LOS ANGELES, 19 December 2004 — In an early season showdown between the NBA’s top two teams, the Phoenix Suns narrowly proved to be the best of the best.
Joe Johnson had 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Shawn Marion scored nine of his 21 points in a late 14-2 run, rallying the Suns to a thrilling 112-110 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night. Steve Nash collected 21 points and 12 assists, while Amare Stoudemire added 20 points and nine rebounds for Phoenix, (20-3), which became the first team to win 20 games this season. Ray Allen scored 32 points and Rashard Lewis added 25 for host Seattle, (18-5), which blew a seven-point lead in the closing minutes. Phoenix trailed 102-95 with just under three minutes remaining when Marion went on a tear that put the Suns ahead, 109-104 with eight ticks left. After Allen bounced in a 3-pointer to make it 109-107, Nash was fouled and sank both free throws at the other end, pushing the lead back to four. Lewis drilled a 3-pointer with five tenths of a second left, bringing the Sonics to within 111-110.
Pacers 89 Raptors 86: Rookie David Harrison and Jamaal Tinsley each scored 22 points, and Reggie Miller hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 8.6 seconds left, as the Pacers edged the Vince Carter-less Raptors. Jalen Rose had 23 points for Toronto, which dealt Carter to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks.
Grizzlies 89 Nets 84: Jason Williams scored a season-high 27 points, and James Posey sank four free throws in the final 12 seconds as the Grizzlies clipped the visiting Nets. Richard Jefferson paced New Jersey with 26 points.
Spurs 83 Hornets 67: Tim Duncan collected 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Spurs’ 11th victory in the last 13 games.
Rockets 100 Warriors 83: Tracy McGrady had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Yao Ming added 15 points along with a season-high 17 boards, helping the Rockets to the lopsided win. Houston’s Bob Sura finished with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Heat 107 Nuggets 100: Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, and Shaquille O’Neal added 20 as the Heat rolled to its seventh straight win. Andre Miller had 24 points to pace Denver, which lost Carmelo Anthony to left ankle sprain late in the third quarter on a drive to the basket. X-rays were negative.
Wizards 120 Lakers 116 (OT): Gilbert Arenas scored six of his 37 points in overtime and Anthony Peeler nailed a key 3-pointer with 11 seconds left in the extra session as the Wizards edged the Lakers, despite Kobe Bryant’s 36- point, 14-assist, 10-rebound effort.
Knicks 113 76ers 107 (OT): Allan Houston’s 3-pointer with four-tenths of a second left sent the game into overtime, and Kurt Thomas scored six points in the extra session, rallying the visiting Knicks from a 19-point deficit. Stephon Marbury led New York with 27 points, Houston had 15, while Thomas finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Trail Blazers 100 Hawks 84: Zach Randolph scored 23 points, and Darius Miles added 20 as the Trail Blazers broke a two-game slump while extending the Hawks’ slide to four.
Celtics 114 Jazz 106: Gary Payton scored a season-high 27 points, and handed out 11 assists, leading the host Celtics to their third win in the last four games. Carlos Boozer collected 25 points and 12 rebounds in Utah’s ninth loss in the last 11 games.
Timberwolves 113 Clippers 86: Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 29 points, while Kevin Garnett added 28, as the T-Wolves sent the visiting Clippers to their fourth straight loss with their most-lopsided victory of the season.
