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Duncan, Stoudemire face off as Spurs take on struggling Suns

Nov 8, 2006 - 3:46 PM Phoenix (1-3) at San Antonio (3-1) 8:00 pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Amare Stoudemire dominated Tim Duncan in the playoffs two seasons ago. On Wednesday, the star forwards will meet again for the first time.

In a matchup between two Western Conference favorites, the San Antonio Spurs will take on the struggling Phoenix Suns.

A two-time league NBA, Duncan was impressed with the young Stoudemire when the two faced off in the 2005 Western Conference Finals. Duncan's squad came away victorious, but the veteran superstar had a new low-post foil.

Stoudemire averaged 37.0 points per game in the series, highlight by two 40-point outbursts against one of the best interior defenders in league history. However, the 23-year-old Stoudemire had microfracture surgery on his knee last season and he has not yet returned to form.

Tony Parker had 24 points and 10 assists and Brent Barry added 19 off the bench as the Spurs posted a 105-93 victory over the slumping New York Knicks on Monday. San Antonio led by 19 points in the fourth quarter, but let the Knicks back in the game, as the home team cut the lead to 92-91 with 4:05 remaining.

Duncan and Manu Ginobili scored 15 points apiece for the Spurs, who shot 48 percent (36-of-75) from the field and made 13-of-23 3-pointers.

After making the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season in 2006, the Suns have struggled at the start of this campaign. Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said that Stoudemire might get his first start of the season on Wednesday. The 6-10 forward has yet to log more than 25 minutes this season.

Shawn Marion scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Kurt Thomas added 15 and 12 for the Suns, who shot 44 percent (40-of-91) and were outrebounded, 54-41, in a 114-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

San Antonio won three of the four meetings with Phoenix in 2005-06 and 10 of the last 11 contests at home.