NBA Game Summary - Memphis at Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ (Basketball News) - Damon Stoudamire led a balanced attack with 26 points and seven assists, and Mike Miller added 24 points and eight rebounds to power the Memphis Grizzlies to a 115-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns at America West Arena.

Shane Battier contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Pau Gasol added 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Grizzlies, who have won three straight and at 6-3 are off to their best start in franchise history.

Shawn Marion had 23 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Suns, who have lost three of their last four contests. Steve Nash added 17 points and 13 assists, and Leandro Barbosa scored 17 for Phoenix.

It marked another rare home loss for the Suns against the Grizzlies. Phoenix is 17-4 all-time at home against Memphis, but has lost the last two at America West Arena.

The Suns led 32-28 after one quarter, but Memphis used a 20-4 run in the second to go ahead for good. A hook shot by Boris Diaw boosted the Suns to a 44-38 advantage with 8:06 left until halftime. Stoudamire then drilled a three-pointer to begin Memphis’ run and his layup gave the Grizzlies the lead at 45-44 with 6:37 remaining.

A Marion jumper had Phoenix within 50-48, but Memphis ran off eight straight points, with Bobby Jackson nailing two three-pointers to cap the spurt. Jackson finished the night with 16 points.

Nash and Barbosa hit consecutive three-pointers to get the Suns within 58-54 at the half, but the Grizzlies started the third quarter on a 16-4 run. Stoudamire’s fadeaway ended the rally with the Grizzlies comfortably ahead, 74-58 with 7:48 left in the period and it was 86-70 going into the final 12 minutes.

The Suns closed within nine points twice, the last time at 107-98 on an alley- oop jam from Marion off a feed from Nash with 3:21 remaining in the fourth. However, Stoudamire scored the next eight points with a 23-foot jumper and two shots from beyond the arc to seal the victory.