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Tensions mount as Spurs host Suns in Game Three

May 12, 2007 - 12:58 PM Phoenix at San Antonio 8:00 pm EDT Western Conference semifinal Series tied, 1-1

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire accused the San Antonio Spurs of being a dirty team - as if their Western Conference semifinals series needed any more juice.

With tensions mounting, Stoudemire and the Suns will visit the Spurs in Game Three of their heated second-round series.

Playing with six stitches in his nose, Steve Nash collected 20 points and 16 assists and Stoudemire added 21 of his 27 points in the second half for the Suns, who rebounded from a tough loss in the series opener to post a 101-81 victory and tie the series at a game apiece.

But two days after the impressive win, Stoudemire accused Spurs defensive specialist Bruce Bowen of intentionally kicking him in the achilles tendon when he was rising for a dunk in the second half.

Bowen has had a history of run-ins with opposing players and coaches over his rabid defensive style. This season, the hard-nosed guard got in a shouting match with New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas after Thomas accused him of undercutting jump shooters during their landing.

Of all the accusations, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich calls it a "non-issue." However, the stern coach was worried about his team's play after Game Two.

"I thought we were supposed to be the defensive team coming into the playoffs here against Phoenix, but they made us look like novices tonight in that regard," Popovich said. "I thought they maintained aggressiveness, physicality and a pursuit of the basketball for 48 minutes. We gave into that. We didn't maintain it, and the result is as you see it."

Suns coach Mike D'Antoni agreed, saying that his team came out with a different look after a lackluster effort in Game One.

"It seemed like we were quicker and that's what it takes, you can't always play really well in the playoffs," D'Antoni said. "You can't play real pretty sometimes. You have to gut it out and grind it out and it will eventually catch on.

"In the meantime, you have to play every position like it is Game Seven, especially against these guys. These guys will do that and hopefully we are learning to do that."