MC WCF Game 5!!!

34-12 YTD NBA Playoffs (+110 units)

Phoenix +7.5  (10 units)

Under 219  (10 units)

Phoenix burned me like most, when they got spanked in Game 1. I like what Phoenix is doing offensively and defensively right now. The zone although not complex has changed the dynamic of how the Lakers play offense. The zone has managed to limit Gasol's ability to catch and shoot and forcing him to divert the ball because of double teams. The zone defense is legitimate and great change of pace for the Suns from man and has several looks that is giving the Lakers trouble.It also forces the Lakers into jump shooters which only advantages the Suns because it gives them long rebounds and transition opportunities. It also forces the Lakers to take the ball out of Kobe and Gasol's hands it put it in Fishers Odoms and Artests hands to make shots. Artest is a horrid jump shooter, Odom is streaky on the perimeter and so is Fisher. I think we will see a much more focused Suns team that has gained an aire of confidence and comes to compete. The other key factor in this game is the benches, the Suns clearly have the better bench and it showed in Phoenix. I think Game 4 exposed that when given the lead the bench plays uninhibited and much more aggressive whereas the Lakers bench relies on unproven players like Farmar, Brown, Powell who play more individual ball then a cohesive unit. I think both the Phx bench and starters carry the confidence and notion that if they both do their respective parts they can overcome the Fakers. Plus the Lakers are synonymous for becoming complacent in the fact that they can just flip a switch and compete i.e. Oklahoma series where they let the Thunder keep in all their home games. Phoenix covers and possibly wins I may sprinkle a little on the ML

GL to everyone tonight