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Nash reaches assist milestone as Suns hold on to down Warriors

Feb 8, 2011 - 7:57 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Channing Frye scored 19 points, Grant Hill had 18 and the Phoenix Suns held on for a 104-92 victory over the Golden State Warriors despite nearly blowing a 23-point lead in the second half.

Steve Nash had 14 points and became the 11th player in NBA history to record 6,000 assists with a single team, landing right on the number with 15 helpers.

More importantly, Nash buried one of three Suns three-pointers in the final 4 1/2 minutes to help them keep their heads above water after Golden State drew within five.

Phoenix bounced back from a loss to Oklahoma City last Friday to win for the fourth time in five games.

Monta Ellis had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Warriors, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Golden State fell to 3-4 on a season-long eight-game homestand that finishes against Denver on Wednesday.

The Warriors faced four 23-point deficits in the third quarter, the last one coming when Hill's layup made it 81-58. They pulled within 14 heading into the fourth, then rallied late.

Golden State scored 11 straight points, cutting a 16-point deficit with 8:49 remaining to a five-point deficit with 4:42 left when Ellis knocked down two free throws to make it to 93-88.

"We kept separation for the longest time. At some stage they were going to make some shots," said Suns head coach Alvin Gentry.

But Frye hit a three-pointer, then a jumper on consecutive trips down the court, while Nash and Jared Dudley also drained threes to give the Suns a 104-90 lead with 2:33 left, all but sealing the win.

Phoenix held on despite shooting just 25 percent for 15 points in the fourth quarter. Hill and fellow Suns starter Vince Carter were held scoreless in the period, while Nash's gliding trey at 3:07 was his only basket of the frame.

"Once we got it to a manageable number, they hit quick threes," said a disappointed Warriors head coach Keith Smart.

It won't be long until his team gets another crack at the Suns. The Warriors will travel to Phoenix on Thursday, one day after their lengthy road trip ends.

The Suns took control of this one from the start, shooting 50 percent in the first quarter to run up a 33-17 lead heading into the second. Golden State shot only 28 percent in the frame.

"It was disappointing from the start that they came out better than we did," said Warriors forward David Lee, who had 16 points. "Most nights our shooting is able to save us, but we didn't shoot the ball particularly well."

The Suns carried a 62-45 lead into halftime. Reserve Mickael Pietrus scored all 12 of his points in the period.

Game Notes

Nash celebrated his 37th birthday...The Warriors were trying to match their season-high winning streak. They captured four in a row from January 14-21...The Suns have won four straight and eight of their last nine games against Golden State.