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Stoudemire, Suns square off against Jazz

Nov 3, 2006 - 2:58 PM Utah (1-0) at Phoenix (1-1) 9:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) - If Amare Stoudemire sees more minutes, that could mean trouble for the Utah Jazz.

Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns host the Jazz on Friday in their third contest of the season.

After producing just six points in 11 minutes on a road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Stoudemire scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half and played 24 minutes as Phoenix posted a 112-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in its home opener.

Stoudemire could very well get more time on the court if his surgically repaired left knee does not cause any problems.

Shawn Marion scored 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and two-time MVP Steve Nash added 20 and 11 assists for the Suns, who held a 48-30 advantage in paint points.

Utah opened its season with a 107-97 triumph over Houston on Wednesday. Carlos Boozer led the way with 24 points and 19 rebounds and Deron Williams added 18 and 10 assists.

Mehmet Okur scored 17 points and newly acquired point guard Derek Fisher finished with 13 and six assists off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 53 percent (39-of-74) overall.

The Suns have come away victorious in six of the last eight matchups with the Jazz, including three of four last season.