Game 8: Friday, November 17th, 8:30PM (PST - Arizona)





Philadelphia 76ers
(4-3)


<table border=2 align=center>
<tr align=center>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<tr align=center>
<td>Ollie
<td>Iverson
<td>Iguodala
<td>Webber
<td>Dalembert
<tr align=center>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<tr align=center>
<td>Green
<td>Carney
<td>Korver
<td>Randolph
<td>Hunter
</table>




@



Phoenix Suns
(2-5)


<table border=2 align=center>
<tr align=center>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<tr align=center>
<td>Nash
<td>Barbosa
<td>Marion
<td>Diaw
<td>Stoudemire
<tr align=center>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<td>
<tr align=center>
<td>Banks
<td>Bell
<td>Rose
<td>JaJones
<td>Thomas
</table>




Suns Previous Game

Suns 96 - Grizzlies 87

Finally achieving the level of play that would allow them to blow another NBA team out of the water, Phoenix destroyed an ailing Memphis team on Saturday. They achieved a 30 point lead midway through the third quarter. Leading the way with a breakout performance was Amare Stoudemire. Although the big man competition in the form of Stromile Swift was not stellar in the least, Amare dominated on the inside and on the boards. He put up 24 points, grabbed 14 boards and blocked 2 shots in just 25 minutes of play. Suns as a team shot only 41%, thanks to a terrible shooting episode by the bench (Jones, Jones, Burke and Pike were a combined 1-19). But they fought valiantly for 15 offensive rebounds, more than doubling their season high this year. Hustle on defense was also night and day from the previous games, holding the Grizzlies to just 58 points through three quarters. And given the Suns high paced offense, that is as efficient as can be. This game was won by solid effort on both ends of the floor.

Of course, one must note how the final score came to be so close. Coach made a mistake in playing a lineup of all deep bench players, players whom fired off over a dozen threes without making a single one. The lead dropped into double digits with four minutes remaining in the game, prompting the starters to return and finish off the game. Even though Memphis had a steamrolling momentum, the Suns held on for the win. Ironically, the Grizzlies played like the Suns to get themselves back into the game. And once that happened, Coach Fratello unshockingly stifled their offense by slowing it down and running plays. They lost their momentum. Go with what got you there anyone?

76ers Previous Game

Rockets 96 - Grizzlies 90

Andre Iguodala was close to a triple double.

Game Notes

The Suns are by no means out of the merky water, and they need to pick up another win here in our backyard. Iverson has been shooting 41% this year, but has gotten to the charity stripe over 10 times per game so far this year. Iverson will have to get his teammates involved tonight though, because the Suns believe their offense is more efficient as a unit than any one opposing player. The Sixers are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA (yet still two spots above the Suns in rebound differential), and if the Suns come out with the same effort they should be able to tip the scales in their favor. However, on the rise is the defensive efficiency of the 76ers. Chris Webber is unhappy with his reduced role out on the court and has taken it to the media.

Amare Stoudemire faces a true test tonight in the form of solid defender Samuel Dalembert, who is definitely no Stromile Swift. It will be important to have the outside game going, because even perfectly healthy players are prone to swattage with they drive to the basket against Dally.

Injuries

Raja Bell will play through pain.


Vegas Odds
MGM-Mirage

Favorite: PHO
Point spread: -7½

Originally Posted by Dr.Seuss I'm glad Ollie is starting. That'll give Nash a break. I also believe Bell will start, with LB coming off the bench. I hope Amare tears up Dalmbert.

D'Antoni also said that Amare Stoudemire is 99.9 percent back to form after last year's microfracture surgery. Stoudemire has not missed a rep in any practice of late and the Coach said that STAT has no restrictions and could play 35-40 minutes.

Originally Posted by Phoenix32 I gonna watch this game, it doesn't matter that in Lithuania it would be 5.30 AM of Saturday, but I want to see how my team are playing and I believe that we will get 3rd victory. I read that bell would play in this game, Nash could not come in because he have back spasms and D'Antoni said that today probably won't play Banks and Junior...

Originally Posted by ShuHanGuanYu Well, looks like I'm goin' to the game. I really hope Nash plays. And wonderful news about Amare. I still expect some setbacks, but we're seeing improvement over time.

Originally Posted by Dissonance19 Someone who can't go give you tickets again?

Originally Posted by ShuHanGuanYu Nah this time someone just called me and asked me to go with. After pondering it for less than 0 seconds, I said hell yeah.