Boris Diaw, Raja Bell Key in Phoenix Rout Of Spurs; Stave Off Elimination

Boris Diaw and Raja Bell provided the spark that Phoenix has been missing as they pummelled the Spurs 105-86, and the game was not that close.  The Suns were up by 21 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

They would not blow this lead or be seriously challenged by San Antonio this day.  If you knew that Amare Stoudemire would only score seven points before hand, you would automatically assume that Phoenix would lose, but the Suns played with the desire and precision that has eluded them and refused to fold.

Diaw exploited his match-up with Michael Finley inside and outside (20 points 10 rebounds, and 8 assists), while Raja Bell (21 points in the first half) shot the ball with confidence and thrived in transition as they could not be stopped.  Diaw also played excellent defense on Tony Parker as well who was held in check.  There-in lies the recipe for the Suns to get back in the series.

They found a way to keep Parker from getting to the basket at will.  Also, Stoudemire and Steve Nash can't be expected to carry the whole scoring load and expect to win.  They need to exploit the match-up problems that Diaw creates, and get contributions from Bell and Barbosa in transition, and from being set up by Nash.  That way the Spurs can't fixate themselves on Nash and Stoudemire only.

The other part of the equation is that the supporting cast of Phoenix has to deliver.  Diaw has been inconsistent at best in this series.  Barbosa has lacked confidence at times.  If he, Barbosa, and Bell don't show up in a big way, they can't win.

After a great shooting game three, San Antonio crashed and burned and couldn't hit shots with any regularity.  This is not unusual for the Spurs.  They do have periods where their offensive execution leaves something to be desired.  Their defense usually bails them out because they normally don't give up a lot of points.

The Suns need a repeat performance in game five, in San Antonio.  Diaw, Barbosa, and Bell will have a lot to say about the outcome.  The Spurs are still the better team, and know how to close out a series.  I will take my chances with San Antonio finding their way as opposed to Phoenix's supporting cast playing lights out again.

Popovich will again make adjustments, and it will be interesting to see how Phoenix reacts.  Kudos to Mike D'Antoni for getting his team ready to play, and for putting Diaw on Parker.

Grant Hill sat out game four, and is still ailing.