Bay Area Sports Blogging

As NBA teams are eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, change is inevitable. The Dallas Mavericks lost to the New Orleans Hornets in the first round, and the Mavericks fired head coach Avery Johnson. The Phoenix Suns lost to the San Antonio Spurs, and there is talk going around that Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni could be gone.

Professional sports is all about winning now. If a team can't demonstrate that they can be legitimate contenders, changes will be made. As the coach for the Dallas Mavericks, he hasn't been as productive in the playoffs. Most, if not all, of the Mavericks key players on the 2006 NBA Finals roster and their 66 win season were acquired by their former head coach, Don Nelson. Avery Johnson landed on a good team waiting to explode and that the success of the Mavericks came from brilliant planning by Don Nelson.

The Warriors pulled out a gritty win over the Sixers in their last game on an Azubuike three-pointer in the closing seconds of OT, 100-98. The Warriors' shot was cold in the first half, due to their tired legs and the Sixers tight defense. But in the second half, the team came out with high energy and closed the gap. With the momentum on their side, the game was forced into overtime and eventually won on Davis' kickout to Azubuike for the game-winning shot.

Tonight's opponent is very different from the Philly team the Warriors saw on Saturday. The team can not have a slow start against the Suns, otherwise they will get buried. So, if the Warriors start off 0-for their first ten or so shots, the game is most likely over.

On a different note, Matt Barnes may be back in the lineup. This poses a slight dilemma as one of the rookies must be deactivated to accomodate him. Will it be Wright who has been getting more time as of late or would it be Nellie's pet project, Belinelli? Here's to hoping it will be Croshere.

The lineups are: