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Suns fill up on high-octane Diesel to hang 128 on Mavericks

By NBA.com staff reports
Posted Jan 10 2009 9:56AM

Looking to improve their play at home (10-7 before Friday's tussle against the Mavs), the Suns turned to their battle-tested, 18-wheeler: Shaquille O'Neal.

The big man didn't disappoint, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds in just under 27 minutes to help the Suns hammer Dallas 128-100. The Diesel also showed touch at the free-throw line, going 7-for-7.

"If we can package that and become consistent in playing that way, then we'll be on our way," O'Neal said.

Friday's performance was more of the norm this season from Shaq, who with extra rest has managed to average 17.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 59 percent from the field.

As for the perfect night from the line, Shaq had an easy answer: "I changed my form -- I went back to my old high school form."

Friday's Scores
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Check out highlights from all of Friday's action.
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Orlando 121, Atlanta 87
Philadelphia 93, Charlotte 87
Toronto 103, Memphis 82
New Orleans 107, L.A. Clippers 80
Cleveland 98, Boston 83
Houston 98, Oklahoma City 96
Milwaukee 104, New Jersey 102
Miami 119, Sacramento 115 (OT)
Phoenix 128, Dallas 100
L.A. Lakers 121, Indiana 119

Stars of the Night

Chris Bosh, Raptors, shot 11-for-13 from the field en route to 32 points in win over Memphis.

LeBron James, Cavaliers, in addition to 38 points, James added seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks.

Nick Young, Wizards, scored game-high 28 points off the bench in just 27 minutes.

Vince Carter, Nets, came close to triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds.

Chauncey Billups, Nuggets, scored 30 points against Allen Iverson and Pistons.

Dwyane Wade, Heat, another stellar performance with 41 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Mike Dunleavy, Pacers, in just second game of season, scored 22 points in 23 mintes.

Kobe Bryant, Lakers, had big double-double with 36 points and 13 assists while adding seven rebounds.

Shaquille O'Neal, Suns, came up large with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7-for-7 from free-throw line.

Sidelined

Houston's Brent Barry missed Friday's game for personal reasons. ... Ron Artest didn't play for the third time in the last four games with a right ankle injury. ... Detroit G Richard Hamilton (groin) missed his seventh straight game. ... Pistons' Rasheed Wallace (foot) missed his fourth straight game.

Many happy returns

Allen Iverson got a standing ovation at the beginning and a victory at the end. Iverson scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half of his return to Denver, leading Detroit to a 93-90 victory over the Nuggets. It was Iverson's first appearance in the Mile High city, where he spent 11/2 seasons, since being traded to Detroit for Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb on Nov. 3. Billups scored 30 points for the Nuggets.

Vanishing act

The Orlando Magic won their 11th straight home game and put on their most devastating offensive show of the season in routing the Atlanta Hawks 121-87 on Friday night. The Magic starters, led by Hedo Turkoglu's 21 points, were a combined 24-of-39 from the field, including 10-of-13 from 3-point range. The Magic also tied a season high with 16 3-pointers.

C-sick

Cleveland handed the Celtics their second-worst loss of the season and dropped Boston to 2-7 since it started a league-record 27-2.

Quote of the Night

"The day LeBron was drafted made it a tougher place to play." -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers on playing at the 'Q.'

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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