Final
Nash, Suns get revenge on Wizards
Jan 24, 2007 - 3:59 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns made sure the Washington Wizards did not end their streak this time.Nash scored 27 points as the Suns raced out to a huge lead en route to a 127-105 rout of the Wizards.
Phoenix, which owns the second-best record in the league, seemingly toyed with the Eastern Conference-leading Wizards.
"I think the first time (against Washington) we had our chances to win," Nash said. "I don't want to make excuses, they were outstanding, but we had a tough day that day busing two hours and three hours of flying in right before the game. And just down the end of the game, especially, we made a lot of mistakes and didn't capitalize. Tonight we were a little sharper for the most part."
"Phoenix is a very good team and a very unselfish team," Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. "They pass the ball well, and Nash is the ultimate playmaker. They played at a high level, one that we did not match."
The Suns, winners of 14 straight, got revenge for an earlier defeat to Washington. The Wizards ended Phoenix's franchise-record 15-game win streak with a 144-139 overtime win on December 22.
Phoenix decided the issue early, racing out to a 41-20 lead after one quarter before stretching its lead to 76-51 at the half. The Suns shot 65 percent (26-of-40) from the floor in the first half while the Wizards only shot 42 percent (16-of-38).
"You always want to, but we definitely were focused on trying to start," Nash said. "I can't sit here and say we drew it up to be up 20 points in the first quarter, that's about as good as it gets. I think we've had a number of quarters like that this season, but it was about as well as we can play offensively."
The 76 points was the second-most the Suns have scored in a half this season. Phoenix poured in 78 in a 137-122 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15.
In the opening quarter the Suns shot 70 percent (16-of-23) from the floor and 67 percent (6-of-9) from 3-point range .
Shawn Marion and Raja Bell added 21 points each for the Suns.
Gilbert Arenas, whose 29.7 points-per-game average is the second-highest in the league, scored 31 points for the Wizards, who had their 10-game home win streak snapped.
"I did hear that they wanted to be the Phoenix Suns of the East," Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire said. "I think there's only one Phoenix Suns and we rest in the West. And that's how it's going to be for a while."
The closest the Wizards got was 109-95 when Antonio Davis sank a layup with 7:22 left in the fourth quarter.
"We kept fighting and got it down to 14 points," Arenas said. "We tried to build on it, but they hit a shot and got two fastbreak layups. It is hard to beat a team that is playing that well."
- NBA
PHOENIX 127
WASHINGTON 105 FINAL
Jan 23 9:14 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 76
WASHINGTON 51 HALFTIME
Jan 23 8:07 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 41
WASHINGTON 20 END, 1ST QTR
Jan 23 7:36 PM
Related News
- Should we be worried that people with the Phoenix Suns can “feel the frustration with Durant”? Dec 26
- Holiday gifts for each of the Wizards Dec 26
- Suns vs. Mavs Final Score: Phoenix continues to struggle, lose 128-114 to Dallas Dec 26
- Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (14-15) vs. Mavs Post Game Podcast Dec 26
- Preview: Wizards meet with the Magic day after Christmas Dec 25
- Open Thread: Mavericks vs. Suns Dec 25
- Game Preview: Struggling Suns face struggling Mavericks in Christmas Day showdown Dec 25
- Stephen’s Study: Scouting Udoka Azubuike’s minutes against the Sacramento Kings Dec 25
- NBA Christmas 2023 Open Thread Dec 25
- The Beal gamble isn’t paying off Dec 24
- Suns Week 9 Stock Exchange: Udoka gives us hope while coaching and three-point shooting do not Dec 24
- Suns Injury Update: Bradley Beal wants to be ready to go for Christmas Dec 23