dylanmarsh

While I am inclined to agree with you, despite being a Suns fan, I think the key to this series is Kurt Thomas. He's been injured from the better part of the second half of the season. However, with him in the lineup, it opens up the low post for Diaw and Marion. If the Suns get an effective Thomas back in the lineup, they definitely have shot at beating the Mavs. Of course, it'll be another 6 or 7 game series.

powerclown

Good point...it will be interesting to see if KT can make that difference for PHX if he can return, it will be much needed! PHX has better guards, all they need is that critical inside/post presence. Maybe Amare returns in a pivotal Game 7?

Lockjaw

Wish I would have seen this earlier before the game because what I thought would happen happened.

The Suns don't need a post player. Becauser Dallas' 5s are not offensive threats. If the Mavs had a Duncan type player who was an offensive threat this would not be pretty for Phoenix. But considering Dampier is about as effective offensively as Shawn Bradley he's likely going ot sit for a good portion of the series. He could affect the game around the basket on the defensive end and keep all those easy runners in the lane from being there and even that could be mitigated by the Suns clearing out. But he's an offensive liability. You remove a viable offensive threat from the floor with him in the game. And even if he was able to get the ball deep in the post he probably wouldnt' finish. The worst thing he could do would be to cause a crap load of fouls on the Suns, but since he's a crappy free throw shooter hacking him would be a good defensive strategy. It would be worth a gamble for a quarter if Phoenix is not shooting lights out to feed him or Diop the ball down low in the post to draw some fouls. Phoenix is on a light rotation anyway. Forcing them to go into their bench early would be devastating possibly.

This is going to be a good series but unfortunately I kind of think this favors the Suns because the Suns cause as many match up problems for the Mavs as the Mavs lineup and depth caused for the Spurs.

Too bad Steve seems to never get tired playing with Phoenix like he did with the Mavs. He disappeared late into series with us. If Nash started playing poorly the Suns are finished.

dtheriault

I think one of the biggest problems for people playing the suns is that for most NBA players it's impossible not to play the Suns style.

When the Suns start running and gunning it gets everyone's juices flowing- players are reminded of their high school club ball days or similar all-star games where you just tried to score and bring the crowd to its feet. I think that in a 7 game series a good coach can only convince his players to stay away from the beer for so long then his players find themselves with a beer in their hands and say "wtf" let's go for it.

Plus everyone knows the Suns are small Nash is slow there's no one big down low to stop the drive or get rebounds so how can you help yourself. You've got to try and outscore these guys. (what the other team is thinking, not me.)

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powerclown

Great game.

I thought Dallas took too many (missed) quick shots down the stretch...they carelessly blew a big lead, but this is coming from a guy who has watched the game played at Detroit's speed for a while. Most of the game Dallas owned the paint, but when it mattered, the canuck took it to another level from outside. He was awesome. I still have to wonder how the Suns will survive if/when the shots stop falling -- though depending on the severity of their injuries, I think Dallas will be worse off without Howard. A LOT more fun to watch than the Eastern Finals so far.

maximusveritas

Yep, yet another thrilling finish. Wouldn't have expected anything else.
Devin Harris really changed the game for the Mavs and the Suns need to find a way to stop him. Nash can't stay with him, the help is late, and then they commit silly touch fouls to let him get to the line for the +1. Also, they need to do a better job on the glass, limiting 2nd chance points and just grabbing onto loose balls.
I don't think Kurt Thomas is going to be able to help much in this series. Perhaps a handful of minutes at home, just to get the crowd going. He'll be more useful in the Finals, assuming they get there, so they don't want to rush him back too soon.

Lockjaw

That last part is what happened last year. Everyone here was waiting for them to go cold. Dallas ran that same kind of team out and inevitablely the Mavs would go cold and it would allow the other team to come back or extend on them. But the shots likely are not going to stop falling because the Suns aren't settling for jumpshots. They are attacking the rim and nobody on the Mavs is putting the other guys on the floor for coming in the paint. Dampier would do that. But Dirk isn't going to hammer his bestest buddy Nash. Van Horn doesn't have that kind of mentality. And the other guys like Daniels and Howard just don't play that way. Terry and Harris aren't built to put Marion or that Diaw(sp?) on the floor. The Mavs need to ugly this game up but I don't think they are capable of doing it.

Cross-Over

The heat nearly blew the game to start the 4th, Wade had a terrible three consecutive possessions of a turnover, two missed free throws, and another turnover. Nonetheless, he played an excellent game. The Pistons are known for making #1 options struggle from the field, but Wade is shooting 69% from the field this series, that’s insane. I give the Pistons credit for being a resilient team the last three years. However, that resiliency is well known because they have faced elimination several times since their Championship run. I thought the Heat were clearly the better team last year, and with Wade missing a game and Shaq injured (missed entire first round, just couldn't go full strength) they still went up 3-2. I'm not a Heat fan, and it isn't the Pistons fault that Miami was banged up, but just food for thought.

I love watching the Suns/Mavs series, it’s a shame that Bell is out. Barbosa isn't a bad substitute though, but they need somebody bigger and more physical to match up with Stackhouse and Howard. I think its funny how the broadcasters talk about Dirk adding a postup and 'drive to the bucket' game this year to elevate his overall game. It is simply not true. He has been playing very similarly for the last several years, and the statistics also agree. The key difference is that his team is winning more (Avery Johnson and defense).

Cross-Over

How about Shaq dribbling over half the length of the court to lay it up. What had me laughing was Hubie Brown's commentary on that play.

When Shaq starts to dribble: Hubie> "Here we go"
When Shaq maintains his dribble and is charging the basket: Hubie> "Oh My"
When Shaq lays it up: Hubie> "Wow"

It is not as funny in text, and I am not positive that is what he said word-for-word. If you recorded the game, go back and check it out, funny stuff.

maximusveritas

Shaq needs to do that more often. Who in their right mind would stand in front of a moving Diesel? The Heat are looking good and have to be the favorites to win the whole thing right now.

The Suns have to win tonight and I think they will. Even if they make it through this series though, I'm not sure how much of a chance they'll have against a rested Shaq. They're broken down and stumbling toward the finish. Now we'll really see what they're made of.

powerclown

I hope Hubie will be commentating the Finals...he's good and funny. And you know your series is over when Shaq steals the ball from you and goes on a "fast break" for an uncontested layup. jesus. Miami comes out of the East, as the Pistons are too busy bitching about the coach, the refs, the system and eachother. Meltdown City. I have to admit, Miami is a decent team to watch. That Wade guy is good.

How about Dirk Nowitzki last night? Dallas paid him approximately $150,628 for taking off Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and putting PHX back into the series. Well done, Dirk. So PHX plays an inspired game and its tied up now. This is turning into an interesting series.

maximusveritas

Well, looks like Dirk made up for that day off in a big way. Still, I think the Suns got screwed on the technicals. That completed changed the momentum of the game. It went from a back-and-forth 1 point Mavs lead to a comfortable 5 point Mavs lead on 1 possession. The Mavs probably still would have won without those calls, but it's unfortunate that the game-breaking play was made by the refs and not the players.

It's looking more and more like a Game 7 showdown is on the horizon. Hopefully, Raja Bell can bounce back. He didn't look good in Game 5 and they'll need him if they're going to win this thing.

Miami needs to close things out tonight and I think they will. Shaq will be motivated after being knocked on his ass in Game 5.

Lockjaw

Miami Dallas in the Finals.

Dallas dismantled the Heat in the regular season but Shaq didn't play in one game...think Wade didn't play the other.

Definately will be a good series. Quite looking forward to it. Will have to wait and see how this gets done but I think the Mavs in 7. The keys will be can Avery continue to morph and adjust his team line up to his advantage.

Halx

What's the line on Dallas vs Miami? I'd venture that Dallas are favorites, but not by much.

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powerclown

Dirk just went nuts after his 11 point night off and took over...what a beast. What a luxury it must be to have a guy like that on your team. Don't know what the line is, but I agree - Dallas has to be favored.

On paper, shouldn't it be a blowout? Is Miami really that good of a team? I can't tell yet. They have the 2 great players and a sack full of role players who run hot and cold depending on the weather (Haslem can be dangerous though). It seems Dallas matches up much more favorably top to bottom besides the 5. Dallas' role players are more athletic and consistent than Miami's, the bench is better, they're younger...why shouldn't this be a blowout? Coaching could be a factor, and superstar form could be a factor, and injuries/fatigue. I just don't see how Miami can beat Dallas. I'll go with 6 games.

Been a very, very enjoyable NBA playoffs 2006.

Lockjaw

I'm only giving the Heat a shot because of Shaq. That is it. Dallas has played guys like Wade before and have won. I think if it was just him they could minimize his impact. However Shaq LOVES playing in Dallas. I have no idea why but he does. I'm not too worried about the other mercenaries on their team. Coaching COULD be a factor but I don't think people realize what a talent Avery Johnson is in that area.
Shaq will be the key to the games.

If he starts getting off offensively and keeps the Mavs big men in foul trouble...the games could be close to swing them in Miami's favor in the end. Dallas will not have a widen open shot in the lane like they had against San Antonio and the Suns. If Shaq struggles on the offensive end that means Wade and the rest of the team has to pick it up on the exterior and I think that can play into Dallas' hands. If the Heat aren't hot from outside it could be a simple matter of kind of letting Shaq having his. Shutting Wade down and getting out and running the ball. Miami can not run with the Mavs.

sixate

This has been the best overall playoff run in a long time.

I love that Detroit and San Antonio lost. I hate both those teams. Detroit is way over-rated and I have no clue why they've won so many games over the past few years.

I hope Miami wins just so Shaq can make his point to the Lakers and Kobe, that Shaq is the better player. Anyway, I just can't see Avery Johnson out coaching Pat Riley...... Go Heat.

Hopefully The Cavs can make a few moves to put them over the top.

powerclown

Go ahead and hate the Pistons, but overrated? Really? No clue how they won so many games? Have you been paying attention the last 4 years?
Is this a West thing?

maximusveritas

I like Miami in 6. Shaq is back and even though Dallas has now got some big guys to foul him with, I don't think it's gonna be good enough. It's definitely a great matchup. Great players, great coaches, great cities. Mark Cuban. Yeah, it should be interesting.

inkriminator

i see miami winning in 7. haslem is a good enough athlete to slow nowitzki down and i'd love to see how nowitzki handles alonzo's physicality...i guarantee alonzo puts an elbow in the german's beer mug.

it's an interesting matchup in that the mav's have lots of athleticism and youth, while the heat have experience. should be a fun series.

Lockjaw

Dirk is tough he can handle Zo. The thing is Zo had likely never really played against a guy like Dirk. Dirk is usually not bothered by bigger guys. He has the moves where he can easily put the ball on the floor and drive past them even if they are fairly athletic. It's the smaller quicker guys he has problems with. They get into his body makes it hard for him to dribble past them off the top of the key and it forces him to pull up on them in transition.

Basically it would not be good for the Heat to try and rough Dirk up. Dirk gets those calls now we could see some people being T'd up quickly if they try that.

inkriminator

I can't remember a situation where Dirk has really been roughed up. Bowen was more annoying than anything, he never put a hurt on Dirk that I saw. And I wouldn't expect Zo to guard him much or at all, I'd expect Haslem, but Zo will be on the floor and I want to see how Ze German handles some abuse.

powerclown

From what I've seen of Nowitzki this year (god bless League Pass), he seems to handle abuse fine. Maybe a year or two ago he was soft, but not this year. Just the opposite - he seems to have developed into a real leader, he plays aggressive, plus he's proven he can score almost at will. I agree that he's getting the calls now too.

Who do you all think is more important to their team: Nowitzki or Wade? Which team would be worse off if one of the 2 were injured?

Reese

In my opinion Miami has a very well balanced team. They have great starters but the bench is pretty impressive as well. Dallas killed them 112-76 when they played in February though. I hope they learned something from that game.

The Playoffs have been great this year.

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Gatorade Frost

Man, I was wat ching ESPN today while eating lunch and they had a Red/Blue map of America with opinions on who would win, and 47 states said Miami, 2 said Texas, and Cali was within 2% and was deemed 'undecided'

Ye of little faith.

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Lwang9276

The finals will be pretty intense because who cna guard Dirk yet who can guard Shaq? The Mavs have Diop and (the second best center after Shaq) Dampier who can just hack-a-shaq. Even with that said I ahve to pull for Shaq and D-Wade just because Shaq used to play for the Lakers. James Posey is said to be known for his D lets hope he can stop Dirk.. lol

inkriminator

Nowitzki is definitely more important to his team than Wade is...Miami survived poor Wade performances but the Mav's cannot win without a good showing from Nowitzki.

I think if Miami expects Shaq to pull them through they are going to lose. Diop has shown he can trouble very good offensive players and Shaq is clearly over the hill on his way down. He'll still be a factor but their role players need to step up. I think Wade'll do enough to win the series.

Lockjaw

Crappy game over all. Only Wade and Terry played well. Dirk,Shaq,Howard all played like crap. Hopefully everybody will get into a better rythm on Sunday.

maximusveritas

Finally, a game with some drama. Nowitzki really choked at the end. They probably would have lost anyway, but it was still surprising, especially after Shaq and Haslem hit 2 big ones each. I didn't like the final play call either. If you're going to toss the lob, do it against someone other than Dwayne Wade. I would have rather seen Dirk take a 3 to end it.

powerclown

And what on earth is Nowitzki doing throwing the ball inbounds on the last play of the game? Wouldn't you want your best player - arguably the 3rd or 4th best player in the league - to take the final shot? Come on.

I thought for sure it was going to be 3-0. Dallas looked unstoppable in the 3rd quarter...it was looking like they were going to win by 20. Wade started hitting uncontested shots from everywhere and Dallas stopped shooting. WTF. They just gave it up -- they lost it more than Miami won it I think. Weird but interesting game. Lisa Salters could give Shaq a blowjob on her tippytoes it seems.

inkriminator

lol

it was a good play call, that was just an unbelievable play from wade. Howard was jumping foward while wade was jumping backwards, much harder. If the pass had been just inches higher it would've been a perfect dunk.

Calling a play for dirk might have worked, but he hasn't been shooting spectacularly this season.
Unless Riley can figure out a way to slow the speed of the Mav's, the Heat are done Devin Harris just flew by Wade on Miami's last FG, the heat guards are just too slow too keep up, especially at this stage of the game. Unless Shaq goes in a time machine or Riley shows that he's a genius, the Heat should get ready to enjoy their beaches

bond007

watching Game 5 was like deja vu all over again of the Lakers-Kings series from a few years back. the Mavericks should be winning this series, but the refs just won't let them do it.

jeez, it's almost like a basketball version of the WWE... the NBA has ordained that Miami will win the championship. it's now up to their creative dept. (i.e., the refs) to choreograph the finish!

SAM821

I dont think its the NBA that has ordained that the Heat will win the championship, I think it is Dwayne Wade that is ordaining it so. He is the second coming/reincarnation of a basketball god whose name should never be compared to (M.J.)

Honestly though, if you watched that game, Wade single handedly won the game for the heat (aside from Payton's clutch layup) The ball was in wade's hands the whole 4th quarter and OT. That was by far one of the best basketball games I've EVER seen. Regardless if the Heat one or loss, I would have felt so...

It does suck what happened with the Time out call, though Josh Howard clearly did call Timeout. He was walking to the bench and everything.

bond007

yes, Josh Howard did call the timeout (after the 1st free throw)... there should be no dispute about that.

there's also no disputing that Dwyane Wade has been the best player in the Finals. but, the reason why he looks like the 2nd coming of M.J. is because the refs are treating him like he's M.J. there shouldn't be a double-standard in how they call the game.

but, here's where I fault Dallas. quit leaving it up to the refs. if they're gonna call a foul for the ticky-tack contact... then you might as well get your money's worth! a couple of good, hard fouls in the 4th quarter of Game 3... and the Mavericks would be prepping for their parade.

SAM821

possibly... tonights game will definitly be interesting. Go heat!

HEAT WIN!!! HEAT WIN!!! Its about damn time, I waited a loooooong time for this!

inkriminator

after such a great playoffs, i left something lacked in the final....wayde cemented his reputation as a clutch performer, shaq is clearly over the hill. I dunno, these playoffs peaked with the Western Conf. Finals, maybe even the semi-finals, but as a whole it's a big improvement. My only wish is that somehow the officiating could become less of a factor.

powerclown

Pretty average Finals.

For the record, Miami shot 52 more free throws than Dallas for the series. Crazy. That's 9 more per game than Dallas!

And on top of that, Dallas never made any adjustments to Wade, which after the game 4 Miami blowout, was inexcusable. Wade shot from his same comfort zones on the floor again and again. No double teams, no denying him his shot. (coaches fault?) Too many missed jumpshots, coupled with no driving to the hole were Dallas' main offensive problems (coaches fault?). Not enough passing the ball to Dirk. (coaches fault?)

The only game I credit Miami winning somewhat outright was the final game 6 in Dallas. They looked way, way, way, WAY more hungrier and determined, so I guess they deserved it. The Miami role players, almost to a man, had great games. Would have liked to see a more competetive Finals, but Miami played better throughout (especially defensively) so I guess they deserved it. They definitely had some help from the officials though. This is not a great team, Miami. Dallas lost it, more than Miami won it. They are one and done.

Lakers-PHX series was the best series imo. Loved it!

maximusveritas

Yeah, that Lakers series was amazing. If Phoenix would have gone all the way, it might have been the best playoffs run ever.
Barring some major offseason changes, I don't see much changing next year. The top teams are still going to be San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix in the West and Detroit, Miami, and probably Cleveland in the East.
Phoenix will be the most improved with Amare and Kurt Thomas back, although they'll probably have lose Tim Thomas and a couple others.
I'm looking forward to it.