NBA Game Summary - San Antonio at Phoenix

03.10.2005

Phoenix, AZ (Basketball News) - Amare Stoudemire poured in 44 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 107-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at America West Arena.

Stoudemire made 17-of-22 field goals and 10-of-13 foul shots for the Suns, who have won four straight games and are now tied with San Antonio for the best record in the NBA at 47-14.

Shawn Marion posted 18 points and 17 rebounds in the win, Steve Nash chipped in 11 points and 15 assists, and Leandro Barbosa scored 15 points.

San Antonio played without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, who are averaging 21.2 and 16.2 points per game, respectively. Duncan sat with a right ankle sprain while Ginobili was sidelined with a groin injury.

Tony Parker netted 30 points to lead the Spurs, who had their winning streak halted at five games. Devin Brown chipped in 13 points for San Antonio and Bruce Bowen and Rasho Nesterovic scored 12 points apiece.

Phoenix led 83-80 after three quarters and were able to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game. The Spurs did slice the deficit to just one point on a few occasions in the fourth quarter with the last time coming after Tony Massenburg’s layup made it 93-92 with six minutes remaining.

San Antonio was able to make it a 101-98 game on a pair of Bowen free throws with 2:48 left, but the Suns scored six of the game’s final nine points to seal the win.

The Suns held an 11-10 edge early in the first quarter when they went on a 13-2 stretch to expand their lead to 12 points. Stoudemire scored six points in the run and Marion’s bucket made it 24-12 with 4:18 remaining. Phoenix would hold a 36-24 cushion after one quarter.

Phoenix was able to carry a double-digit into halftime, as it held a 54-44 advantage at the break. Parker led all scorers with 18 points at the half, while Stoudemire paced Phoenix with 17.

The Spurs used a 13-6 stretch to begin the third quarter and make it a 60-57 game. San Antonio would even the score at 66-66 after Bowen converted a three- point play with 5:16 remaining in the third. However, Phoenix wouldn’t let the Spurs take the lead and it was the Suns that held an 83-80 margin after 36 minutes of action.

Phoenix forward Quentin Richardson left the game midway through the first quarter with a mild concussion and didn’t return...The Suns, who are 1-2 against the Spurs this season, have now defeated every team in the NBA this season. The last year the franchise accomplished that was in 1994-95...Phoenix had dropped six straight to the Spurs before tonight’s victory.

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