Phx-Suns.Net

Time: 7:00 pm AZ (6:00 pm PT/9:00 pm ET)
Place: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: FSAZ, NBALP

The 8 game winning team gauntlet starts tonight! We caught a break with Aldridge out with a left thumb injury. However, the Blazers have gone 3-1 without him. They also haven't won in Phoenix in the last 7 tries.

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

Aldridge out is huge for the Suns. If we defend the 3point line ok (Lillard, Matthews, Batum) we should be fine

Got to watch out for that Clyde Drexler guy. Don't let him get going.

suns have portland's number. see last season.

Can't let anything stupid happen like Kaman having an 18 and 12 night on us or Thomas Robinson outhustling Kieff all night.

Gladiator wrote:Aldridge out is huge for the Suns. If we defend the 3point line ok (Lillard, Matthews, Batum) we should be fine

There is no "we should be fine" when playing teams like the Blazers. Should read,

Aldridge out is huge for the Suns. If we defend the 3point line ok (Lillard, Matthews, Batum) we should have a chance to win.

No Aldridge, yay! I really want us to win this one. We need more wins over quality opponents, injury or no injury. I think the Blazers are not real contenders, myself. They're way up high in the standings, but I don't like their bench at all, and really I don't love most of their roster outside of Lillard and Aldridge. Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez are okay but I don't know if I would trust them in a playoff series.

Mori Chu wrote:No Aldridge, yay! I really want us to win this one. We need more wins over quality opponents, injury or no injury. I think the Blazers are not real contenders, myself. They're way up high in the standings, but I don't like their bench at all, and really I don't love most of their roster outside of Lillard and Aldridge. Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez are okay but I don't know if I would trust them in a playoff series.

Their bench is definitely their problem and that is our strength. If we can start hot and not concede 10 points right off the bat I think we have a good chance to take this one.

Wesley Matthews is one of the more underrated players in the league IMO. He's not flashy, but he's very solid and very consistent. He's a great 3 pt shooter, good defender, doesn't turn the ball over or make dumb mistakes. It's kinda crazy looking at his numbers and how consistent they've been over his career, especially his 3 pt%(.382 .407 .383 .398 .393 .393)

I think he would be a great fit here and is my pick to replace Goran if he does indeed leave this summer.

This has a bit of a big game feel to it. Suns, winners of 13 of 16, in the first game of facing the best of the best all at home.

I'm excited to see just how good we really are.

Suns moving the ball well. Really well. Bled 9pts early.

Bledsoe's been active with his hands on the defensive end.

Bledsoe has been having good vision the past 2 games. I like the chemistry I see forming between Bledsoe and IT3.

40!

Suns on fire. Portland was playing with fire when they started 71% from the field and the game was tied. We'll win an up and down game everytime. I expect the Blazers to slow it down a little more in the 2ndQ.

Dang, 40-29 after 1st qtr. GO SUNS!

49-31 ... We're killing 'em!

The IT-Green-Marcus-Wright-Plum lineup is weird to see. But getting it done so far.

Suns by 18....

Mori Chu wrote:49-31 ... We're killing 'em!

Suns are playing well no doubt. You don't win 13 of 16 by not playing well. If I were Portland I'd go to Kaman everytime down with this lineup. He's getting pretty good position on Plumlee.