Shawn Marion scored 29 points and the Phoenix Suns used a barrageof three-pointers to beat visiting Dallas 117-104 Thursday night, allbut ending the Mavericks' chances for the best record in the West.
Tim Thomas added 22 points and Raja Bell 21 -- on 8-for-9 shooting-- to hand Dallas its second road loss in as many nights and seventhdefeat in the last 14 games. Boris Diaw scored 16 and Eddie House 13for the Suns.
The Mavericks trail San Antonio by 1oe games with two to play inthe regular season. If Dallas can't catch the Spurs, the Maverickswould slide to the No. 4 playoff spot in the West.
Despite Dallas' 114-102 loss at Golden State on Wednesday night,the Mavericks' hopes for the best record in the West gained life withthe Spurs' loss at home to Orlando earlier Thursday.
But the Suns made 8-of-9 three-pointers in the first quarter totake a 36-25 and never trailed again. Phoenix made 16 three-pointers -- two shy of its season-high and three short of its franchise record -- in 24 attempts.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 for Dallas.
Phoenix is locked into the No. 2 playoff spot in the conference.
magic 92, spurs 80: Dwight Howard scored 22 points and JameerNelson added 19 as visiting Orlando won its seventh straight game,keeping its slim playoff hopes alive with a 92-80 win over SanAntonio.
Tim Duncan scored 31 points and surpassed the 8,000-career reboundmark with 13 boards.
The Magic (35-44) now are 2oe games behind both the Bulls andPhiladelphia in the race for the final playoff spot in the East.
cavaliers 91, KnICKS 87: Larry Hughes scored 26 points with 13rebounds and Donyell Marshall and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 17 apiecefor Cleveland, which was lifeless for 3oe quarters before stormingback to win its 10th straight at home.
Le Bron James rested a sprained left ankle for the playoffs,missing his first game this season.
Knicks coach Larry Brown became ill and left the bench in thethird quarter. Following the game, the 65-year-old Brown was taken toa local hospital, where he is expected to spend the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment