RECAP: WARRIORS 124, SUNS 119 -- "MAKE IT RAIN"

by dj fuzzylogic on Mar 30, 2007 1:41 AM PDT in Recaps

Final Boxscore

With Baron's leadership skills, he's able to make plays on and off the court- passing sausage mcmuffins like he was delivering alley-oops!
(Photo by Jeff Carlick/NBAE via Getty Images)

Within the span of 3 minutes in the 4th quarter, I went from singing Fat Joe's "Make it Rain!" to New Edition's "Can you stand the rain" as I witnessed the Warriors typical late game self-combustion. Luckily, team leader Baron Davis would not be denied, securing the win with a steal and go ahead layup with a buck thirty left on the clock putting the Warriors safely up eight points.

Baron taking down Goliath
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

In the first half, the Warriors looked like the "Showtime" Lakers of the eighties, putting up 45 points in the first quarter enroute to a 77 point first half. JRich had 5 threes at the end of the first for 21 points, scoring from deep and a variety of much celebrated post moves. JRich got into the lane with ease making defensive stopper Raja Bell look nothing like the guy that made him a Kobe stopper in the playoffs. His fade away 6 footers in the paint seemed like his uncontestable go-to move, making me wonder if JRich might be developing that killer instinct that Kobe and TMac both have. Really though, why settle for threes when you got those post moves?

What seemed so fruitful in the first half that surprisingly wasn't exploited in the second half was the uneven match ups with Steve Nash and the Suns other speedy but small guards. Commentators Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller both noted that the Warriors repeatedly (and successfully) went to the post (specifically at Nash) with results. It became glaringly obvious that the two time MVP is so effective on offense because, echoing Atma, he only plays "half the game."

Ankles severely broken.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

It seemed inevitable that the Warriors would cool off sometime during the game and costly turnovers nearly transformed this game into one of the biggest comebacks of the season. But, what was reassuring about watching this post-Murphleavy squad is that you can trust them -- for the most part -- to hit open jumpers. Jax came through in the second half, hitting a few deep threes in response to the Suns mini-runs. We can all agree that we prefer them to be more aggressive by attacking the rim and drawing fouls; the free throw disparity was 29 attempts to the Warriors measly 14.

And what about Nellie's starting five tonight with Harrington at the 5 spot? It seemed pretty successful against the Suns a more perimeter oriented team (on offense at least) and it reminded me of the old TMC days when 6'7 Tom Tolbert used to man the middle. Do you think this might be an effective strategy for the next few games or just tonight based on the matchups?

I searched for a Biedrins facial on Nash and Stoudemire, but unfortuntaely, nothing came up. Watching Biedrins take from the top of the key down the middle was frightening but his "tea-bagging" of Nash added to an ongoing theme for the night, which was to take at Nash. Perhaps Nellie's secret plan and background knowledge? Seconds later Biedrins makes an important stop on defense, stuffing a layup leading to an easy bucket at the other end.

"Critics can talk all they want, but we're goin 'to the playoffs," says Jax
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

JRICH, no doubt. The dude was fiyah like Dream Team Chair Sets . Not only did he set a team record of threes in a game, but also grabbed 12 boards too. A little disappointing was the fact that he didn't shoot a single freethrow all game, which leads me to believe that he's still recovering from his injury and taking it slow.

UPDATE: Video Wonders!

"Biedrins WITH A FACIAL!"

Game highlights:

Thanks to namjagerungbengi, monta monta, and nautica for the links.

UPDATE 2: Check out some Suns fans' perspectives on the shoot-out over at SBN brother blog Bright Side of the Sun. Also take a look at FreeDarko's take on the game.

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Comments

not to be lost in the shuffle

is the fact that we won against a division rival which counts in the tie breaker against the other LA team.

lets all hope that sacramento has some delusions of still making it to the playoffs and actually beat the clippers.

sunday SHOULD be a glorious day.

and yes i did suggest a change in the starting lineup...thank you very much (hiding behind Josh Powell*)

by VonteegoCummings on Mar 30, 2007 2:01 AM PDT reply actions

"sunday SHOULD be a glorious day."

Today is a gloroius day! When I was watching last nights game and saw the aerial photos of the Bay and City and the teams listed as Phoenix and GoldenState it hit me. I realized we live in the GOLDEN STATE! Suddenly not having the better record didn't matter much. But for the twist of fate we could be living in Phoenix, Dallas or Houston instead of our beautifull Golden State.
"From Oakland to Sacktown
The Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down
Give me love! " RIP Tupac

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 30, 2007 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions

did someone ask for a biedrins dunk?

http://www.sendspace.com/file/90s3pm

courtesy of some dude from mm

by the optimus dime on Mar 30, 2007 2:05 AM PDT reply actions

TNT

I can't help but think that the NBA and TNT scheduled this game for national TV to showcase PHX as the superior run-run team of the league against the poser, pretender, copycat, mini-me, Suns-wannabe GSW crew.

In your face NBA/TNT!!!!!!!!!!!!

TNT never had love for the Dubs and doubt them at every turn. It feels twice as nice not only beating PHX on national tv, but also doing it on TNT.

Go Golden MF'n State Warriors!!!

by ssmokinjoe on Mar 30, 2007 5:13 AM PDT reply actions

psihology

-that's the thing about Warriors

TEAM BUILDING CO

by Lat We N Trash on Mar 30, 2007 5:29 AM PDT reply actions

Highlights from last nights game

Biedrins facial included...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1eOK1UT6Mk

by monta monta on Mar 30, 2007 7:25 AM PDT reply actions

that AB facial was an "and-1"

take your pick...Nash or Amare fouling him. 5 words...no respect for the dubs...i know it don't matter now.

by MANUTEs BOLs on Mar 30, 2007 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Thoughts

Not starting Biedrins! That's crazy! That's what I said at the start of the game, man I was wrong. Nellie is a genius. What other coach would have sat his only big man (Biedrins) against a front line of Amare, Marion, and Diaw. That's a serious height and weight disadvantage. It could have severely backfired and it wouldn't work in a 7 game series, but in a single game with so much at stake, pure genius. That's Nellie though, thinking against conventional wisdom. He had such a small lineup that the run and gun Phoenix Suns looked like a walk it up half court offense compared to how fast the Warriors were moving in that first quarter.
JRich was amazing last night, he couldn't miss. He was definitely pumped for the nationally televised game after probably his worst game of the year on Monday. This is why us fans love him. He knows he let us down on Monday, so he took it upon himself to put the team on his back in the first quarter and come out on fire to give us the lead.
The Suns second team can beat some of the bad teams in this league. It wasn't Nash, Marion, and Amare leading the charge in the 4th quarter that cut the 25 point deficit to 6, it was the backups. Barbosa, Banks, Thomas, Diaw, and Jones brought the Suns back. Of course, it was Baron's strip of Banks that sealed the game. With 1 minute left, Warriors up by 6 and the Suns with the ball, Baron stripped Banks for an easy layup to go up 8. Game over. Would Nash have been so careless with the ball at that juncture? Probably not, but D'Antoni went with the guys who brought them back.
In that near 4th quarter collapse, the Warriors reverted back to their old ways. They tighten up and look like a completely different team
If Nellie gets a full training camp with Stephen Jackson, he has all the skills to be a fringe All-Star. He'll never get that recognition but if you look at his skills, he could be right there. He can already defend with the best of them, score around 20/game, and is already a very good passer, but he needs to hit the boards harder. Consistency is the key for him. Bringing that same level of play night in and night out is what's really holding him back. After a full Nellie training camp, Jax next year could average 18-6-6. The scoring could be higher but there's so many of them on this team.
Lastly, this Fri-Sun is going to be crucial. The Warriors play Memphis while the Clips play in Sacramento and in Portland. It makes me want to make the trip up to Sac tonight just to cheer on the Kings. The Clips have been playing much better on the road winning 3 of their last 4. Let's hope the bottom of the Western Conference can help defeat our closest competitor in a back to back. I'm hoping for 2 losses, but I'll take a split. The Warriors have to take advantage of a split and win their game. Just 1 game out, but really, the Warriors have to win this thing outright because most likely the Clips will end up owning the tiebreaker.

by Fantasy Junkie on Mar 30, 2007 9:32 AM PDT reply actions

Great Game

Great Game. Totally loved it. Didn't get home until after 2AM. Worth every second of driving it took to get there and back to watch the game.

by jpgarfunkle on Mar 30, 2007 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

JumboTron

Me and my friend made the jumbo tron in the 4th quarter. That totally topped off his night.

I can say I am turning him into a basketball fan and a big Warriors fan. He is a big baseball guy but I am converting him.

He has been to only 2 NBA games. And both great ones. Against the Nets with Monta's shot at the buzzer and last nights game.

by jpgarfunkle on Mar 30, 2007 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

AMAZING

I missed the first half of the game (unfortunately x12), but here's what I saw in the second half:

Great D from Baron Davis. Whether he was stripping Steve Nash or Marcus Banks, BD was HOUNDING the Suns' PG's. It cracked me up how Nash was complaining about getting stripped by Baron near the half court line and got T-ed up. He had absolutely nothing to complain about. BD's strip of Banks in the 4th and layup sealed the deal. Last night Baron Davis OWNED Steve Nash.
Biedrins dribble/ dunk: I've never seen him look that good. That was Shawn Kemp or Amare-esque right there! I have serious doubts about how great his upside his given horrendous shooting form and clumsy movements, but that was smooth + ferocious (if that makes any sense)!
Rebounding: I thought the Warriors were going to get KILLED on the glass against that imposing Suns' interior. Major props to JRich for the 12 rodmans. That's no easy task against the NBA's best front line.
Shooting: It really was raining game in Oakland. Jason's 8 treys were amazing and Jax's 5 were impressive. Great all around shooting from the Dubs.
Free throws: In a way, the Warriors lucked out big time. How did the Suns only shoot 69% from the charity stripe? On most nights the Suns would have knocked down about 5 more of those FTs. Also, 14 Warrior trips to the Suns' 29 is also a major cause for concern.
Jax with 29-6-7: When he's not making silly turnovers, arguing with the refs, or forcing shots (I know that's a lot to ask), he's an All Star caliber player like Fantasy Junkie noted.
Starting BD, JR, Monta, Harrington, and Jax? Bringing Biedrins of the bench? Nellie's a genius! Give him a lot of credit for always willing to try new things.

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 30, 2007 10:02 AM PDT reply actions

Biedrins dunk

That dunk over Stoudemire and Nash was sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gecuxYF3J8

by nautica on Mar 30, 2007 10:18 AM PDT reply actions

4th quarter issues

i don't want to beat it to death, but this team is flat out horrible in the 4th quarter. unfortunately it's not the first time we've seen it either. i don't know if it's coaching or what, but it seems baron does nothing but pound the ball while the other players stand and watch. that's not the way they built the 20+ point lead, so why do they think it will help them now? and richardson, who was the hottest guy on the floor, shot maybe twice in the 4th quarter. he had 36 points thru 3 quarters, and he shoots twice in the 4th?!?!? that's insane

by AJC3317 on Mar 30, 2007 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

that's not the way they built the 20+ point lead,

"so why do they think it will help them now? and richardson, who was the hottest guy on the floor, shot maybe twice in the 4th quarter. he had 36 points thru 3 quarters, and he shoots twice in the 4th?!?!?"

My guess is they just get tired! Playing that fast for 3 quarters is hard on the lungs and for some reason it's even harder to breath inside than outside. I never got as winded playing football as I did playing basketball. The solution is use more subs and pace the game better.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 30, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

that's true

nellie essentially used a 7 man rotation last night, so they may have been tired. but it's just so wierd to see them free flowing at the end of the third and come out at the beginning of the 4th stagnant. there's no slow deterioration or anything, it just all comes to a halt at the start of the 4th

by AJC3317 on Mar 30, 2007 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions

that's true

by AJC3317 on Mar 30, 2007 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

It was pretty strange not to see

Azubuike at all since that guy is a solid 6th man for us and perhaps in a year still a solid 6th man for us, or a legit starter for someone else.

Getting caught up in the moment in regards to all the crazy scoring, nobody really noticed.

The Warriors starters were playing fresh bench guys on Phoenix who hardly ever get burn since the Suns' starters usually log heavy minutes.

Backwards game all around. Big win. Playoff push through the Clippers pack!

by back2back51s on Mar 30, 2007 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

i am SO glad i went to see this game

the game was great, the crowd was electric!

by The City Warjorz on Mar 30, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

Attended the game...

sat in section 230 with all the passion and the energy. Tix cost 60 bucks but it was all worth it! Loved to beat down the Suns fans sitting there. Biedrins' facial was the highlight along with his ceiling block. Even after Monday, I still believe this team can fly.

by OaktownRajah on Mar 30, 2007 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

Biedrins' facial was the highlight

"along with his ceiling block."

I like when he tried to run into the crowd to avoid the tag, he shoulda just kept going up the aisle!

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 30, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Also at the game...

TNT Commentator Reggie Miller's reaction to the Rubberboy performance was classic. ROFL!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 30, 2007 2:18 PM PDT reply actions

Clips vs Kings

The game tonight is on espn and deserves another open thread. Go norcal.

by SkipT on Mar 30, 2007 3:36 PM PDT reply actions

I went to the game too!

that rubberboy creeps both me and reggie miller out. i sat in section 107 right behind the suns basket in the first half. I made everyone miss free throws by jumping up and down, it was F'ng hilarious. for some reason though by listening to marv and steve on those highlights, I want to watch that game on TNT now...

Rollin into the playoffs like a fat guy rolls into McDonalds!

by duggie25 on Mar 30, 2007 3:37 PM PDT reply actions