Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors
NBA, Western Conference, Pacific Division
Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
Monday, February 13th, 2012. 10:30 PM EST
Analysis of the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns, led by PG Steve Nash, were one of the elite teams in the NBA just a few years ago. Nash and PF Amare Stoudemire were a deadly combo, and the Suns were popular picks to win the West. Now Stoudemire is gone and the other key pieces (outside of Nash) have been traded away. The Suns are starting their rebuilding process, and a 12-15 record in 2012 shows this.
Analysis of the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are where the Suns would like to be in 2-3 years. An incredibly young squad with some great pieces built around the draft (mainly), the Warriors have yet to turn their talent into results on the court (going 9-14 on the year so far) but certainly are capable of being on of the better teams in the West given a year or two of experience and one more elite player.
Key Players
Phoenix Suns: Marcin Gortat
The leading scorer, rebounder, and blocks man on the Suns, Gortat will get a favourable matchup against C Andris Biedrins of the Warriors. If Gortat can step up and get 20-15-5 of points, rebounds, and blocks, the Suns will come out of Oakland with a W.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
Curry, the 3rd year PG out of Davidson, was drafted 8th overall in 2009. If it were done again he’d be a top 5 pick for sure. After missing the start of the season with ankle trouble Curry has played very well, averaging 18 points and 7 assists each game this season. A game where he goes 20-10 against the Suns would really help the Warriors win.
Key Statistics
Rebounds:
Both the Suns and the Warriors are in the bottom 5 in the NBA in rebounding, only pulling down about 41 rebounds a game to the league-leading 45. Both squads have an elite big man (Gortat for the Suns, PF David Lee for the Warriors) that can really pull down the ball when needed, and the team that has the rebounding edge in this one will come out on top.
Prediction
The Warriors are one of the higher scoring teams in the league and also have their own version of the big 3, Curry, Lee, and SG Monta Ellis. The Suns counter with Nash, one of the best point guards in the history of the NBA. While this game could swing either way for a variety of reasons, I think that you have to take the big 3 over the elite 1 in this situation.
Prediction = Golden State Warriors: 110 – Phoenix Suns: 90