HoopWatch

I am proud to be a Phoenix Suns fan!

The Suns beat the New Jersey Nets, 161-157, in a classic match which featured two overtimes, 318 points, 34 lead changes, 21 ties, 27 three-pointers and a gigantic showdown between two former teammates, and perhaps two of the best All-time point guards in the game. It was the game for the ages and I expect this one to be featured as one of NBA’s Greatest Games which saw Suns two-time MVP guard Steve Nash and Nets Jason Kidd stamped their class in the history books.

Nash scored a career-high 42 points while dishing out a team-high 13 assists. And Kidd tied Wilt Chamberlain for 78 career triple-doubles. He had 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.

New Jersey ran with Phoenix in this one as both teams raced up and down the court. The biggest lead for the Suns was a 10-point bubble in the first quarter, while the Nets led by as much as only five in the fourth. It was close from start to finish. The “high-tempoed” game showcased 224 shots, 27 three-pointers, 57 fouls and an astonishing low 29 total turnovers.

Vince Carter hit the last four points for New Jersey in regulation via a lay-up and the free-throw line to put the Nets ahead, 133-130 with 5.3 seconds remaining. Carter, who had 31 points on an impressive 13-for-17 shooting, fouled Suns forward Boris Diaw with 4.8 seconds remaining to prevent the Suns from hitting a three-pointer. The Suns shot 17 threes in this one. Nash and Raja Bell each had 6 treys.

Off a timeout, Nash then received the inbounds pass from Diaw, squared off for the shot and made it to tie the count at 133-all with just 2.1 remaining. Kidd’s half court heave completely missed the goal as time expired.

The Nets had a chance to close out the game in the first overtime, but Kidd’s fade-away jumper went in-and-out of the ring.

Nash then took over in the second overtime, scoring nine points and dishing out the killer pass to Diaw who scored the go-ahead basket with 14 seconds remaining, 159-157. Kidd committed the most crucial turnover as the ball hit his left foot off his dribble which was intercepted by Leandro Barbosa. Nash iced the game with two free-throws and knotted the final count.

Shawn Marion had 33 points, 9 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks for the Suns. Center Amare Stoudemire added 23 points and 11 rebounds. Boris Diaw had 16 points and 14 assists! Barbosa also had 16 points, 7 assists and three steals. And Bell also had a notable night, scoring 24 points, with six threes on 6-of-7 shooting for the Suns.

Aside from Kidd and Carter, five other New Jersey players scored in double figures. Richard Jefferson had 25 points, rookie Marcus Williams added 18, Mikki Moore, Eddie House and Nenard Krstic contributed 14, 12 and 10 respectively.

House, the former Phoenix Sun, had his best game of the season. He went 3-of-5 from the field including a perfect 2-of-2 from rainbow country. Before this game, he shot only 1-of-14 for the last two games after coming back from knee surgery. (pics courtesy of yahoonba.com)