Suns-Lakers Game 1

[CantTouchThis 23]

I told my friend he was going to go 12/24 for 38 points...

 

13/23 for 40 points. Damn close.

[Strike 6,030]

Good first game for the Lakers given the layoff. I know PHX had the same layoff but didn't want the team to come out flat tonight and have what happened to Orlando happen here. Still gonna be a tough series but happy with this win.

[jerryskids 7,131]

I think I'm glad that I didn't take Strike up on that bet.

 

Suns missed a lot of open shots; not sure why that happens vs. the Lakers, but if they don't fix that, I don't see this changing much.

 

Plus, Amare needs to stop falling in love with that jump shot and pound the paint.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Game 2 could be a nice big trap game. Let's hope we keep the intensity up.

[mobb_deep 921]

See signature.

[Strike 6,030]

I think I'm glad that I didn't take Strike up on that bet.

 

It's not too late.

 

[IGotWorms 4,063]

See signature.

 

He's still an arrogant piece of sh!t.

[mobb_deep 921]

He's still an arrogant piece of sh!t.

 

I might agree, if you didn't already lose all credibility by saying he would never win another championship!

 

Be honest though, as a basketball fan you want to see the Lakers vs. Celtics. That would be the best match-up, with the most history and bad blood. Celtics/Magic vs. Suns would be ZzZzZzZz.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

I might agree, if you didn't already lose all credibility by saying he would never win another championship!

 

Be honest though, as a basketball fan you want to see the Lakers vs. Celtics. That would be the best match-up, with the most history and bad blood. Celtics/Magic vs. Suns would be ZzZzZzZz.

 

You have a point there. Suns v. Magic would be a complete snoozefest, and there is NO WAY that the nba will allow this matchup to happen. Suns v. Celtics wouldn't be awful, but it wouldn't have the ring of Lakers v. Celtics. But we did already see Lakers/Celtics '08 and there is no reason to think the Celtics will fare any better against them now.

[Strike 6,030]

You have a point there. Suns v. Magic would be a complete snoozefest, and there is NO WAY that the nba will allow this matchup to happen. Suns v. Celtics wouldn't be awful, but it wouldn't have the ring of Lakers v. Celtics. But we did already see Lakers/Celtics '08 and there is no reason to think the Celtics will fare any better against them now.

 

 

Wat?

[mobb_deep 921]

You have a point there. Suns v. Magic would be a complete snoozefest, and there is NO WAY that the nba will allow this matchup to happen. Suns v. Celtics wouldn't be awful, but it wouldn't have the ring of Lakers v. Celtics. But we did already see Lakers/Celtics '08 and there is no reason to think the Celtics will fare any better against them now.

 

You mean no reason to think the Lakers would fare any better, right? The Celtics beat the Lakers in 6 of the '08 finals.

 

That's the whole reason I want to see it again. You know Kobe is fired up thinking about that rematch. I'm pretty sure the NBA agrees, because a Boston/LA final will get a 10+ Nielsen, and a Boston/Orlando vs Phoenix finals would struggle to see a 7.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

You mean no reason to think the Lakers would fare any better, right? The Celtics beat the Lakers in 6 of the '08 finals.

 

That's the whole reason I want to see it again. You know Kobe is fired up thinking about that rematch. I'm pretty sure the NBA agrees, because a Boston/LA final will get a 10+ Nielsen, and a Boston/Orlando vs Phoenix finals would struggle to see a 7.

 

Yes, my bad, I had a brain fart there. I suppose it would be a compelling series then, although I really think the Lakers are a stronger team now and the Celtics are much weaker. I see the Lakers rolling either team from the east in the Finals if they make it there. Pau and Kobe are unstoppable together, plus they are getting a lot of support from guys like Odom and Fisher. The Celtics have had a resurgence here in the playoffs, but I think they are just too old to go toe-to-toe with a Lakers team that is firing on all cylinders.

[CantTouchThis 23]

Nah, i definitely still see a Magic vs. Lakers rematch. Magic with a healthy Nelson and with Vince Carter is better than last year's team. They played awful in game 1, they will play better for the rest of the series.

 

That being said, the Lakers have looked unstoppable since after round 1, i can see them sweeping the Suns. Lakers should repeat and i can see them 3-peating.

[JT 137]

Nah, i definitely still see a Magic vs. Lakers rematch. Magic with a healthy Nelson and with Vince Carter is better than last year's team. They played awful in game 1, they will play better for the rest of the series.

 

That being said, the Lakers have looked unstoppable since after round 1, i can see them sweeping the Suns. Lakers should repeat and i can see them 3-peating.

 

They won't sweep Phoenix. The Suns late season and post season run has been fueled by their bench. They're a team dependent on 3 pt shooting and, of their typical starters, only Nash could be categorized as an excellent long range shooter. Richardson is streaky, Hill can hit a few. But Frye (who has gotten starters minutes, esp w/Lopez out), Dudley, Dragic, Barbosa, are counted on to produce. The guards did in their time on the floor, but Dudley & Frye were non-existent.

 

Role players always play better at home. For a team as reliant on their role players as PHX is, home court is a huge deal. Frye will hit a couple, making the Lakers play him honest, which they didn't do last night.

 

The Lakers have demonstrated time and again that they can get lazy. Can't do that vs a team as offensively skilled as the Suns.

 

LA in 6.

 

Agreed on Orlando. Boston is a smart, veteran team. I expected the short layoff to benefit them early in the game, and Orlando's rustiness to do the same. I just figured the Magic would have enough to come back. They just dug themselves too big a hole.

 

Magic in 7.

[JT 137]

Ignore the second portion of the above post. I intentionally tried to mislead those who are gripped by the evil hold of gambling.

 

You are welcome.

[CantTouchThis 23]

Ignore the second portion of the above post. I intentionally tried to mislead those who are gripped by the evil hold of gambling.

 

You are welcome.

 

Me too, sheeeeeetttt.

[Saint Elistan 106]

36 in the first.

[gocolts 300]

36 in the first.

Focking killing them. Artest = Badass

[Saint Elistan 106]

The Suns bench makes me sad...and TNT really needs to put a stop to their attempt at "artistic" television. I want to see the game like I see every game on TV. I don't need to see what it would like like if I was sitting in one of the bench seats.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Man...the threes are dropping tonight for both teams.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Definitely not comfortable with the lead, but 65 in the half sure is nice.

[gocolts 300]

Another dominant finish by the Lakers. 2-0 is going to be tough to come back from against this Laker team.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Another dominant finish by the Lakers. 2-0 is going to be tough to come back from against this Laker team.

Hopefully Phil can figure out how to stifle whatever was allowing Hill to be so dominant tonight. I was worried at the end of the third.

[FeelingMN 273]

Way to step up Amar'e.

 

 

Dumbass.

 

Oh well....Boston vs. LA is the series everyone wants to see. They're the two best teams right now, and match up well against one another. Should be fun.

[jerryskids 7,131]

Way to step up Amar'e.

 

 

Dumbass.

I don't know what is up with him; he couldn't have seemed less interested. He's not playing, and by playing I mean TRYING, like a guy who thinks he deserves a max contract.

[Strike 6,030]

I don't know what is up with him; he couldn't have seemed less interested. He's not playing, and by playing I mean TRYING, like a guy who thinks he deserves a max contract.

 

I take an XL shirt

[IGotWorms 4,063]

I thought Phoenix was going to step up but L.A. is just too much for them. They'll win one in Phoenix but I think the Lakers will take this in five. Celtics will also win in five. Should be a good finals--I hate the Lakers but I think they will just be too much for the Celts. I see them winning in six.

[CantTouchThis 23]

This quote by Alvin Genry made me laugh...

 

"It's almost like being a dike, you stick a finger in one hole and water comes out of another one," Gentry said.

 

[jerryskids 7,131]

Suns are trying to make a series of this now; perhaps Bynum should worry more about his crappy play instead of the upcoming Celtics series?

 

Kobe seemed somewhat disinterested in the second half; I lost count of how many times he drove and popped it out when it seemed like he had a shot. Also the Lakers need a new plan vs. Amare, if Amare is going to be that aggressive. It looked like he was fouled on every drive, and the refs got sick of calling them.

[JT 137]

Suns are trying to make a series of this now; perhaps Bynum should worry more about his crappy play instead of the upcoming Celtics series?

 

Kobe seemed somewhat disinterested in the second half; I lost count of how many times he drove and popped it out when it seemed like he had a shot. Also the Lakers need a new plan vs. Amare, if Amare is going to be that aggressive. It looked like he was fouled on every drive, and the refs got sick of calling them.

 

Given a clear first step, and only one real big on the court, Stouemire (no D) has always been able to score. Once Bynum got 4 quick fouls, it opened things up. Gasol had to play very carefully, and Odom added to the problem by getting 4 in a hurry as well.

 

Bynum's playing on one leg. The Lakers would probably be wise to sit him the rest of the way, hoping he could be healthy for the Finals. Powell or any other warm body certainly couldn't give them less than what Bynum did last night. Being able to use his fouls is nice, but not when he's so imobile that they're used up in 8 minutes.

 

LA did a bad job of attacking the zone, and Lopez played the game of his life. For a stretch in the first half, the Lakers bigs were diving to the basket and/or working the baseline for good opportunities. That disappeared in the second, and I think their lack of movement resulted in Kobe's passing vs shooting. There were a few instances where he made what should have been the pass that resulted in the pass to the cutter. It's just that the cutters didn't materialize, leaving someone to shoot yet another long jumper.

 

PHX is good enough to win a couple games in this series, but I just don't see them winning a big game in LA.

[Strike 6,030]

Suns are trying to make a series of this now; perhaps Bynum should worry more about his crappy play instead of the upcoming Celtics series?

 

Kobe seemed somewhat disinterested in the second half; I lost count of how many times he drove and popped it out when it seemed like he had a shot. Also the Lakers need a new plan vs. Amare, if Amare is going to be that aggressive. It looked like he was fouled on every drive, and the refs got sick of calling them.

 

So, you change your mind about that bet? Looks like PHX may take this series after all.

[TAS 2]

God knows I hate the Lakers, but I would love to see the finals with them and the Celts.

 

Fisher has been money for LA. He seems to hit clutch shot after clutch shot.

[CantTouchThis 23]

Definitely can't write Phoenix off at all. They are a dangerous team at home, but i can't see them winning in LA.

 

I think LA takes this game and wins in 5 though.

[jerryskids 7,131]

So, you change your mind about that bet? Looks like PHX may take this series after all.

If the Suns go up 3-2, I'll give you a shoutout.

[CantTouchThis 23]

I turn the game on:

 

3...3...3....3.....3....3.....3...2?!?!? Wtf are they shooting 2s for?!?!? 3....3....3

 

 

[gocolts 300]

Kobe is heating up big time to start the second half. Back to back 3s.

[phillybear 366]

Sunday to today, Orlando and Phoenix are 6-0 against the spread for the game and the 2nd H when bettors like to make up for a bet.

 

I've gone 6-0. Fixed. So very fixed.

 

Tonight it was Phoenix (+2) for the game, (+4) 2nd H.

[jerryskids 7,131]

I wonder how drunk Strike is tonight.

[CantTouchThis 23]

Nice job Phoenix.

 

So far everything i said this round has been wrong. I was going to say Lakers take the next 2, because there is NO WAY IN HOLY LOST-PURGATORY that the Suns shoot as well from outside. They are a great 3 point shooting team, but that was ridiculous.Then again, what ever i think about the Magic and Suns have been wrong, so the Suns will probably take the next 2 and win in 6. The Suns role players just come alive at home, but are useless on the road. I can see it going 7, but i can't see the Suns winning in LA.

 

I still say Lakers in 6, maybe 7. Once again, the Suns had to shoot absolutely crazy from outside just to squeak out a couple wins, LA was in both of these games until the last couple minutes.

 

I think Pau goes off for about 35/15 next game.

[jerryskids 7,131]

Nice job Phoenix.

 

So far everything i said this round has been wrong. I was going to say Lakers take the next 2, because there is NO WAY IN HOLY LOST-PURGATORY that the Suns shoot as well from outside. They are a great 3 point shooting team, but that was ridiculous.Then again, what ever i think about the Magic and Suns have been wrong, so the Suns will probably take the next 2 and win in 6. The Suns role players just come alive at home, but are useless on the road. I can see it going 7, but i can't see the Suns winning in LA.

 

I still say Lakers in 6, maybe 7. Once again, the Suns had to shoot absolutely crazy from outside just to squeak out a couple wins, LA was in both of these games until the last couple minutes.

 

I think Pau goes off for about 35/15 next game.

Game 2 was tied after 3 periods. Lakers shot 58% the first two games, an anomaly. Odom for 19/19 in game 1? Oh, and the Suns "great shooting" was 48.8%, less than the Lakers 49.5%, and the Suns were 36.7% on threes and 68.8% on FTs, both below averages. Also the Suns were up double digits at the end of both and running out the clock, hardly "squeaks."

 

Otherwise your analysis is spot on. Keep on keepin' on being wrong.