Suns-Nets, 161-157 (2 OT); and the Crucial 2:17 That Decided the Game
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In a game of otherworldly offense, the Suns out-Sunned the Nets 161-157 in double overtime. Phoenix, led by Stevie Wonderful’s 42-6-13 line, shot a ridiculous 52.1% from the floor and a Zen-like 54.8% (17-31) from beyond the arc. New Jersey, always more up-tempo and offensively potent at home, shot an above and beyond the call of duty 56.1% from the floor and 47.6% (10-21) beyond the real man’s line. J-Kidd, coming off a low ebb, 10-point effort two nights ago, came back at Nash with a line that only a consecutive-year-winnin’ MVP could love: 38-14-14. The trip-dub was Kidd’s career 78th, tying him for third with the 10,000 Woman Man, Wilt Chamberlain. Only Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138) have more.
Gazing upon this offensive manifesto it might appear that Phoenix simply gunned down New Jersey. However, beneath the surface, the game turned in Phoenix’s favor in a matter of a little more than two minutes. One poor shot choice, one botched high screen-and-roll defense, followed by Nets coach Lawrence Frank’s critical substitution error led to the Nets’ demise.
With time on the shot clock dwindling, Richard Jefferson received a pass on the right wing. Jefferson decided to back down a taller and longer-armed Shawn Marion. Never looking to pass, Jefferson attempted an awkward 11-foot turnaround jumper, leaving his stunned teammates out of position for the rebound. The only player on the Nets who should be legally allowed to attempt a shot with that degree of difficulty is Vince Carter, and V.C. fouled out just before the end of regulation.
The predictable “clang” of R.J.’s miss was followed by an equally predictable Suns (Steve Nash) defensive rebound. With the ball, Nash and Phoenix set up their stolen intellectual property version of the ancient but ever-effective high screen-and-roll. Boris Diaw brought his defender, Mikki Moore to the top of the key. Nash then brushed J-Kidd off Diaw’s left shoulder. Kidd, knowing Moore had previously aggressively, and with some success, jumped Nash before Stevie Wonderful has a chance to turn the corner, stayed even with Diaw’s shoulder. However Moore, for a reason only the Mescal gods know, stepped far enough outside of Diaw’s right shoulder for Nash to slip between Moore and Diaw. Kidd, waiting for Nash to return, could only look on in dismay as Nash flew uncontested down the lane for an easy layup. With the score now pushed to a 153-147 Phoenix lead, Frank called a Nets timeout.
After Jefferson sunk the second of two free throws and with 2:00 remaining in the 2nd OT, Frank inserted Antoine Wright into the game for Moore. From that moment on Phoenix simply pick-and-rolled Wright into extinction. The first p&r resulted in a short Marion jumper. The second resulted in a Marion layup. The third and most demeaning of all, saw Diaw painstakingly back Kidd 30-feet out on the left wing inexorably down into the lane into a two-foot lay in. All this because Wright, a 6′7″ 210 lb. second-year player from Texas A&M, was clearly confused by the high screen-and-roll.
The decisive play set up like this. Nash and Diaw attempted to set up a screen and roll on the left elbow, but Kidd jumped Diaw’s screen and pushed Nash’s dribble backward. However, to accomplish this, Kidd was forced to switch to Diaw. Wright temporarily surprised Nash with his arm length and pushed the point guard out even further on the wing. The four players ended up stationed 30 feet from the basket on the left wing within three feet of each other. Though Kidd clearly wanted the switch, Wright froze and allowed Nash to figure his way out of this potential trap. Nash took two dribbles to his right, allowed Diaw to turn to Nash and get Kidd on his back. The rest of the Nets defenders, afraid that if they left their man he would cut for an easy hoop, froze and watched helplessly. Nash passed to Diaw, who began his slow death march back down ending in the dagger basket.
The Diaw lay in made the score 159-157 Suns and Frank called a timeout and reasserted Moore for Wright. However, the damage had been done. Kidd now guarded by Marion, dribbled the ball off his leg on the ensuing possession, effectively ending any chance for the Nets to send the game to another OT.
Though the Nets played valiantly without Carter, their primary scorer and off-ball rebounder for nearly two overtimes, the strain of being without their star finally manifested itself in a crucial 2:17 seconds. And the Suns led by the ever-observant Nash took full advantage of the Nets twitch, riding off into the twilight with a hard-earned and memorable road “W.”
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Nash didn't slip through, he MADE that happen, like a laser through butter. He is by FAR the best player in the league at forcing people to draw where he wants them at all times on the court (opponents AND teammates)
When are people who claim to know basketball gonna finally wake up and realize THERE'S a TWO-TIME REIGNING MVP among us??? RESPECT.
The Nets didn't execute when it mattered. They had their chance to end a hot-team playing on a 2 hour time difference and they didn't. Face it.
Hopefully some Celtics fans can pop off tomorrow when they get a dose of "WTF was THAT?" aka the "Phoenix Suns"