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Richardson, Suns top T-Wolves to end skid

Dec 16, 2010 - 6:26 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Jason Richardson scored a game-high 29 points as Phoenix stopped a three-game skid by topping Minnesota 128-122 at US Airways Arena.

Grant Hill and Channing Frye both added 21 points and Robin Lopez scored 12 for the Suns, who have won six straight in the series. Steve Nash, Goran Dragic and Jared Dudley each contributed 11 points in the win, while Nash dished out 19 assists.

"It's a win. Right now that's the best thing that could happen to us. We just needed a win," Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said.

Kevin Love finished with a double-double, scoring 23 and grabbing 16 rebounds for Minnesota, which has dropped three straight. Corey Brewer added 20 points and Wesley Johnson and Michael Beasley both scored 17 in the loss.

The Timberwolves have now lost nine straight on the road.

Down five entering the fourth, the Timberwolves opened up the quarter with a 8-3 run capped by a Milicic free throw to tie the game at 94.

Jonny Flynn's three at 6:21 put the Timberwolves up 102-95, but a Dudley jumper on the other end started a 22-6 run for the Suns that stretched into the final three minutes.

Three straight Minnesota baskets cut its deficit to 119-114, but after Hill made two shots from the line, Love responded with a dunk.

After Nash made the first of two from the line in the final minute the Suns were in preservation mode, and Minnesota responded on each Phoenix trip to the line with a field goal. Nash made six free throws in the final 22.9 seconds to ice the victory.

"We just made a bunch of mistakes in our defensive coverage," Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis said. "Whether it was pick and rolls or transition, from the very start of the ball game guys weren't putting their heads down and running back."

Richardson led the Suns with 15 points on 7-of-8 from the field in the first, but Minnesota used a balanced attack to end the quarter down one, 31-30. The game was tied at 56 heading to the half.

Hill scored 10 and Frye added nine as Phoenix took a 91-86 lead into the final stanza.

Game Notes

The win capped a three-game home stand for the Suns (2-1)...Minnesota is now 0-3 on a six-game road trip...The Timberwolves scored 58 points in the paint...Nash was one assist shy of his eighth 20-assist game as a member of the Suns, which would have tied a franchise record...Phoenix won the rebounding margin, 46-39.