Season Record: 1-1

The Suns aren't great these days, but they are still above average. After what happened against the Cavs, there's no way I could predict us to win this game in good conscience. Plus its on the road, where we typically struggle. It will be interesting to see how Al does against Amar'e, because he owns him in the best... but Al obviously is nowhere near 100%


PREDICTION:

Wolves 95 - Suns 107

No reason Sessions and Flynn can't play together in this game. the Suns aren't big in the backcourt.

Wolves 110
Suns 107

- Looks like Phoenix has been starting Channing Frye at the 5 and Amar’e at the 4 (Frye was 6-of-7 from 3 Friday against GS). We’ll need to adjust the starting lineup if that’s the case.

- Regardless of who starts, Big Al should be able to break out of his scoring slump against the laughable interior defense of the Phoenix bigs. I think Robin Lopez is out with an injury, so Al won’t be embarrassed by a Lopez brother this time around.

- Jonny should obviously put up a few points against Nash. If the Suns were smart they’d put Barbosa on Flynn and Nash on Brewer or Gomes. Then Steve would look like a Defensive MVP candidate.

- If we try to run with the Suns, it could get ugly. If we try to slow it down, it will be ugly. I think it’s just going to be ugly all around.

- The Suns aren’t that great, but the Wolves are awful with a sluggish Al and no Love.

- And yes daddy, we need to see Flynn and Sess together in this one.

Prediction:
Wolves 97 – Suns 112

OK .... So, lets break down this Suns team who is currently 2-0 and sitting atop the Pacific Division. Yes this means they have a better record than the Lakers 1-1, and the rest of the so far win-less dismal division: Kings, Warriors, and Clippers. But of course, we are only a few games into the season.

This however does not mean the Suns aren't kicking some serious ass at the moment, and it will take a team effort by the Wolves for this to not remain true after Sunday's game.

Depth Chart:

PG - Steve Nash, Goran Dragic
SG - Jason Richardson, Leandro Barbosa
SF - Grant Hill, Jared Dudley, Alando Tucker
PF - Amare Stoudemire, Luis Amundson, Earl Clark
C - Channing Frye, Jarron Collins

Injured and Sitting Out: Robin Lopez, Taylor Griffin

What to look for: I like the Nash/Dragic vs. Flynn/Sessions matchups. Although Nash has been killing it so for with avgs of 21 ppg, 14 apg, and 3.5 rpg; Dragic has been horrible only giving 7ppg, 3.5 apg, and 1rpg. The advantage here has to be given to Nash because he is hands on my favorite for assists leader this year.

X factor: Jason Richardson's debut after being suspended. Will J Rich go off on the Wolves? Chances are 50/50 for me. I think he will be a little rusty and Brewer can harass him into an avg game. We can't sleep on Barbosa however, hes showing up with avgs of 21 ppg, 2apg, and 2rpg. Advantage again goes to the Suns for me.

Forward Battle: Grant Hill is proving he still has it in this league with avgs of 19 ppg, 10 rpg, and 2 apg. Amare is equally dangerous posting his own avgs of 18 ppg, and 5rpg. The backups don't worry me, but I'm scared they won't need them if we do not get a strong showing from Big Al and a decent game out of Gomes. Advantage once again has to go to the Suns.

Lest we not forget the Big dude who can shoot: Frye busted out of the gate shooting 6-7 3pts against the Warriors and I have not reason to believe that he can't do it against the Wolves. I do however think Hollins has a chance defensively to limit his looks. Advantage: yeah you guessed it ..... Suns.

So, to wrap it up. Its going to be a long or probably horribly fast evening for the Wolves team who has so far not shown that they are ready to run in the Valley of the Suns. Good luck Wolves !!

Prediction: Suns 118 Wolves 99

Very nice and detailed preview Stonelight. Looks like we hit some similar points. Thanks for bringing up J-Rich. I forgot he would be back for this one.

daddyfatsax wrote:
No reason Sessions and Flynn can't play together in this game. the Suns aren't big in the backcourt.

Wolves 110
Suns 107

Daddy, I sense a win here too. Don't know why but do. As far as being a road game, CW, didn't the Wolves have a better record on the road last year than they did at home?

alphamale wrote:
daddyfatsax wrote:
No reason Sessions and Flynn can't play together in this game. the Suns aren't big in the backcourt.

Wolves 110
Suns 107

Daddy, I sense a win here too. Don't know why but do. As far as being a road game, CW, didn't the Wolves have a better record on the road last year than they did at home?

We might have won more road games last year than home games, but we still struggled on the road nonetheless.

We were always the surprise winners against the Suns int eh last couple of years because they had no answer for Big Al. Sadly, Big Al is far and away from his old self so I don't have high hopes... at least our guards look like they can finally keep up with Nash. Hope this is a close game.

Nash has been playing great so far this season and we can't beat them by just giving the ball to AL every possession. I'm going to have to go w/ the Suns but it wouldn't surprise me if we won.

Wolves 103
Suns 112

Phx 119
Wolves 106

This is the game for Ramon to show his stuff. I Flynn was supposedly star struck against Cleveland things shouldn't be much better going against Nash. Hopefully the shooters on this team are good enough to put Ramon's passing to work.

Off topic... I kept hearing people pronounce Sessions first name like "Ra-man" instead of "Ra-moan" in the preseason. Am I crazy?

JZ says we are starting Pecherov. Win or lose, this is a sad day in Minnesota Timberwolves history.

Is it just me or does the Phoenix Suns offense look like a sloppy pick up game at the YMCA.

And the Wolves defense looks the same.

Just realized that Pecherov is the guy from those airlines commercials were the agent is trying to get him signed by anyone who would take them.

A for Effort. Too many 3s by the Suns. I'm starting to really like the way Brewer plays. His jump shot is coming along and as skinny as he is he's not afraid to take it inside too. Keep it going Brewer.