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Okur's heroics keep Jazz undefeated vs. Suns

Feb 4, 2007 - 6:23 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Mehmet Okur and the Utah Jazz continue to have the Phoenix Suns' number.

Okur scored nine fourth-quarter points, including the go-ahead jumper with five seconds left, as the Jazz posted a 108-105 victory over the Suns, who had their 10-game home winning streak ended.

Okur, who still has an outside chance of making the Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement, collected 29 points and 12 rebounds to help Utah improve to 3-0 against Phoenix this campaign.

"They run all night long, they have three All-Star players. This won was huge, especially on the road," Okur said. "We've bet them three times this season, I think we like the challenge."

"They cause some matchup problems and they are a good team," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You have to be disciplined every time. I'm not worried about it, we need to play well against this team and we haven't done it yet."

Steve Nash made 3-pointer from the key to give Phoenix a 104-103 advantage with 1:06 remaining, but Okur responded with a hook to reclaim a one-point lead for the Jazz.

Boris Diaw split a pair of free throws, tying the game at 105-105 with just 30 seconds to play. However, Okur hit a 19-foot jumper in the lane to beat the shot clock.

"I saw the clock running down and I just wanted to get a quick dribble and pull up," Okur said. "I create my own space and I have confidence in my shot and I took the shot."

"He is not afraid to shoot the ball and everyone on the team knows that and they are not afraid to throw it to him and let him shoot," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.

Phoenix had chance to tie the game once again, but Diaw missed two critical foul shots with two seconds to go.

The Suns (37-10) fell to 1-7 combined against Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah and San Antonio, the elite teams in the West.

Deron Williams had 28 points and 10 assists and Matt Harpring added 12 points off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 50 percent (44-of-87) from the field.

"For a guy who has only played in this league for a year and half as a point guard, not too many of them have that kind of composure and the ability to shoot the ball and make plays like he (Williams) has been able to make," Sloan said.

All-Star Amare Stoudemire collected 28 points and 10 rebounds and Nash chipped in 22 and 10 assists for Phoenix, which shot 53 percent (39-of-73) but surrendered 21 second-chance points.

"I felt great but Utah came out great and we came out a little sluggish," Stoudemire said.

"I think they (Utah) are really good, their style of play, but I am not really concerned," Nash said. "I think we could win the next three games very easily.