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Dudley helps Phoenix down Memphis

Jan 29, 2012 - 6:01 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Jared Dudley hit the deciding free throws with three seconds left, as the Suns halted a three-game skid with an 86-84 win over the Grizzlies on Saturday.

Dudley finished with 20 points and Steve Nash had 21, six assists and five rebounds for the Suns, who also put the brakes on a three-game home slide. Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Rudy Gay scored 18 for the Grizzlies, losers of three in a row, including the game-tying layup with 24 seconds left. But Mike Conley, who finished with 15 points, was whistled for tripping Dudley at the top of the key, leading to the deciding foul shots. Marc Gasol had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

"Obviously, we had our chances tonight," said Gay. "There's no such thing as moral victories. We just have to figure out how to get it done down the stretch."

The Suns were up 71-62 early in the fourth behind five straight points from Nash, but the Grizzlies, who had trailed by as many as 16 earlier, continued to chip away.

They reeled off a 12-5 run, which was highlighted by six free throws and capped by Gasol's three-point play, to make 76-74. With 1:24 to play, Dante Cunningham tied it at 82, finishing a fastbreak layup off a feed from Conley and Memphis had a chance to go in front after a Gortat miss. But Cunningham was off on a mid-range jumper and Gasol fouled Dudley while fighting for the offensive rebound.

Dudley made both free throws before Gay responded, driving and finishing a contested layup with 23 seconds left. But Conley tripped Dudley as he dribbled across the top of the key, leading to the go-ahead free throws, then air- balled a deep trey as time expired.

"We knew they were gonna make a run," said Suns coach Alvin Gentry. "The last few plays I thought we just gutted it out and found a way to win the game."

The tight finish belied the Suns' dominant start, which saw them hold the Grizzlies to 34 percent first-half shooting en route to a 48-32 lead at the break.

Game Notes

The Suns' three-game home skid was their longest since dropping five straight in Phoenix from March 6-19, 2004...Memphis had won seven straight prior to its current three-game slide and concluded a four-game road trip at 1-3.