Suns vs. Heat 3/25

[azdad1978]

Suns-Heat clash is worth the wait

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 25, 2005 12:00 AM

MIAMI - Miami coach Stan Van Gundy re-emerged to the Heat practice court long after Shaquille O'Neal had headed home to Star Island on Thursday.

Van Gundy joked he wasn't worth waiting for. As opposed to O'Neal, who had chosen not to speak to the media Thursday.

Tonight's game is what NBA fans have been waiting for since the Suns wiped out the Heat on Jan. 11. Phoenix moved to 31-4 by pouncing on Miami with a 40-point first quarter that led to a 122-107 home win.



The teams with the best two records meet in a possible NBA Finals tease. Steve Nash and O'Neal meet as the league's top MVP candidates. By methods, this is beauty and the beast.

"It'll be two different styles and we'll see who has the will to continue it for 48 minutes," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, whose team could sweep for a tiebreaker that would come into play if the teams tie for the best overall record and meet in the Finals. " . . . This is the game we've waited for."

But this time, they meet in "Daddy's Home," as the arena-tall sign with O'Neal's picture declares. This time, Miami has a feel for Phoenix's intent to double O'Neal constantly and double Dwyane Wade on pick and rolls. By the time the Heat deciphered that last time, the Suns were blowing out Miami.

"You can't adapt to their style," Wade said. "We can run with any team in the league, but we're not going to try to run with Phoenix. We'll run at times and use our big fella for what he's for. We're better equipped to handle it. Guys have to be more aggressive shooting when they put two guys on Shaq."

Miami figures to fare better at getting stops, although the Heat do not match up well with the speed and shooting ability Phoenix has at each position. Miami would rather make Nash shoot than see him pass.

While Nash dominated Damon Jones last time, Amaré Stoudemire stayed on the floor for 34 points by letting O'Neal dunk when he did get a deep post catch. O'Neal made 16 of 20 shots and had 34 of his own.

"Wow, I wish I hadn't watched the film because the memories wouldn't be so vivid," Van Gundy said.

"I haven't seen a team, San Antonio or anyone, take them out of things. You can't beat them without having a very efficient offensive night."

Miami is usually that, leading the NBA in shooting with Phoenix second.

Each meeting is an intriguing element for Stoudemire's ascension from a child who idolized O'Neal to a fellow All-Star who co-hosted a party with the man who once dubbed him "The Future." Stoudemire said it seems like the future is here.

"As far as being opponents, it's time to get a win," Stoudemire said. "I use more of my quickness against him. Whatever advantage I have over an opponent, I'm going to use it.

"Shaq is really being a team player. That's what is allowing him to be so good. That's what we're learning right now."
Tonight's game
SUNS VS. HEAT

WHERE: American Airlines Arena.

WHEN: 6 p.m.

TV/RADIO: ESPN, UPN 45, KTAR-AM (620).

HEAT UPDATE: Miami has won a club-record 15 straight games at home, but had a 12-game win streak snapped Tuesday at Houston. The Heat have been stewing at home without a game since. That may have helped Udonis Haslem, who missed that loss with a shoulder separation. He did not practice Thursday but is no longer feeling pain. Christian Laettner is also on the injured list. The Suns might see more of Keyon Dooling, Shandon Anderson and Rasual Butler for better matchups.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0325suns0325.html

 

[elindholm]

I imagine most people on this board (including me) are expecting Miami to win by double digits, but maybe the Suns will surprise us. This would be a fantastic victory if they could somehow pull it off.

 

[WaywardFan]

I actually get to see this game!

 

[frdbtr]

If the Suns come out and play hard on both ends of the court and get beat it will be fine with me. If they come out (like they have since the 32-4 or something start) and play half assed on defense then they WILL get beat and it will again piss me off. The Suns CAN beat this team on it's home floor but they can't do it by not playing any defense and trying to outscore them.

 

[Chaz]

I imagine most people on this board (including me) are expecting Miami to win by double digits, but maybe the Suns will surprise us. This would be a fantastic victory if they could somehow pull it off.

I guess I am in the minority then.

I don't see any reason why the Suns should lose to the Heat tonight if they play well. They should be focued and ready for this game.

 

[jbeecham]

I guess I am in the minority then.

I don't see any reason why the Suns should lose to the Heat tonight if they play well. They should be focued and ready for this game.

The Heat are just coming off their 2nd 10+ game winning streak of the season. They just lost to Houston, who have been on a good winning streak themselves. The Heat are probably playing some of their best basketball of the season and I don't think this will be an easy game like the last one. I still think the Suns have a good chance to win, but I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it.

 

[Griffin]

I guess I am in the minority then.

I don't see any reason why the Suns should lose to the Heat tonight if they play well. They should be focued and ready for this game.

Alllow me to join the minority too. I expect a close game. I expect the Suns will come out and play with playoff intensity.

 

[SweetD]

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Today's Game​

Friday, 6:00pmat HeatTV: ESPN, UPN 45 Preview​

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This game should be titled clash of the titians. The top two teams playing in a game that could determine who gets home court in the finals. I can see this game being much closer than the first meeting. The Suns haven't been playing that great of ball, but if they come out and dominate the Heat I will have new found faith that this team is for real this year.​

 

[TopGamer]

I guess I am in the minority then.

I don't see any reason why the Suns should lose to the Heat tonight if they play well. They should be focued and ready for this game.

I agree. The first matchup was just as eagerly anticipated as this game. I don't think either teams took it lightly and both played hard. I expect the same thing tonight. Of course the heat will probably want some revenge and prevent the suns from getting the tie-breaker. There's no reason we can't win this game. The first matchup we beat them by 15 because the starters had good nights as far as scoring even though we got less points from our bench than them and had a much lower shooting percentage. They key to that game was FT's where we got twice as many points than them. We have a deeper bench than we did when we played them in January. Also Haslem may still be out who was a big contribution to their offense in that game.

 

[George O'Brien]

I don't think the Heat are the kind of physical defensive team that can take the Suns out of their offense. This means it is very simple: if the Suns hit their outside shots they win. If they don't they won't.

 

[SweetD]

I will not be out done

 

[TopGamer]

I don't think the Heat are the kind of physical defensive team that can take the Suns out of their offense. This means it is very simple: if the Suns hit their outside shots they win. If they don't they won't.

It's just that simple.

 

[carey]

This game should be titled clash of the titians.

Clash of the venetian painters? I don't get it.

 

[SweetD]

I am going to miss this game. I will on my way to Tuscon and will not be able to see it. Hope we do well tonight and get going like we were at the start of the season.

 

[jibikao]

Yes, it's on ESPN so I can watch!

I think we should win this one if we shoot well from 3pt. Q and JJ must step up. Q has been shooting really poorly.

As long as we run, we should win just like last time. It won't be a blowout but a W.

But if we lose a close game, that's sort of understablable... I mean it's their home game (even though Suns plays better on the road).

 

[SweetD]

MSNBC Game Notes

The Phoenix Suns can do much more than establish a new team record for consecutive road wins when they visit the Miami Heat.

They can also earn the tiebreaker advantage over Miami for homecourt advantage in a potential NBA Finals showdown, and end the Heat’s 15-game home winning streak.

“This is a game we’ve been waiting for,” Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni admitted. “It’s big for us, because if we win it, we get the tiebreaker.”

With the regular season winding down, Phoenix, Miami and San Antonio are in a race for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Suns, who have a team-record and NBA-best 28-7 mark on the road, beat Miami 120-105 in Phoenix on Jan. 11. Pheonix matched a team record with its ninth straight road victory Wednesday, beating expansion Charlotte 120-105.

To make it 10 in a row, the Suns will have to end a three-game losing streak in Miami. Phoenix’s last road win over the Heat was on Feb. 21, 2001.

Miami’s home record is second only to San Antonio’s (31-3). The Heat haven’t lost at home since Jan. 21, when they fell to Indiana in overtime.

“It’s going to be a big-time game,” said Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, who had 23 points and 14 rebounds Wednesday. “Even though we take it one game at a time, that game has definitely been lingering in the back of our minds.”

Shawn Marion had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Suns, who have already outdone their previous team record road mark of 27-14, set in both 1992-1993 and 1994-1995. Marion is averaging 21.6 points and 13.8 rebounds in his last five games.

Joe Johnson scored 26 points for the Suns. Jim Jackson scored 15 and Steve Nash finished with 11 points, 10 assists and no turnovers.

Miami had a 12-game overall winning streak snapped Tuesday, losing 84-82 at Houston.

The Heat set the franchise record by winning 14 in a row from Dec. 6-Jan. 1. They hadn’t lost in regulation since Feb. 1 at Dallas, and their only losses in the previous 21 games both came in overtime when All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal was out with an injury.

Miami was playing without starting power forward Udonis Haslem, who sat out because of a slightly separated left shoulder. His status for Friday’s game is uncertain.

Haslem was hurt during Friday’s win over New York, when he scored just three points but grabbed 16 rebounds. Haslem, averaging 10.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, had played in every game this season.

O’Neal led Miami with 23 points and 16 rebounds against the Rockets. Dwyane Wade added 20 points on just 4-of-19 shooting and Eddie Jones had 16 points and seven rebounds.

“I just think it was us being a little bit complacent, being a little bit cute because of our win streak,” said O’Neal, averaging 25 points and 12.2 rebounds in his last five games. “I wouldn’t say it’s good. It’s something that we can’t have. We’ve got (13) games left, and we just have to really tighten it up.”

 

[elindholm]

End of the third quarter...

If the Suns are fortunate enough to play the Heat in the Finals, I think they should seriously consider abandoning the strategy of trying to get O'Neal in foul trouble. Wade is absolutely them. When O'Neal is on the floor, he has to be the primary option, but right now I'd rather take him and his free-throw misses than Wade's all-around dominance.

Also, barring a big fourth quarter, I'm officially in the "let Joe Johnson walk" camp. Every big game is followed up by one or two absolute stinkers. For the money he'll probably end up getting, he simply isn't consistent enough, and the few big games he has between now and the end of the season aren't going to change that.

 

[az1965]

End of the third quarter...
Also, barring a big fourth quarter, I'm officially in the "let Joe Johnson walk" camp. Every big game is followed up by one or two absolute stinkers. For the money he'll probably end up getting, he simply isn't consistent enough, and the few big games he has between now and the end of the season aren't going to change that.

JJ is really stinking is so bad, you can smell it all the way to Phoenix...

 

[az1965]

Looks like the game is pretty much over down by 19 points with 5 min to go...

 

[az1965]

Closed the gap to 7 with 2 plus minutes to go, WOW... Can we pull it out???

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

win or loose, this game is a prime example of Q's value.

You can bring up his shooting numbers all you want, however he is a pure gamer.

 

[azdad1978]

Refs are a joke. Couple of stupid calls but we still should have played better.

 

[az1965]

We just did not play good at all. First quarter let down haunted us in the end as well.

 

[elindholm]

You can bring up his shooting numbers all you want, however he is a pure gamer.

I agree. Some players are just more mentally focused when the game in on the line, and Richardson sure seems to be one of them.

 

[arthurracoon]

Unfortunately I dont think either of the PHX-Miami games this season would predict how these teams would play in a 7 game series.

In the first game everything went right for the suns, and in the second, everything went right for the heat.