Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. Phoenix
Want to enjoy the electricity of being Live at the Hardwood even if you're thousands of miles away? SUPERSONICS.COM's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame Q&As and observations from the game. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
That’s It
Posted at 8:24 p.m.
Phoenix wins 110-99. To keep this loss in perspective, let’s remember the Suns are the NBA’s second-best team - now only a half-game back of the San Antonio Spurs - and that they’re actually a better road team this season than a home team (as, by virtue of this loss, are the Sonics). Don’t downplay the loss of Nick Collison early on. While the Sonics strength up front is their depth of quality contributors, Collison was the best matchup against the Suns because he could both make them pay for putting a smaller player on him and keep up with Phoenix’s fast pace. That was only exacerbated by Vladimir Radmanovic having just a horrendous stinker of a game - four points on 2-for-12 shooting. Still, Nate McMillan and Dwane Casey really had no choice but to leave him in. Still, this game did demonstrate that the Sonics still have improvements to make, particularly in their transition defense, if they’re to match up with the Suns in the playoffs. As for Phoenix, this is a great win for them, and if their bench plays as well as it did tonight … they’re going to be tough to beat in the playoffs.
Ballgame
Posted at 8:19 p.m.
A Luke Ridnour turnover seems to have ended the Sonics hopes. With 50.4 seconds left, they trail by 10, 107-97, and we’re reaching miracle time.
Houston Tuesday
Posted at 8:16 p.m.
The Sonics are back in action at KeyArena Tuesday, hosting the Houston Rockets. The Rockets had been in a funk since losing guard Bob Sura, but they beat down on the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks today on ABC. Houston is led by All-Star starters Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, so come out to the Key to watch a potential playoff preview.
Get your tickets now!
Turn it Up to 11
Posted at 8:10 p.m.
The KeyArena crowd has been loud all night, but it’s found a new level since the spate of calls that went against the Sonics and Nate McMillan’s ejection. It’s had the opportunity to cheer lately, as the Sonics have rallied to get within 99-92 as we near the three-minute mark. Amare Stoudemire is headed to the free-throw line after the Sonics went scoreless on their last two possessions, Antonio Daniels taking too bold a risk in throwing an alley-oop to Rashard Lewis, who couldn’t convert, and Ray Allen missing a three that could have made it a four-point game.
Happier Times
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
It appears the last time Nate McMillan was ejected was over a year ago, Feb. 24 vs. Utah at KeyArena. Last night was a happier one for McMillan, as he watched his son Jamelle and the O’Dea basketball team win the Washington State Class 3A title for the second straight year. Jamelle, a sophomore, is O’Dea’s starting point guard.
“I know what it feels like for my family to see me play and coach,” said McMillan, referring to the helplessness he feels watching his son play.
Frustration Setting In
Posted at 8:00 p.m.
With the whistles seeming to go Phoenix’s way, frustration is clearly evident amongst the Sonics. Nate McMillan was just ejected from the game for drawing his second technical of the period by running out on to the court to protest a call. The KeyArena fans loudly supported McMillan, though not his ejection. The Sonics have been outscored 12-2 here in the fourth quarter and trail by 15. Intriguingly, the Suns are a +8 tonight with Steve Nash sitting on the bench.
The Clock is Ticking
Posted at 7:50 p.m.
Disastrous start to the fourth quarter for the Sonics. Antonio Daniels missed a pair of free throws while Shawn Marion hit his; Jim Jackson hit a jumper and Nate McMillan was assessed a technical (Jackson hit the free throw); Leandro Barbosa hit a three and it’s now 90-77 Phoenix. The Sonics are going to find the clock working against them rather severely if they don’t pull it together right here, right now. To be struggling so bad against a Phoenix lineup with only one starter (Shawn Marion) on the floor is not a good sign.
To the Fourth
Posted at 7:45 p.m.
The Sonics couldn’t score on their final possession with a chance to cut the lead to three, but they still halved the lead during the third quarter, making it an 82-77 game as we go to the fourth. They’re within striking distance, but they can’t afford any bad stretches here during the quarter or they’ll be in trouble. Steve Nash remains out of the game to start the fourth, and it is imperative that the Sonics take advantage of his absence and cut into this led further. They could use Vladimir Radmanovic to get going; since making his first two shots, Radmanovic has missed his last eight, including all six of his three-point tries.
Q&A With Amare
Posted at 7:40 p.m.
In just his third NBA season, Amare Stoudemire has earned MVP consideration. He’s fourth in the league in scoring and second in field-goal percentage. SUPERSONICS.COM chatted with Stoudemire briefly before the game about his season and the matchup with the Sonics.
You were talking with your teammates about the similarities and differences between these two teams. What do you see?
I think the Sonics have great shooters on the perimeter. They have a couple of guys that bring hard hats and do the dirty work out there. I think we’re pretty similar. We might have one or two playmakers, our inside post-up game may be a little better, but all in all both teams are capable of doing big things and you can’t underestimate them.
Have you enjoyed the first two matchups this season?
Yeah, they’ve been fun. Interesting games, close games, hard-working games. It’s not a pushover.
Do you look at games like Thursday against Detroit as an opportunity to make a statement to doubters?
No, not really. I think I look at games like that as games where we can step up - the defending world champs and tonight, they’ve got the third-best record in the conference. We’ve still got to bring our A-game.
How has Steve Nash been to play with?
I think Steve, he’s a point guard that gets everybody the ball. That’s what a point guard does for a time.
Were you disappointed at all finishing second in the dunk contest?
No, not really. I think I held it down pretty well. I did a couple of spectacular dunks out there; I’m satisfied.
You and Steve hooked up for one of the best dunks in the competition.
No question. I feel good about that.
JJ Playing Big
Posted at 7:32 p.m.
The Sonics continue to get a tremendous boost from center Jerome James, who has 12 points tonight and just had a highlight-reel stuff of Amare Stoudemire, going straight up to block the high-jumping Stoudemire. James now has 10+ points in three of his last four games. But momentum has quickly turned in favor of the Suns, with Stoudemire recording consecutive open-court dunks and getting foolishly fouled on the second by Luke Ridnour, who had no chance of stopping him. It’s Ridnour’s fifth foul, and Stoudemire will get a free throw after Nate McMillan’s timeout. The Sonics need to realize that there is absolutely no margin of error against the Suns and the shortcuts they can take against other teams will not work in this matchup.
Great Start
Posted at 7:27 p.m.
The Sonics have come out of halftime and seized momentum in this game. Ray Allen has seven points in the first 3:10 as the home team has outscored Phoenix 11-2 to cut the lead to one point, 62-61, prompting a Mike D’Antoni timeout. The defense got lucky when Quentin Richardson missed an open look at a three, but the rotation was much better on the following play as the Sonics forced Steve Nash to shoot a three with a hand in his face (he missed).
Halftime Stats
Posted at 7:20 p.m.
After chatting with my brother Tristan and cousin Chris, it’s time for a peek at the full halftime boxscore. It’s not pretty. Both teams continue to take great care of the basketball, with three turnovers a side, but the Sonics are shooting 40.0% from the field and 15.4% from 3-point range. Phoenix, you ask? 54.2% and 62.5%, respectively. But at least they’ve missed four of their seven free-throw attempts.
Discouraging Half
Posted at 7:06 p.m.
The Sonics can’t and shouldn’t feel particularly pleased with themselves going into the locker room. After giving up a Joe Johnson three and a wide-open Steven Hunter dunk to trail by 10, 60-50, at the half. The Sonics have had stretches where they’ve done well at getting back on defense, but they’ve been beaten downcourt far too many times. Beyond that, Nate McMillan might want to remind his team that Joe Johnson is the NBA’s third-leading three-point shooter. Johnson has been open far too many times and has 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including making all three of his 3s. On offense, the Sonics need to get their role players going. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis have combined for 25 points on 10-for-21 shooting; the rest of the team has 25 points on 10-for-29 shooting.
Running
Posted at 6:59 p.m.
Make it a 10-0 run for Phoenix, which now leads by that margin, 51-41. After surrendering just two points during the first four minutes of this quarter - not coincidentally, when Steve Nash was out of the game, the Sonics aren’t defending well enough right now. Phoenix is getting too many good looks and, for all their bluster about taking jumpers, the Suns have scored 34 of their 51 points in the paint, as compared to 18 for the Sonics. It’s time to execute and cut down this lead before halftime.
Lookalikes
Posted at 6:54 p.m.
The category: Rock stars. The player: Steve Nash. The lookalike: Tom Petty. Not obvious, but it works, and Mike D’Antoni and Nash shared a laugh afterwards. Bonus points for a dead-on comparison between a fan and Dave Matthews. He does live in Seattle … no, it wasn’t him. Rashard Lewis delivers a layup and a dunk to tie the game at 41, but two Joe Johnson scores - he’s now got a game-high 12 points - untie it.
Ouch
Posted at 6:49 p.m.
Earlier this quarter, Sonics rookie forward Nick Collison left the court holding his nose, and the bulletin has just been passed around the press box that Collison broke his nose. His return is questionable.
After a rare lull in the scoring, Phoenix has reclaimed the lead with a 4-0 run, Steve Nash going coast to coast for a layup and Vladimir Radmanovic throwing away the inbounds pass to Shawn Marion, who hit a layup. Those are the mistakes you can’t afford to make against the Suns.
Big Fan
Posted at 6:45 p.m.
This being a Sunday Kids at the Key game, the Storm Dance Troupe is on hand and performed at the last timeout. I happened to be on the floor while they were preparing before the game, and they’ve got a big fan in Phoenix reserve big man Bo Outlaw. Outlaw took a break from his shooting to deliver his own dance interpretation and later stopped to watch the kids.
Well Played
Posted at 6:42 p.m.
Think this game is being played at a high level? You bet. The teams combined for just three turnovers, one by the Sonics, during the first quarter. Vladimir Radmanovic has gotten the crowd into the game early in the second, powering to the hole for a surprisingly strong flush and then hitting a jumper while Danny Fortson was fouled battling for position. Fortson hit the free throw to cut Phoenix’s lead to one and Antonio Daniels followed with a jumper to give the Sonics their first lead since 15-14. Mike D’Antoni takes time.
After One
Posted at 6:37 p.m.
This one hasn’t disappointed in the excitement department thus far, with the two teams combining for 60 points and going back and forth. Joe Johnson hit a three for the Suns on their last possession, but he left 5.9 seconds on the clock and Ray Allen came down an answered with a long contested two. Allen has 10 points to lead all scores during the first quarter. Phoenix led pretty much throughout the period, but the Sonics have stayed in contact with them. Wow - 58% shooting for Phoenix I see as the first-quarter stats are flashed on the scoreboard. That actually has to be fairly encouraging, as the Sonics were dramatically outshot but stayed in the game at the free-throw line.
Good Injury
Posted at 6:30 p.m.
Leandro Barbosa is already in the game for the Suns, replacing starting point guard Steve Nash - MVP in Nate McMillan’s eyes - as Nash’s minutes are limited because of a hamstring injury that kept him out of the first three Suns games after the All-Star break. Mike D’Antoni speculated before the game that while the injury may not seem like a good thing now, it could work out in the long term because Barbosa has played well in Nash’s stead and Jim Jackson has shown off his ability to run the offense.
Phoenix Foul Trouble
Posted at 6:23 p.m.
After Steve Nash was called for a personal foul, sending us to timeout at the 5:22 mark of the first quarter, the Sonics are already in the bonus. This is a rarity for Phoenix, which ranks first (as in fewest) in the NBA in personal fouls per game. Fortunately, I asked Mike D’Antoni whether that was by design before tonight’s game.
“We don’t like to foul,” he said. “It keeps people off the line.”
D’Antoni added that they want to force other teams into a jump-shooting contest with them, one they believe they can win (a belief born out by the results thus far, though possibly not as accurate against the sharp-shooting Sonics). I had theorized that keeping starters out of foul trouble (Richardson is out of the game with two fouls) was a concern as well, but D’Antoni said it wasn’t really part of the thinking.
Did Ray Allen just throw up an airball? You don’t see that every day.
Emotions Running High
Posted at 6:19 p.m.
Five minutes into the game, each side has been called for a technical foul, with Jerome James giving Amare Stoudemire a shot after committing a foul on the floor and Stoudemire himself complaining about being called for a loose-ball foul shortly ago.
This doesn’t have anything to do with anything, but it’s worth mentioning: Steve Nash, an 89.2% free-throw shooter, has missed two of three attempts thus far. Phoenix leads 14-13 after Nash follows Ray Allen’s three with one of his own.
Reggie Evans, Go-To Guy?
Posted at 6:15 p.m.
Nate McMillan has discussed lately making opponents pay for not respecting the Sonics power forwards in the post by going to them when there is a matchup. Well, that’s exactly the scenario we find tonight, with the Suns defending Reggie Evans with 6-6 swingman Quentin Richardson (allowing power forward Shawn Marion to defend Rashard Lewis). As a result, the Sonics have gone to Evans twice in the post, resulting in a score and a foul. Evans leads the Sonics in the early going with five points.
Slowing it Down
Posted at 6:10 p.m.
Usually, the Sonics find themselves the more offensively explosive and smaller of the two teams in any given matchup, but that’s certainly not the case against the Suns, who are small up front and vulnerable on the glass and, as you may have heard, are pretty good at getting out on the fast break. As a result, the Sonics will be looking to slow it down tonight.
‘We want to force them to defend and spend some time on the defensive end,” said Nate McMillan.
Equally important, they have to get back and stop the Suns from scoring in transition - something they did an excellent job of in their win at Phoenix. On the whiteboard before the game, transition defense was listed as the Sonics number one priority.
Injury Notes
Posted at 6:05 p.m.
Phoenix’s Quentin Richardson sat out last night’s win over Portland with a hyperextended left knee, but he will play and is in the starting lineup tonight. For the Sonics, Flip Murray is back with the team after missing some time because of a sinus infection.
Signing On
Posted at 5:55 p.m.
Just as there was on Dec. 17 when these teams last met at KeyArena, there’s a feeling that something big is in store tonight as the Sonics take on the Phoenix Suns. You can tell from the number of media in the house - something partially inspired by the presence of British Columbia native Steve Nash - to their dress to the lines that were already forming outside the entrances by the time I arrived more than an hour and a half before game time. These teams have split the season series thus far, each winning at the other’s home court, and tonight is the rubber match with possible tiebreak implications. It should be a dandy, so stay with us all night long and make sure you hit refresh to get the latest.
