Amare32
STAT man
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Denver Nuggets (8-8 ) @ Phoenix Suns (8-5)
When Friday 2nd December
Time: 6.00 PT
Location: AWA, Phoenix
TV: FSN AZ
Probable Starting Lineups:
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PG-Andre Miller
SG-Demarr Johnson
SF-Linas Kleiza
PF-Kenyon Martin
C-Marcus Camby
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Raja Bell
SF-James Jones
PF-Shawn Marion
C-Boris Diaw
Starting 5 Match-ups
Point guards
Andre Miller Vs Steve Nash
Here is a match-up between two of the top tier point guards in the NBA. Andre Miller is coming off a 33,5 and 5 night against the Hornets. Where he had to pick up the offensively slack with Carmelo Anthony missing from the line-up after getting injured in their loss to New Jersey. Miller is having a soild season averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists per game and he comtinues to be one of the best lob passers in the game. The Suns will need to watch out for those when guarding Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby. Steve Nash is coming off a 30 point night himself where he hit 7/8 threes in the Suns blowout win over the Pacers. He also got 8 rebounds and 9 assists in leading his team to the W.
Shooting guards
DerMarr Johnson Vs Raja Bell
DerMarr Johnson is the Nuggets starting shooting guard basically by default. The Nuggets main weakness is at this position. Proof of that is Johnson's 4.4 points per game average. Although to his credit he is a decent defender and works real hard when he's on the floor. Raja Bell the Suns summer signing is averaging 11 points per game on 43% from the floor and 40% from three. He has had a soild start to his Suns career and will look to take advantage of this match-up. Raja is coming off a 9 point performance against Indiana on wednesday night.
Small Forwards
Linas Kleiza Vs James Jones
Now many of you are thinking, "who the hell is Linas Kleiza?" "And why the hell is he starting?" well honestly, I don't know much about him either but with Carmelo Anthony getting hurt against their game Vs the Nets early in the week he was given the start in their last game against the Hornets and was soild with 8 points and 7 rebounds. He is averaging 3 points per game on the season in 9 minutes per game. He is starting because as mentioned Melo is injured and It is unknown If he will play in this game, of course that may change so these line-ups aren't completely 100% right. James Jones on the other hand is having a soild season since arriving from the Pacers in the summer. JJ is averaging around 10 points per game and is shooting around 40% from three. He had an off game against his former team on wednesday, I expect him to bounce back in this one.
Power Forwards
Kenyon Martin Vs Shawn Marion
This is one match-up worth watching. Kenyon Martin though has struggled this year with main injuries and has missed quite a few games. He had surgery in the summer and thought he had fixed the problem but the problem hasn't seemed to of gone away. K-mart is having a career low season averaging just 12 points and 5 rebounds a game. His minutes obviously due to injury have been down. He will need to be on his top form to contend with Suns all-star Shawn Marion who is having another great season. Shawn is averaging 19 points and a career high 12.5 rebounds per game which is ranked 3rd in the NBA. He is also leading the team in steals and blocks. He has been excellent all the way across the board.
centers
Marcus Camby Vs Boris Diaw
The center match-up is going to be a good one. Marcus Camby is having a truely amazing season and even though the Nuggets have been struggling has been having an MVP type season. Prefect for you fantasy guys out there. Camby has averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals on 53% shooting. He has been quite amazing for Denver so far. If only he had shooters then his team's record would be far better. So all in all 6'8 Boris Diaw will have his hands full. Diaw is having quite a season himself and has to be one of the early favourites for the most improved player award. Diaw who is showing how well rounded he truely is by playing center. This is a guy who can play all 5 positions and is now playing the 5 spot after having some success playing there. This year Boris is averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block on 52% shooting. No one expected him to do this well so early but he has done a great job so far and his offense has improved as the season has gone on and has gotten even more confidence. He will have a tough job guarding Camby but he won't be alone as Kurt Thomas will come off the bench and guard Camby. KT looks to be fitting in nicely and was quite effective on JO on wednesday night.
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key's To The Game
Nuggets
- Get Andre Miller going, with Melo likely out the Nuggets will need more offense from him. What he does against Nash is huge.
- The Nuggets need something out of Kenyon Martin who is having as mentioned a career low season. This is the type of game where the Nuggets need K-mart to produce mainly with Nene out for the year.
- Contending the Suns two all-stars won't be easy. Try and control Nash and don't let Marion dominate you on the inside. He has been deadly this season.
- Must try and guard Marcus Camby and not let him dominate on the boards and inside in general. He has to do more with Martin not 100% and Nene out for the season. Camby has been huge for Denver this year and they will need him on top of his game. Maybe KT will contend him like he did to Jermaine O'Neal?
- Push the ball and try and get the Nuggets into a running game. The Nuggets like to run but running with the Suns is not always wise. Not in Phoenix.
- Role players must keep up their recent good form. Jones, Bell, Thomas, House have all been key guys hitting their shots and playing defense. With Barbosa out, everyone has stepped It up lately.
The Phoenix Suns head into friday night's game looking for their 5 straight win. The Suns are coming off a great win against of the contenders for the NBA title the Indiana Pacers. Suns got the win 109-91 and led by as many as 34 points. Steve Nash led the Suns with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists which included 7/8 threes. Shawn Marion added 21 and 12 while Boris Diaw contined his good form with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists alongwith 3 steals and 1 block. The win moved the Suns to 8-5 and only a game away for the top of the pacific not bad for a team missing Amare and Barbosa.
The Denver Nuggets on the other hand have struggled. They are 8-8 and to make matters worse lose Carmelo Anthony to injury early in the week in their loss at home to the Nets. The Nuggets in their first game without him lost another game this time at home to the surprising New Orleans Hornets.
The Suns after starting 1-4 at home having won 4 in a row. They will look to continue the good run of form on friday night to extend the win streak to 5 games.
I expect the Suns to come out strong again and get the win. The Nuggets are shorthanded like the Suns but unlike the Suns the Nuggets don't have as many scorers or shooters. If Melo is out then the Suns should get a double fiqure win. If he is playing then It will likely be alot closer.
ENJOY THE GAME!!!
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