Suns Finally Beat Depleted Spurs

Despite getting a coveted victory that kept the San Antonio Spurs from sweeping them this season, the Phoenix Suns aren’t likely to get overconfident if the teams meet in the playoffs.

Amare Stoudemire scored 44 points to lead the Suns to a 107-101 victory over the visiting Spurs, who were playing without injured All-Stars Tim Duncan (ankle) and Manu Ginobili (groin).

“I wanted them to play at full strength, to be honest with you,” said Stoudemire.

However, it was still satisfying to the Suns, who stopped their longest current losing streak to one team. Since beating Phoenix in a playoff game on April 27, 2003, the Spurs had won six consecutive regular-season games and two playoff contests against the Suns.

The Suns earned their fourth straight win and stopped San Antonio’s five-game winning streak.

Phoenix Coach Mike D’Antoni said not to read too much into the ragged, tight game.

“They are an NBA team, and it is hard to play those teams,” he said. “They played a small lineup the whole time, and they had nothing to lose.”

Victory wasn’t assured until Stoudemire, who had 13 points in the fourth quarter, dunked for a 105-98 lead with 1:19 to go on a play that began with Steve Nash missing a short jumper. Marion deflected the rebound to Joe Johnson, who shoveled it to Stoudemire underneath.

Just before that play, Tony Massenberg and Tony Parker missed layups that would have gotten the Spurs within three points.

“We definitely ran out of gas in the fourth quarter,” said Parker, who had a season-high 30 points despite going scoreless in the fourth quarter. “It just got harder and harder to make stops and get rebounds.”

Toronto 106, Orlando 96 -- Chris Bosh had 15 points and 15 rebounds and six others scored in double figures at Toronto for the Raptors, who broke the game open with a 20-6 run at the start of the fourth quarter.

Orlando rookie forward Dwight Howard had 17 points and tied a season-high with 20 rebounds for the Magic, which has lost two straight following a three-game winning streak.

Boston 95, Atlanta 91 -- Antoine Walker stripped Al Harrington with 35 seconds left and fed Ricky Davis for the clinching basket at Boston in a game the Celtics never led until the final 3:53.

Paul Pierce had 27 points and Walker added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who moved to 5-1 since reacquiring Walker from Atlanta. Tyronn Lue scored 25 points and Harrington had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta, loser of 23 in a row on the road and 13 straight overall.

New Jersey 86, New Orleans 85 -- Jason Kidd’s rebound of a blocked shot and driving layup as he was fouled with 2.5 seconds left in overtime lifted the Nets at New Orleans.

The Hornets still had a chance to win when rookie J.R. Smith was fouled on a three-point attempt with 1.5 seconds left. But Smith missed the first two free throws, then tried to miss the third but ended up making it off the backboard, allowing the Nets to inbound the ball and run out the clock.

Vince Carter led the Nets with 24 points.

Detroit 92, Golden State 88 -- Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess had 20 points apiece at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Pistons end a three-game losing streak and win their eighth in a row at home. Baron Davis scored 21 for the Warriors.

Chicago 97, Portland 84 -- Eddy Curry had 25 points and the visiting Bulls got their 31st victory, surpassing the 30-win mark for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Portland fell to 0-4 under interim Coach Kevin Pritchard.