Friday, December 17, 2004
GAME 23: SUNS 112, SUPERSONICS 110
(final update at 11:28p)
Suns 112, SuperSonics 110
Some in-game notes...definitely not along the lines of a Seahawk game post, but it's something.
The Sonics led 37-21 at the end of the first quarter. Rashard Lewis had 12 points. They shot 62% in the opening frame. Reggie Evans looks like he made an adjustment in his free-throw shooting; it looks like maybe he's putting more of his legs into the shots and getting some more arc.
The Sonics put five bench players on the court to begin the second quarter. The Suns answered with three straight three-balls. I wonder how long it's going to take for Ron Murray to get worked into this offense. I wonder if it will happen at all. If not, he's darn good trade bait.
The Sonics were a little slow in the second quarter at times getting back on defense in transition after their missed shots. They also were a step slow at times in the halfcourt defense, when the third or fourth pass by Phoenix would find a wide-open Joe Johnson for a three or outside jumper, which he kept hitting. Seattle's rebounding also saw a stiff decrease in the second quarter, and Phoenix took much better care of the ball. The Sonics were 10 for their last 29 from the field to end the half, and shot 9 of 24 in the second quarter. They end the first half 24-for-48 from the field.
Okay, that's the second damn time Ray Allen has dribbled the ball for about 10 seconds and it ended up as a shot clock violation. The Sonics' offensive execution just doesn't seem like it's clicking right now (7:30 to go in the quarter). I know the Suns are good, but whenever I see the Sonics blow a double-digit lead, I get ticked off.
Hey, Sonics? Start playing defense. Thanks.
Why are the Sonics making so many dumb plays when the shot clock runs down and they don't have many options open? Luke Ridnour is 2-for-8...ugh.
Ray Allen with a clutch three (later changed to a two) at 1:59 left in the third quarter. Vlad Radmanovic played two great plays in a row, catching the ball down low and making two or three moves on Steven Hunter, a good shot-blocker, and putting in a shot over him. Then he intercepted a pass in the lane on defense, and Allen hit the three on the other end. Sonics are up four.
Seattle up 81-78 after three. It's a nail-biter, folks. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems some of the Sonics are calling for the ball a lot more than I'm used to seeing. On the other hand, I might just be crazy.
Is there any way Phoenix can keep having their starters play so many minutes? Are their legs just going to turn to jelly around March?
The first two minutes of the fourth quarter have just passed by, and the Sonics look like they have no idea what mistake-free basketball is. Crazy passes, passes getting batted in traffic...it's just not happening on the offensive end.
Phoenix by four and a time out by Nate. Pick it the hell up. Also, GET RON MURRAY OFF THE FLOOR. Nothing's happening with him out there.
Sonics at the limit at 8:28 left in the 4th. Not good. Phoenix can drive the ball all day and shoot free throws. Great.
Lewis...PLEASE don't be hurt. He looked like he was grabbing his knee after falling down on that Barbosa foul under the basket. He stays in the game...and blocks a shot on the other end.
I'd be ticked about that goaltend/foul call for Ray Allen too. But I'm rooting Seattle here...great call.
I've got Calabro and Ehlo on over the muted game, and man, they play a ton of Sprite ads with that damn doll with the 'fro. As if Li'l Penny wasn't bad enough. Anyway, I'm not sure which is more annoying: Thirst, Li'l Penny, or the Babboon off of early Adam Sandler comedy albums. I know which is more funny, though.
If Danny Fortson hadn't gotten five fouls called on him so quickly, we wouldn't have to worry about Reggie Evans at the line...at least he hit one of them at 6:06.
Suns at the limit at 5:24. It looks like Nash blatantly pushed Evans. Not because of Evans' flop, but Nash's hands. Evans hit both free throws.
Defensive three seconds is the new illegal defense.
Nice move on the layup and one by Antonio Daniels on Stoudemire.
What a pass down low by Allen to Evans for the easy layup. VLAD FOR THREE!! WHAT A ROLL!!! MULTIPLE BOUNCES! Calabro: "Serendipity!" Sonics by 7.
Did I mention that whole thing where Allen holds the ball for about 10 seconds with the shot clock whittles down? No violation this time, but there was an intercepted crosscourt pass.
Ridnour back in at 1:31. I don't think he'd played the whole fourth quarter.
1:10. Allen lays one up off the bottom of the basket, and Quentin Richardson gets a foul and one on the other end. This game's over.
Rashard misses the second free throw, Joe Johnson's shot gets pinned, and then he gets the shot right back. Phoenix by three instead of two. In a related story, Danny Fortson is sitting on the bench with five fouls.
AFTER ALL THAT BALL MOVEMENT, LUKE RIDNOUR TAKES THE FREAKIN' THREE BALL?!!?!!!! WHAT IN THE HELL?!!?!!!?!!! Yes, it is really over right now. Down by five with eight seconds left.
Thanks for those too-little-too-late threes, guys. They tacked on 0.4 more seconds after the second three, though. Sonics down one. A Sonic win here would be an absolute miracle. Doubtful, though.
But hey, Radmanovic fouled before the ball was inbounded. Thanks for putting it out of doubt, Vlad.
POSTGAME
I could be a lot more ticked off about this loss. Normally blowing a 16-point lead in the first half and blowing a 7-point lead WITH 3:14 LEFT in the fourth quarter would have me ticked off. The Sonics didn't seem to get the offense going at all once the first quarter was over. I don't know how to gauge the defensive play, either. I know the Suns are good, but sometimes it seemed like the Seattle defense was a step too slow, and they'd leave guys wide open, or have to foul them on the way to the basket. Again, I'll note that Danny Fortson was out with his fifth foul very early in the fourth.
Remember that hot streak that Luke Ridnour had earlier in the month? That's officially done. He's scored 10 points combined in the last three games on 4-for-26 shooting. At least he's had 24 assists over the same span, but if Luke doesn't find his shot again, his minutes are going to get curtailed. There's a reason he wasn't on the floor in the fourth quarter until inside two minutes remaining.
The Sonics also wasted a double-double night by Reggie Evans. They wasted a 16 and 11 night out of Fortson in the Boston game.
The Suns beat the Sonics and are the best team in the West. Come on, guys. It doesn't have to be that much like the early '90s.
The Suns scored 17 points in the last three minutes. Sheesh. Thanks to the KJR postgame for that stat.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters: Ray Allen 32 pts/5 reb/3 ast (15-26 FG), Rashard Lewis 26 pts/7 reb (10-19 FG, 4-10 3pt), Reggie Evans 13 pts/10 reb (3-4 FG, 7-11 free throws), Luke Ridnour 6 pts/4 reb/9 ast (2-9 FG)
bench: Vlad Radmanovic 14 pts (6-12 FG, 2-7 3pt), Antonio Daniels 11 pts/4 ast/3 reb (3-8 FG), Danny Fortson 2 pts/3 reb (12 minutes)
Jerome James Watch: 6 pts/2 reb (3-3 FG)
team: shot 48.9% from the field (43 of 88), shot 30.8% from three (8-for-26), had 14 turnovers for 16 Phoenix points, outrebounded Phoenix 43-40, bench outscored Suns' bench 27-7, were outscored by Suns 26-8 on the fast break
Suns 112, SuperSonics 110
Some in-game notes...definitely not along the lines of a Seahawk game post, but it's something.
The Sonics led 37-21 at the end of the first quarter. Rashard Lewis had 12 points. They shot 62% in the opening frame. Reggie Evans looks like he made an adjustment in his free-throw shooting; it looks like maybe he's putting more of his legs into the shots and getting some more arc.
The Sonics put five bench players on the court to begin the second quarter. The Suns answered with three straight three-balls. I wonder how long it's going to take for Ron Murray to get worked into this offense. I wonder if it will happen at all. If not, he's darn good trade bait.
The Sonics were a little slow in the second quarter at times getting back on defense in transition after their missed shots. They also were a step slow at times in the halfcourt defense, when the third or fourth pass by Phoenix would find a wide-open Joe Johnson for a three or outside jumper, which he kept hitting. Seattle's rebounding also saw a stiff decrease in the second quarter, and Phoenix took much better care of the ball. The Sonics were 10 for their last 29 from the field to end the half, and shot 9 of 24 in the second quarter. They end the first half 24-for-48 from the field.
Okay, that's the second damn time Ray Allen has dribbled the ball for about 10 seconds and it ended up as a shot clock violation. The Sonics' offensive execution just doesn't seem like it's clicking right now (7:30 to go in the quarter). I know the Suns are good, but whenever I see the Sonics blow a double-digit lead, I get ticked off.
Hey, Sonics? Start playing defense. Thanks.
Why are the Sonics making so many dumb plays when the shot clock runs down and they don't have many options open? Luke Ridnour is 2-for-8...ugh.
Ray Allen with a clutch three (later changed to a two) at 1:59 left in the third quarter. Vlad Radmanovic played two great plays in a row, catching the ball down low and making two or three moves on Steven Hunter, a good shot-blocker, and putting in a shot over him. Then he intercepted a pass in the lane on defense, and Allen hit the three on the other end. Sonics are up four.
Seattle up 81-78 after three. It's a nail-biter, folks. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems some of the Sonics are calling for the ball a lot more than I'm used to seeing. On the other hand, I might just be crazy.
Is there any way Phoenix can keep having their starters play so many minutes? Are their legs just going to turn to jelly around March?
The first two minutes of the fourth quarter have just passed by, and the Sonics look like they have no idea what mistake-free basketball is. Crazy passes, passes getting batted in traffic...it's just not happening on the offensive end.
Phoenix by four and a time out by Nate. Pick it the hell up. Also, GET RON MURRAY OFF THE FLOOR. Nothing's happening with him out there.
Sonics at the limit at 8:28 left in the 4th. Not good. Phoenix can drive the ball all day and shoot free throws. Great.
Lewis...PLEASE don't be hurt. He looked like he was grabbing his knee after falling down on that Barbosa foul under the basket. He stays in the game...and blocks a shot on the other end.
I'd be ticked about that goaltend/foul call for Ray Allen too. But I'm rooting Seattle here...great call.
I've got Calabro and Ehlo on over the muted game, and man, they play a ton of Sprite ads with that damn doll with the 'fro. As if Li'l Penny wasn't bad enough. Anyway, I'm not sure which is more annoying: Thirst, Li'l Penny, or the Babboon off of early Adam Sandler comedy albums. I know which is more funny, though.
If Danny Fortson hadn't gotten five fouls called on him so quickly, we wouldn't have to worry about Reggie Evans at the line...at least he hit one of them at 6:06.
Suns at the limit at 5:24. It looks like Nash blatantly pushed Evans. Not because of Evans' flop, but Nash's hands. Evans hit both free throws.
Defensive three seconds is the new illegal defense.
Nice move on the layup and one by Antonio Daniels on Stoudemire.
What a pass down low by Allen to Evans for the easy layup. VLAD FOR THREE!! WHAT A ROLL!!! MULTIPLE BOUNCES! Calabro: "Serendipity!" Sonics by 7.
Did I mention that whole thing where Allen holds the ball for about 10 seconds with the shot clock whittles down? No violation this time, but there was an intercepted crosscourt pass.
Ridnour back in at 1:31. I don't think he'd played the whole fourth quarter.
1:10. Allen lays one up off the bottom of the basket, and Quentin Richardson gets a foul and one on the other end. This game's over.
Rashard misses the second free throw, Joe Johnson's shot gets pinned, and then he gets the shot right back. Phoenix by three instead of two. In a related story, Danny Fortson is sitting on the bench with five fouls.
AFTER ALL THAT BALL MOVEMENT, LUKE RIDNOUR TAKES THE FREAKIN' THREE BALL?!!?!!!! WHAT IN THE HELL?!!?!!!?!!! Yes, it is really over right now. Down by five with eight seconds left.
Thanks for those too-little-too-late threes, guys. They tacked on 0.4 more seconds after the second three, though. Sonics down one. A Sonic win here would be an absolute miracle. Doubtful, though.
But hey, Radmanovic fouled before the ball was inbounded. Thanks for putting it out of doubt, Vlad.
POSTGAME
I could be a lot more ticked off about this loss. Normally blowing a 16-point lead in the first half and blowing a 7-point lead WITH 3:14 LEFT in the fourth quarter would have me ticked off. The Sonics didn't seem to get the offense going at all once the first quarter was over. I don't know how to gauge the defensive play, either. I know the Suns are good, but sometimes it seemed like the Seattle defense was a step too slow, and they'd leave guys wide open, or have to foul them on the way to the basket. Again, I'll note that Danny Fortson was out with his fifth foul very early in the fourth.
Remember that hot streak that Luke Ridnour had earlier in the month? That's officially done. He's scored 10 points combined in the last three games on 4-for-26 shooting. At least he's had 24 assists over the same span, but if Luke doesn't find his shot again, his minutes are going to get curtailed. There's a reason he wasn't on the floor in the fourth quarter until inside two minutes remaining.
The Sonics also wasted a double-double night by Reggie Evans. They wasted a 16 and 11 night out of Fortson in the Boston game.
The Suns beat the Sonics and are the best team in the West. Come on, guys. It doesn't have to be that much like the early '90s.
The Suns scored 17 points in the last three minutes. Sheesh. Thanks to the KJR postgame for that stat.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters: Ray Allen 32 pts/5 reb/3 ast (15-26 FG), Rashard Lewis 26 pts/7 reb (10-19 FG, 4-10 3pt), Reggie Evans 13 pts/10 reb (3-4 FG, 7-11 free throws), Luke Ridnour 6 pts/4 reb/9 ast (2-9 FG)
bench: Vlad Radmanovic 14 pts (6-12 FG, 2-7 3pt), Antonio Daniels 11 pts/4 ast/3 reb (3-8 FG), Danny Fortson 2 pts/3 reb (12 minutes)
Jerome James Watch: 6 pts/2 reb (3-3 FG)
team: shot 48.9% from the field (43 of 88), shot 30.8% from three (8-for-26), had 14 turnovers for 16 Phoenix points, outrebounded Phoenix 43-40, bench outscored Suns' bench 27-7, were outscored by Suns 26-8 on the fast break
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