NBA Game Summary - Phoenix at Washington

Washington, DC (Basketball News) - Shawn Marion poured in a game-high 28 points to lead Phoenix past Washington, 104-99, at the MCI Center.

Steve Nash had 19 points and 16 assists while James Jones contributed 16 points and seven boards for the Suns, who have won two straight games.

Caron Butler had 22 points while Antawn Jamison added 19 for the Wizards, who had a three-game winning streak halted. Gilbert Arenas finished with 16 points and seven assists in the loss.

Trailing by two points after 36 minutes, Washington opened the final quarter with a 10-0 run, keyed by eight points from Chucky Atkins, to grab an 86-78 lead with around 7 1/2 minutes left in the game.

Phoenix, though, closed within four points moments later on Raja Bell’s basket and continued to creep closer, as Marion’s three-point play with 2:50 left brought the Suns within 95-94.

After each team then scored twice, Arenas missed a jumper and Phoenix was able to take a one-point lead on Nash’s hoop with 1:11 left. A series of turnovers then ensued, and after Arenas had a shot blocked, Marion converted an alley- oop dunk on a pass from Nash to widen the Suns edge to 102-99 with 25.4 seconds remaining in the game.

Arenas then missed a three, but Phoenix’s Boris Diaw was called for a loose- ball foul with 20.1 seconds to go. However, the Wizards could not take advantage of the extra possession, as Butler missed a three-pointer.

Nash was then fouled and made both shots to seal the win for the Suns, who closed the game on a 16-4 run.

Phoenix led 28-24 after one quarter and the teams went into the intermission knotted at 50 apiece.

The Suns then outscored Washington by two points in the third period and took a 78-76 edge into the final stanza.