Final
Suns down Clippers
Apr 2, 2011 - 5:48 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Grant Hill led a balanced attack with 19 points as the Phoenix Suns downed the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-98, at US Airways Center.Hakim Warrick had 17 points and 10 rebounds while Jared Dudley added 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Suns, who snapped a four-game slide thanks to six players posting double-digits in points.
"I thought that we had good ball movement," said Dudley. "I thought we were aggressive and under control. I think that we helped each other out defensively, we got turnovers and deflections."
Eric Gordon had 21 points and Blake Griffin totaled 20 points and 13 assists for the Clippers, who have dropped three of four.
"I didn't think we had great energy tonight," said Los Angeles head coach Vinny Del Negro. "We let Phoenix run where they wanted to when they wanted to. We shortcut some things defensively."
The largest lead of the first quarter for the visitors was five when Gordon put in a jumper for a 19-14 lead with just over four minutes left, but the Suns closed the frame on an 11-4 run and Hill's jumper gave the team a 25-23 lead heading to the second.
With the score tied at 32-all, Phoenix went on an 11-2 run for a 43-34 lead when Dudley completed a three-point play with a free throw and Phoenix eventually took a 57-44 lead into the break.
Phoenix continue to run in the third quarter and led by as many as 22 points -- at 78-56 after Hill's three-point play with 4:13 left in the period -- before taking an 88-70 lead into the final frame.
Los Angeles never threatened in the fourth quarter. The Suns led by as much as 25 before cruising the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Phoenix guard Steve Nash sat out the game with flu-like symptoms, and the Suns won for the first time in five games without him this season...The Clippers host the Thunder on Saturday...Phoenix plays at San Antonio on Sunday...Phoenix took three of four from Los Angeles this season and has won 14 of the last 16.
- LOS ANGELES: 98
PHOENIX: 111
Final
Apr 2 12:27 AM - LOS ANGELES: 70
PHOENIX: 88
End of 3rd
Apr 1 11:56 PM - LOS ANGELES: 44
PHOENIX: 57
Halftime
Apr 1 11:08 PM - LOS ANGELES: 23
PHOENIX: 25
End of 1st
Apr 1 10:36 PM - LOS ANGELES: 0
PHOENIX: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 1 10:12 PM
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