Suns beat Spurs 94-87 as Shaq shows the way

<a href="http://phoenix.fanster.com/tag/shaq" class="kblinker" title="More about shaq »">Shaq</a> v. Spurs’ height=”250″/></a>(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Suns – Spurs is never just another game not since last year playoffs series, anyway. The games are usually very intense and highly contested and in the end the Spurs find a way to win, well not this time, my friends.</p> <p>This time at the US Airways Center the Suns finally beat the Spurs <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20080309/SASPHX/boxscore.html">94-87 </a>as Shaq set the tone for a very intense Suns performance.</p> <p>I should have said Los Suns against Los Spurs since it was “Noche Latina” in the NBA. The idea from the marketing dept. to honour Latin heritage was basically a linguistic non sense, why put "THE" in Spanish on the jersey. Whatever, it was just Spurs vs. Suns.</p> <p>In the end it was the kind of game the Spurs wanted to play, only this time they didn't win. A key victory for the Suns and coach D'Antoni who looked very nervous at times, arguing calls with the refs late in the game. I think he's starting to feel some pressure.</p> <p>The first half was a tense affair with both teams ready to fight for the victory. The Spurs eventually led 48-45 after 2 periods despite Shaq's 12 points and 11 rebounds and Grant Hill 6-of-7 shooting.</p> <p>The Suns finally showed energy and effort and they even did a good job on both sides of the court in the first half.</p> <p>It was a bit odd when the Suns actually went to Shaq in the low post two or three times in the first half as the game was often played with Duncan and former Suns Kurt Thomas playing against O'Neal and Stoudemire.</p> <p>It was the first time Shaq actually looked somewhat comfortable in the Suns offense and was a real force inside and the Suns were able to built a small six-point lead in the third which eventually saw the Spurs up 70-69.</p> <p>It's not by chance that the Suns best defense was played in the third quarter with Shaq in the middle and Stoudemire on the bench with foul trouble.</p> <p>The fourth quarter was even more intense. The game was tied at 85 with 2:52 left and the Suns took the lead for good 88-85 on Stoudemire three free throws (on back to back plays) with 1:57 to go.</p> <p>Ginobili led the Spurs with 22 points while Duncan added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Parker scored 21.</p> <p>Steve Nash scored 19 points and 11 assists leading a Suns team that had six players in double figures (Bell 11, Stoudemire 16, Hill 18, Barbosa 10) but it was Shaq setting the tone of the game with his 14 points and 16 rebounds.</p> <p>The Suns (41-22) will now stay at home to face Memphis on Tuesday night (7 PM).</p> <p>Yours truly, a happy Steve Fan</p> </div> <ul class="entry-meta"> <li><strong>Date:</strong> 9 Mar 08</li> <li><strong>Written by:</strong> <a href="http://phoenix.fanster.com/author/steve-fan/" title="Posts by Steve Fan" rel="author">Steve Fan</a></li> <li><strong>Comment:</strong> <a href="http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/03/09/suns-beat-spurs-94-87-as-shaq-shows-the-way/#respond" title="Comment on Suns beat Spurs 94-87 as Shaq shows the way"><span class="dsq-postid" rel="3021 <a href=0

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  • http://falsehope.com False Hope

    Reasons not to hope for much:

    1) The game was at home for Phoenix.
    2) Los Spurs lost to Denver the previous game.
    3) Los Spurs played badly, and still had a chance to win.
    4) Los Suns win helped the Lakers even more.

  • Steve Fan

    Let’s just assume reasons 1-4 are all correct, I’ll take a win over los spurs anytime..ugly, lucky, whatever

  • http://azsportshub.com Matt Blake

    I am still a bit confused about the “Los” part myself. Clearly the marketing person who drew up this plan does not live in the southwest….