nash attacking Bowen, Thomas muffling Duncan, Stoudemire getting aggressive on the glass. Marion needs to hit that open three, though. All things considered, though, a promising start.

Sad how the media is writing the Suns off already, talking about what moves the Suns will make in the off season, and what it would mean if the Spurs go up 2-0 on the Suns tonight. No faith. No insight into the last game. San Antonio didn't dominate, so there's no reason to write the Suns off.

Interesting that Marion is out for Diaw. Stay in bounds, Raja.

A late whistle benefits Parker? What a shock. As was the case the other day, the Suns player got the worst of it all the way around. Let's keep this even, refs. I guess not, as Duncan goes to the line as a reward for solid defense by Amare. Think that ref wants to keep his job? Joey Crawford, where are you?

Apparently Duncan gets called for one foul in every four he actually commits.

Would be nice if Diaw would make an open shot. He got three attempts on his first one and missed all three. Amare isn't much better, both sitting at 0-4 each.

After the first quarter, it's plain to see. It's not the rebounding, it's not the turn overs, and it's not the foul shooting. It's the Suns making only 6 of 23 shots. And how many of those were good looks? At least half the misses, from my count. That's not going to get it done against any team, let alone the Spurs.

I don't know what they have in their heads that makes them think that an open shot is challenged, but they need a shrink to get rid of it at this point. Boris Diaw does not want a championship. Time to go to the seven man rotation.

Someone needs to remind Kerr that the Suns are also missing shots they normally make. And he's a part owner.

I like that. Leandro attacking Parker is our best match up right now. Tire Parker out (or in any other NBA city, get him in foul trouble), and let LB have at it. They'll eventually have to stick Bowen on him, and that would be good for Nash.

But they've got to be more menacing on the glass. Yeah, it's even, but the Suns need to dominate the glass to make this a convincing win. And with so many missed shots, there's no real reason the Suns should have only four offensive rebounds.

How does Parker make THAT shot with Marion all over him and the clock expiring?

If that ball hadn't gone to Horry, the refs would have called a late goal tend. Don't worry Spurs fans.

Suddenly both teams are 12-33, as the Suns defense shown with Duncan on the bench. Now he's back in, so the Suns have to make a more concerted effort to attack the defensive glass. The Spurs have out-rebounded the Suns on the offensive end 5-0 since the last check in. Not good, especially with TD sitting for a big stretch.

More of that, please. Nash dissecting the defense (no, the Spurs defense is not constructed with Adamantium) and getting it to open shooters who actually make their open shots. Yes, I'd like a second and third helping of that brand of basketball.

Ginobili REALLY loves Amare. First the nut crack, now the bear hug? And of course The Nose gets away with it. Nash says "Fuck You, Duncan" and draws the charge...his third foul. Gee...how's it feel, Pop?

Diaw, Diaw, Diaw - MAKE THE OPEN SHOTS!!!

Suddenly, the Spurs look like any other team in the league.

Seven point lead works for me. Could have been ten, but you pick your poison, I guess. This better keep up because the Suns are outplaying the Spurs big time.

Consider that San Antonio only scored 17 points in that quarter after that Bowen three. The Suns scored 30. Definitely will take more of that.

BONUS!!!

Magic Johnson gives a great big shout out to Jey as he compares Nash and Nowitzki, explaining what makes an MVP.

"Dirk, take a lesson from your best friend!"

Beautiful. And I don't even like the guy.

Chuck states the obvious again. If the Suns want to win this game and this series, Marion and Stoudemire need to be involved. Say it with me, Suns fans, "DUUUUUHHHHHH!"

For those who didn't notice, or those who did and wondered, yes, I am half-assing it today. I'm watching the game first and writing second. Sorry that it's not as in depth, but I'm determined to enjoy this series.

Business, baby. Let's get down to it.

Amare doesn't get a foul call again. Typical. But isn't it beautiful to see him bull his way through, expecting heavy contact, and STILL getting the monstrous two-handed slam? I'll take a serving of that, too. Bring around for the whole family, please.

So let me get this straight...Duncan gets in trouble, can't handle the ball, so the ref bails him out. What a crock.

Silly turnovers. Keep giving it to Amare, just clear the lane for him to work.

Nice of TNT to be riding Duncan's jock. Just long enough to miss a play by Leandro. Sounded exciting, too. Too bad we don't get to see it.

Number 4 on Duncan. Guess who's about to go off for about 10 points.

I guess I was wrong. Who knew the Suns would suddenly make bad decisions to close out the quarter? And who knew the refs would suddenly swallow their whistles? Is consistency too much to ask for? I believe so.

Bell...player of the game. He was quiet in the third quarter, but he is shooting 6-9 for 18 points, attacking the basket, and keeping the tempo up in Nash's absence. Don't like those 4 turnovers, though. So long as he makes up for it on the offensive end as he has been doing, we can overlook that deficiency.

I don't care if Marion doesn't score another point. He needs to help dominate the glass in this final quarter. Fill the lanes on what few breaks the Suns get, and just attack every missed shot.

It would be nice if Leandro heated up. If he gets a couple of his classic clutch threes, this game would be over quickly. Ten minutes to go, and we'll see what happens. Just keep the Keds on the accelerator.

MEEP MEEP!!!

Am I the only one who just saw Duncan lay a kick at Marion on that rebound?

Under 6 minutes to go, and the Suns are up by 17 points. Amazing what can happen when guys fight for every inch. They actually make plays and get calls.

Pop can't be happy about that transition three attempt from Barry. Must be why a replacement is coming in.

2:49 left in the game, 94-76 Suns. I made some comments the last few days to the effect that the Suns need a convincing win tonight to shut up the media and prove that they can win this game. Is this convincing enough? Yes.

James Jones has played less than five minutes, so it seems that D'Antoni really is going for the 7 man rotation in this series now. That's fine because, if the Suns make it through to the next round, Kurt Thomas won't play as much later. Use him now. This is why we brought him in.

Suns still need to win two in a row somewhere along the line. Hopefully game three will be the second.

Oh...NOW LB hits a three!

Yeah...that was convincing enough for me. I just hope they don't have one of their infamous post-blowout stinkers in game three.

And my vindication du jour:

Suns shoot 52.6% for the game after starting 26% in the first quarter. That's a 64.2% clip for the last three quarters. San Antonio shot 42.9% for the game. Spurs defense what, now?

Point is, the Suns maintained their season long defense against San Antonio, then made their own open shots. It's all about field goal efficiency with this series. The Spurs cannot win this series as long as the Suns play with that desperate energy and hit their open shots. The Suns defense is just too good to allow San Antonio's mediocre and methodical offense to put together the kinds of runs that the Suns can.

Yeah...I said it.