• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Nash lifts Suns over Nets in OT

Jan 13, 2011 - 8:00 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Steve Nash scored 10 of his 23 points in overtime as the Phoenix Suns pulled away for a 118-109 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Nash hit eight free throws in overtime and had 16 assists for the game, helping the Suns come back from a 15-point deficit early in the fourth quarter for only their third win in 11 games.

Vince Carter also scored 23, including a key putback ahead of the shot-clock buzzer that gave Phoenix a five-point lead with 1:57 left in overtime. Nash scored six of the last seven Suns points on free throws, icing the game.

"We dug in and just found a way to win," said Suns coach Alvin Gentry.

He was 11-for-11 at the foul line and inched ahead of Mark Price as the NBA's all-time leader in free throw percentage.

Sasha Vujacic scored 19 points off the bench to lead the Nets, including a three-pointer that counted for half of their points in overtime. Devin Harris added 15 points and 15 rebounds in the setback.

The Nets began a four-game western road trip with their eighth loss in nine games. Their trip also includes tilts with the Lakers, Trail Blazers and Warriors -- all while the team tries to negotiate a possible trade for Carmelo Anthony.

Count the Suns among those who might like to see New Jersey pluck Anthony from the Western Conference. The Nuggets star scored 18 points with 10 rebounds in a 132-98 win over Phoenix on Tuesday.

Trying to bounce back, the Suns trailed by 15 after Vujacic's three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. But Phoenix used an 11-0 run to get back into it, pulling within 90-86 after Carter buried a three and Jared Dudley made a foul shot.

Nash missed an easy layup -- he was looking around to pass instead -- but the Suns were still able to take the lead later on two Dudley free throws with 3:43 left.

"They made a run," said Harris. "They're known for their offensive firepower and they ... got the momentum and they made a good comeback on us."

The lead changed hands four more times in regulation and there were five ties. Nash gave the Suns their last advantage in regulation, scoring on a scoop shot in the paint after beating Harris on a crossover dribble.

Harris made up for it, finding Kris Humphries underneath for an easy basket that tied the game at 103-103 with 16.3 seconds left. Harris also stripped Channing Frye on Phoenix's last possession in regulation, sending it to overtime.

Vujacic opened the extra period with a three-pointer, but Nash scored and Frye dunked to give the Suns the lead for good.

Later, Carter was in the right place at the right time for a rebound in the lane, scoring on a putback before the shot clock expired to make it 111-106 Phoenix.

"Whether we won or lost, in the end we fought for it and it was a good win," said Nash.

The teams were tied 28-28 after the first quarter. New Jersey had a 57-55 lead at halftime and was ahead 84-73 heading into the fourth.

Game Notes

Nash has made 48 consecutive foul shots and is at 90.39679 percent for his career. Price, the longtime Cavaliers point guard, finished his career at 90.3895 percent...The Suns won despite being outshot 48 percent to 46 for the game.