Final
Nash lifts Suns over Clippers
Mar 21, 2011 - 3:24 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Steve Nash finished with a game-high 23 points to go along with 13 assists as the Suns topped the Clippers, 108-99, at Staples Center.Channing Frye connected on five shots from three-point range, finishing with 19 points, and Marcin Gortat posted 17 points and 13 rebounds in a reserve role. Jared Dudley added 14 points and six rebounds while Hakim Warrick added 12 points for the victors.
"I am happy with the way we played," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "We were able to take away some of their plays. All and all our defense was good today."
The Suns have now won consecutive games and 10 of their previous 11 with the Clippers.
Chris Kaman posted 21 points and 11 rebounds in a starting role, just his ninth of the season. The Clippers reserve center got the start because DeAndre Jordan missed the game with a mild case of pneumonia.
Mo Williams added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Blake Griffin scored 17 before fouling out late in the game. LA has now lost three of four overall.
Leading 81-78 entering the fourth, the Suns started the quarter on an 8-0 run, capped by a Zabian Dowdell jumper just inside nine minutes remaining. The Suns widened their lead to 95-82 just past the mid point on a pair of Warrick free throws and a Gortat jumper.
Griffin fouled out with 4:09 remaining when he was called for a questionable offensive charge. The Clippers forward was also called for a technical after the call for debating the topic with the officials.
Nash connected on the technical free throw, but the Clippers responded with a pair of Williams free throws and a Kaman layup and conversion to get within 98-89. A Frye three a little later pushed Phoenix's advantage back to double-digits, and it never fell below seven down the stretch.
Nash paced the Suns with 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field in the first quarter as Phoenix held a 27-23 lead after 12 minutes.
"He's a heck of a player. He has so many different things he can do on the court," Kaman said of Nash.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the second as Phoenix took a 54-49 lead into the break.
Griffin scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter as the Clippers trimmed the Phoneix lead to 81-78 entering the final stanza.
Game Notes
The Suns will complete a two-game LA road trip against the Lakers on Tuesday; they snapped a three-game skid on the road with the win...The Clippers are 1-2 on a four-game residency that will conclude with a visit from the Wizards on Wednesday...Phoenix was 10-of-22 from beyond the arc, 9-of-20 for the Clippers...Eric Gordon finished with 10 points while Randy Foye scored 13 in a reserve role.
- PHOENIX: 108
LOS ANGELES: 99
Final
Mar 20 5:53 PM - PHOENIX: 54
LOS ANGELES: 49
Halftime
Mar 20 4:37 PM - PHOENIX: 27
LOS ANGELES: 23
End of 1st
Mar 20 4:05 PM - PHOENIX: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Mar 20 3:43 PM
Related News
- Steph Curry Sets Another NBA Record Feb 15
- Should we be worried that people with the Phoenix Suns can “feel the frustration with Durant”? 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
- 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
- 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
- Vogel: “I’m not doing a good enough job in making sure [Eric Gordon]’s involved in the offense” Dec 23
- The Phoenix Suns have gone ice-cold from beyond the arc at a time when they can’t afford to do so Dec 23