Stoudemire paces Suns past Sixers

Leandro Barbosa added a game-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and five steals for the Suns, who won their second straight game despite playing without reigning league MVP Steve Nash.

The All-Star point guard was sidelined with back spasms, but the Phoenix offense barely missed a beat.

Marcus Banks chipped in with a season-high 17 points off the bench while Raja Bell netted 15 for the Suns.

Allen Iverson dropped in 23 points, dished out eight assists and had five steals for the slumping Sixers, who have lost four of five. Willie Green added a season-high 20 points while Andre Iguodala contributed 14.

The Sixers found themselves down by 13 points entering the fourth quarter and were unable to make a run at the more talented Suns. A twisting Banks reverse layup ignited the crowd and extended Phoenix’s advantage to 18, 96-78, with 8:22 remaining.

Philadelphia closed to within 11 points when Green connected on a short runner inside the lane with 1:51 to play but never seriously threatened as the Suns coasted to the victory.

The Suns sprinted out of the blocks and took a 29-20 edge after the opening 12 minutes. Phoenix shot 52 percent from the floor in the quarter and had 11 fast-break points to just two for the Sixers.

A pair of Banks free throws extended the Suns lead to 15, 47-32, midway through the second quarter before Philadelphia finally awoke. Iguodala capped a 16-0 run with a driving dunk that gave the Sixers their first lead of the game, 48-47, with 2:26 remaining before the half.

But, the Suns answered strongly and closed the quarter with 12-4 burst to take a 59-52 cushion into the second half.

Phoenix then pulled away from the defensively-challenged Sixers with a barrage of threes in a dominating third quarter. The Suns buried four from beyond-the- arc and led by as many as 19 points before Philadelphia closed the frame by scoring six straight points to make it a 89-76 game.

Game Notes

Philadelphia is now 2-3 on the road this season. The 76ers move on to visit Elton Brand and the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday at the Staples Center... The Suns are 3-2 as the host this season. They now hit the road for a two-game swing. Phoenix is scheduled to visit Utah on Saturday and Golden State on Monday...Phoenix has won five in a row over Philadelphia.