GAME THREAD #29: Warriors vs. Suns -- Return of the Big Men?

Warriors: 7-21

Suns: 19-11

Tipoff: 7:30 pm

TV: CSN Bay Area

Radio: KNBR 680

Blog Buddy: Bright Side of the Sun

Can it finally be true? Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf are rumored to be coming back for this game against the Phoenix Suns. Oh please, let it be true. Man, would it be nice to see the Warriors get some help in the middle.

The Suns are -3 road favorites in this game, playing on a back-to-back. I'm not surprised, are you? The Suns are playing out of their minds so far this year. And the last time the two teams played, in the second game of the season, the Suns torched the Warriors by 22 in Phoenix. I have a sneaking suspicion the Warriors will play better in this game, though, for numerous reasons: Monta is now in game shape, Curry is no longer playing like a deer in the headlights, Randolph is healthy and coming off a strong game, and Stephen Jackson is gone. And then there's this: the Warriors have lost 7 straight games, and are mad as hornets. And Phoenix is a terrible road team, having lost their last 6 road games. I'm looking forward to a heck of a game.

Jump for some matchup madness and predictions.

Hey, where did you come from?

Matchup Madness:

Assuming Biedrins and Turiaf are back, it will be interesting to see whether Don Nelson elects to play a big lineup, with Randolph at power forward. Nellie said earlier in the season that Randolph wasn't ready to match up against Amare Stoudemire. Is he ready now? I'm guessing that Nellie will guard the rugged Stoudemire with Biedrins and Turiaf.

That would leave Randolph to guard Channing Frye out at the three point line. Or would it? Nellie might be better served starting Vlad Rad (am I really writing this?) against Frye, and reserving Randolph for use against Amundsen off the bench. This would create a definite mismatch in Randolph's favor, and also bring his shot-blocking prowess back into the paint.

Monta should matchup against JRich to start this game. I think this matchup will go solidly in the Warriors favor: Monta has excelled guarding big guards this year, but JRich has no prayer of staying in front of Monta. In the first game these two teams played this season, JRich was serving a suspension, and Barbosa absolutely torched the Warriors. Its my feeling that the longer JRich is on the court, and Barbosa on the bench, the better it will be for the Dubs.

The truly fascinating matchup in this game, in my eyes, will be Curry against Nash. The Master gave the rookie quite a lesson in the last game, putting up 18 pts. and 20 assists. I'm guessing that the outcome will be far more even in this game. Curry has made great strides defensively lately. And in the last few games, he has also finally started to aggressively look for his own shot. I expect him to take it right at the old man, at the insistence of Nellie.

Predictions:

• Warriors fans give Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf standing ovations, and weep in their seats.
• Curry torches Nash for 20+.
• Monta over JRich by TKO, in the third quarter.
• Randolph picks up his third Melted Brain of the season, against Lou Amundsen.
• Corey Maggette gets stoned on a drive against Grant Hill, and stares at the ref.
• Chocolate Rain, Chocolate Rain....
• If Beans and Turiaf both go 15 minutes: Warriors win. Warriors win. THAAA... Warriors win.