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Hill, Nash power Suns past Warriors

Feb 7, 2009 - 8:02 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Grant Hill scored a season-high 27 points as the Phoenix Suns salvaged the back half of a home-and-home series with a 115-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

Hill shot 12-of-17 for Phoenix, which edged ahead of the Warriors in the fourth quarter and used an 29-20 advantage in the final 12 minutes to salt away the victory.

"We came out with great energy. They have been playing well and playing good basketball, so they made a run there. We just fought and fought," Hill said before discussing trade rumors swirling around forward Amare Stoudemire.

"It has been a trying week, couple of weeks and, despite all the stuff that is going on and all the negativity, we came out together and played hard and did what we had to do."

Stoudemire addressed his role on the team.

"I am somewhat of a leader here. I'm not a captain, but that doesn't make me not a leader," he said. "Guys kind of follow my lead, but I just try to play basketball here. I am surrounded by a bunch of veteran guys. So, it is not really on my shoulders to be a leader.

"I definitely want to stay here. This is my foundation, but you know it is business so I want to do best for myself and the Suns wants to do what is best for the organization (from a) financial standpoint. If it was my last game, I want out with a pretty good bang."

The Warriors defeated the Suns in Oakland, California, 124-112, on Wednesday.

Phoenix held a 13-point lead in the first half, but Golden State fought back and took a 64-63 edge in the third quarter on a free throw by Ronny Turiaf.

The Warriors built the lead to 71-66 before eventually falling behind 86-85 at the end of the third quarter.

The final minute of that quarter proved costly as center Andris Biedrins went down while contesting a rebound and was helped from the court. He was taken to a hospital, where X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with a sprained right ankle.

The Suns led 103-101 late in the fourth quarter before Hill hit back-to-back baskets, a layup and dunk, to push the gap to six points.

Steve Nash sealed the win with a pretty fadeaway jumper with 31 seconds left to make it 113-105. He added a similar shot to make the lead 10 on the Suns' next possession after forcing a traveling violation by Corey Maggette.

Jason Richardson scored 25 points for Phoenix, which had all five starters score in double figures. Nash added 19 points and eight assists and was a stalwart on defense.

"We came out and were ready to play," Richardson said. "We didn't want them to do what they did last game."

Richardson also addressed the trade rumors.

"I talked to guys who had their name mentioned and told them you have to just play," he said. "I have been through two trades and know what it is about. It is nothing personal and it happens. I know it is tough for Amare being here for seven years. When you have your name mentioned in serious trade talks, it bothers you."

Stoudemire, who had 19 points and 15 rebounds, focused on the Warriors' style entering the game.

"We had a pretty good idea what they were going to do so we were prepared," he said. "(Coach Terry Porter) called a few plays for me early, and that got me going, and once I get going it is hard to stop."

Maggette scored 25 points and Stephen Jackson added 24 for Golden State.