Nuggets-Suns Preview

By MATT BROWN
Posted Feb 28 2010 9:02PM

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns don't lose consecutive games very often, but one of them will Monday night.

Based on their recent history in Phoenix, the Nuggets face a tough task trying to avoid that fate.

The Suns look to put a disheartening defeat behind them and continue their home dominance of the Nuggets as the Western Conference powers face each other in the desert.

Phoenix (37-24) has put on an offensive clinic while beating Denver (39-20) nine straight times at home since a 111-96 loss April 7, 2004, averaging 120.0 points and shooting 50.7 percent from the field in those wins.

The Suns were also impressive offensively Sunday at San Antonio - that is, until the final minute. Amare Stoudemire had a season-high 41 points with 12 rebounds and Jason Richardson added 20 points, but Richardson blew a potential game-tying dunk on a breakaway with 41.8 seconds left. Phoenix fell 113-110, snapping a five-game winning streak.

"I don't like to miss dunks, especially in crunch time like that, but it's one of those things that happens,'' said Richardson, a two-time NBA slam dunk contest champion. "You can't do anything about it.''

Steve Nash chipped in 18 points and 11 assists for Phoenix, but he lost his balance and couldn't get a 3-point attempt off in the closing seconds. The defeat cooled a Suns team that had won 11 of its previous 13, improving to 14 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2007-08 season. Phoenix has not dropped consecutive games since falling at Utah and to Charlotte at home Jan. 25 and 26.

It's been even longer since Denver lost two in a row. The Nuggets are 19-8 since a season-high three-game skid Dec. 25-28, but they fell 95-89 on Sunday at the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nuggets were held to 37 second-half points and shot a season-low 35.9 percent overall. Carmelo Anthony led Denver with a modest 21 points before fouling out with 2:13 to play.

At least the Nuggets won't have to wait long for their next crack at a legitimate title contender.

"Toward the end of the season, you need games like this to start firing you up toward a playoff type of consistency,'' coach George Karl said. "I think with teams that have won championships and have been there more consistently, there's more confidence to be able to turn the switch on.''

The Lakers may be the defending champions, but both Karl's club and the Suns have certainly been consistent winners. Phoenix (.669) and Denver (.599) rank third and seventh in the NBA in winning percentage since the start of the 2004-05 season.

These teams have split two meetings in Colorado this season, with the Suns losing 105-99 on Dec. 12 and winning 109-97 on Feb. 3. Anthony's 32-point effort in December stands as the highest-scoring individual performance in the season series.

Anthony, who didn't play in last month's matchup due to an ankle injury that caused him to miss eight games, is averaging 25.0 points in his career versus Phoenix.

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Reserves spark Suns' turnaround against Nuggets

By Mike Tulumello, for NBA.com
Posted Tuesday March 2, 2010 12:49AM

PHOENIX (NBA.com exclusive) -- They're reserves, basketball players who are often known as "energy" types rather than "skill" players.

In general, they are supposed to keep the scoring margin about the same as when they entered.

That wasn't the case Monday night in Arizona, when the Suns' bench turned what looked to be a methodical win by the Nuggets into a surprise blowout by the Suns.

Their names: Goran Dragic, Louis Amundson, Channing Frye and Jared Dudley, who keyed the Suns' 101-85 win.

The Suns' reserves threw up a zone defense that confused the Nuggets.

Gentry said he went to the ploy -- which the Suns use irregularly at most -- because the Nuggets are so adept at scoring against man-to-man defenses.

"It's basically just a soft man-to-man, designed to stop penetration," coach Alvin Gentry said of his zone."

"I can't deny that the zone bothered us," Nuggets coach George Karl said.

"They went zone with their second unit...and they got turnovers, which they're good at converting. For three quarters we play them pretty much the right way, and the one quarter, it kills us."

The Suns' reserves played so well in turning the game in the Suns' favor, that coach Alvin Gentry left them in the game throughout the second quarter while such stars as Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire rested.

The marquee players ended up being highly paid cheerleaders when the Suns outscored the Nuggets by a stunning 33-11 in the second quarter while erasing deficits that reached 13 (37-24 early in the second quarter).

"Those guys really cheer for each other," coach Alvin Gentry said. "That's what makes us a special team."

Stoudemire said, "It was great watching those guys...they did a phenomenal job."

Particularly effective, as he has been in the past against the Nuggets, was Amundson, who grew up near Denver.

He had seven points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 21 minutes.

"I don't know what it is," said Amundson, who was "a big fan" of the Nuggets growing up and now is the clear favorite of fans in Phoenix.

"Maybe it's just good matchups or coincidence."

Frye had 16 points while Dragic had 12 points and four assists in 17 minutes.

Moreover, the Suns outscored the Nuggets by 21 with Frye in the game, 20 with Dragic on the floor. Altogether, the Suns' reserves were plus-62,

Also, Grant Hill had 10 points and eight rebounds while effectively defending Carmelo Anthony, who shot just 7-for-21.

Anthony even missed three of his five free throws.

Stoudemire had 19 points and 10 boards in 27 minutes, while Nash had 11 points and 10 assists in 31 minutes.

For the Nuggets (39-21), Chauncey Billups had 21 points.

Once the Suns assumed command (57-44 at halftime), the Nuggets never cut the lead to single digits.

"It was just tough to get it back going," Billups said.

Both teams were coming off tough, emotional losses to Western rivals the previous day, the Nuggets to the Lakers and the Suns to the Spurs.

"It's a fatiguing time of the season," Karl said, "And we've got some banged-up guys.

"Not having Ty (Lawson) and not having Bird (Chris Andersen) doesn't help. We're a little thin, and they're a good team."

Of Anthony, he said. "I think he's having a little shooting slump.

"He's just got to work himself back into shape and get back in a rhythm from his ankle injury a couple weeks ago."

The Suns (38-24) now have won 12 of their past 15 games.

They've also won 10 straight at home vs. the Nuggets, who haven't won in Arizona since Steve Nash returned before the 2004-05 season.

This season, the Suns now are 5-8 against the league's top five teams: the Lakers, Cavs, Nuggets, Magic and Mavericks.

Their offensive firepower has been enough to carry them easily against the rest of the league (33-16).

They have two games left against the NBA's elite, at home March 12th vs. the Lakers (they're 1-2 against them) and a final game against the Nuggets (they're 2-1) on April 13th.

The rest of their schedule is fairly breezy; 10 of their final 20 games are against teams that are now in lottery position. And 11 of their final 20 are at home.

• Nuggets: Balkman
• Suns: Barbosa

• Nuggets: --
• Suns: Stoudemire

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Officials: #18 Mark Wunderlich, #46 Matt Boland, #75 Eric Dalen
• Attendance: 18159
• Duration: 2:15

Denver Nuggets (48-28)		Phoenix Suns (48-26)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Lopez vs Hilario (Stoudemire gains possession)
	11:34	Stoudemire 3pt Shot: Missed
	11:34	Team Rebound
	11:34	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Hilario Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:21 [DEN 2-0]
	11:09	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:07
Hilario Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (1 BLK)	11:05
Team Rebound	11:05
Hilario Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Anthony (1 AST)	10:56 [DEN 4-0]
	10:42	Lopez Jump Shot: Missed
	10:41	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	10:41 [PHX 2-4]	Stoudemire Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	10:26
	10:25	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Martin Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:18
	10:14 [PHX 4-4]	Hill Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Billups Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:50 [DEN 6-4]
	09:41	Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	09:28
Team Rebound	09:27
	09:26	Richardson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	09:26 [DEN 7-4]
Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	09:26 [DEN 8-4]
	09:08 [PHX 6-8]	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Martin Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	08:46
	08:42 [PHX 8-8]	Hill Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Anthony Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:42
	08:42 [PHX 9-8]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:27 [DEN 10-9]
	08:15	Stoudemire Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Afflalo Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	08:12
	07:59	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:58
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:46 [DEN 12-9]
	07:31	Stoudemire Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	07:31	Stoudemire Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
	07:22	Hill Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Billups Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:07 [DEN 14-9]
	06:56 [PHX 12-14]	Richardson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Stoudemire (1 AST)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	06:38
	06:37	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:29 [PHX 14-14]	Hill Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nash (1 AST)
Billups Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	06:15 [DEN 16-14]
	06:03	Lopez Layup Shot: Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:02
Anthony Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Billups (1 AST)	05:58 [DEN 18-14]
	05:46	Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed	05:33
Martin Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	05:32
Hilario Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Afflalo (1 AST)	05:16 [DEN 20-14]
	04:56	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:53
Billups Jump Shot: Missed	04:48
Martin Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	04:47
	04:46	Lopez Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	04:46	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:46	Hill Substitution replaced by Dudley
	04:46	Lopez Substitution replaced by Frye
Billups Floating Jump shot: Made (10 PTS)	04:31 [DEN 22-14]
	04:14	Stoudemire Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO)
Martin Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hilario (1 AST)	04:09 [DEN 24-14]
	03:54 [PHX 16-24]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Nash (2 AST)
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith	03:38
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed Block: Frye (1 BLK)	03:26
	03:24	Richardson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:20	Martin Violation:Kicked Ball
	03:13 [PHX 18-24]	Nash Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	02:53	Frye Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:53
Hilario Substitution replaced by Andersen	02:53
Billups Free Throw Technical (11 PTS)	02:53 [DEN 25-18]
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	02:39
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	02:37
Martin Putback Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:37 [DEN 27-18]
	02:21	Richardson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
	02:10	Dudley Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Anthony Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	02:03
	01:54 [PHX 20-27]	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Nash (3 AST)
	01:50	Stoudemire Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	01:50	Stoudemire Technical
Anthony Free Throw Technical Missed	01:50
Team Rebound	01:50
	01:50	Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Amundson
Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	01:50 [DEN 28-20]
Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	01:50 [DEN 29-20]
Anthony Foul : Defense 3 Second (1 PF)	01:35
	01:35 [PHX 21-29]	Nash Free Throw Technical (3 PTS)
	01:28	Dudley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed Block: Amundson (1 BLK)	01:19
Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	01:18
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed	01:16
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	01:14
Anthony Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	01:14 [DEN 31-21]
	01:05 [PHX 24-31]	Richardson 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Nash (4 AST)
Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	00:51.9 [DEN 33-24]
	00:35.9	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:35.3
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	00:15.9
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	00:14.9
	00:14.9	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Andersen Tip Shot: Missed	00:14.9
	00:04.9	Nash 3pt Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	00:03.9
End of 1st Quarter
Denver Nuggets (48-28)		Phoenix Suns (48-26)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Martin Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)	11:45 [DEN 35-24]
	11:25	Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	11:23
	11:09	Frye Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	11:09
Team Rebound	11:09
Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:09
	11:08	Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:48	Frye Jump Shot: Missed
	10:47	Dragic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	10:45	Dragic Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	10:43
Andersen Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Anthony (2 AST)	10:32 [DEN 37-24]
	10:26	Team Timeout : Regular
Anthony Substitution replaced by Afflalo	10:26
	10:07	Richardson 3pt Shot: Missed
	10:06	Amundson Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	10:05	Amundson Layup Shot: Missed
	10:04	Amundson Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	10:03 [PHX 26-37]	Amundson Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	09:55
	09:54	Team Rebound
Afflalo Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:37
	09:37 [PHX 27-37]	Frye Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	09:37	Richardson Substitution replaced by Hill
	09:37 [PHX 28-37]	Frye Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Carter Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	09:33
	09:21 [PHX 31-37]	Dragic 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)
Afflalo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	09:00
	08:43	Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	08:42
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	08:21
	08:20	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:09	Amundson Layup Shot: Missed
	08:09	Amundson Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
Afflalo Foul : Personal (2 PF)	08:09
Martin Substitution replaced by Hilario	08:09
	08:09	Amundson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	08:09	Team Rebound
	08:09	Amundson Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:08
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	07:46
	07:45	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Andersen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:33
Andersen Substitution replaced by Billups	07:33
	07:33 [PHX 32-37]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	07:33 [PHX 33-37]	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	07:23
Team Rebound	07:22
Carter Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	07:12
	07:08 [PHX 35-37]	Dudley Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Dragic (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:01
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	06:46
Hilario Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	06:45
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	06:37
Hilario Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	06:36
Hilario Dunk Shot: Missed	06:26
	06:25	Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:07 [PHX 38-37]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Dragic (2 AST)
Billups Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	05:43
Carter Substitution replaced by Anthony	05:43
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	05:43
	05:29	Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed
	05:28	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:27 [PHX 40-37]	Frye Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Dragic Violation:Kicked Ball	05:15
Afflalo 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Billups (2 AST)	05:09 [DEN 40-40]
	04:55 [PHX 42-40]	Hill Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed Block: Amundson (2 BLK)	04:37
	04:35	Amundson Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:32
	04:32	Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:32	Team Rebound
	04:32	Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Hilario Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	04:32
	04:15	Dudley Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	04:15
Team Rebound	04:15
Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	04:15
	04:14	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:57 [PHX 44-40]	Amundson Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Dragic (3 AST)
Afflalo Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	03:57
	03:57	Dudley Substitution replaced by Richardson
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Martin	03:57
	03:57 [PHX 45-40]	Amundson Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)
Hilario Jump Shot: Missed	03:37
	03:36	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	03:32	Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO)
Smith Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hilario (2 AST)	03:27 [DEN 42-45]
	03:02 [PHX 48-42]	Dragic 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Frye (1 AST)
	02:42	Richardson Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Timeout : Official	02:42
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	02:27
Team Rebound	02:27
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	02:27
	02:12 [PHX 50-42]	Hill Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Anthony Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO)	01:47
	01:43 [PHX 52-42]	Dragic Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Richardson (1 AST)
Hilario Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Anthony (3 AST)	01:22 [DEN 44-52]
	01:02	Amundson Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
Martin Turnover : Offensive Goaltending (2 TO)	00:46.5
	00:29.7 [PHX 55-44]	Richardson 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Dragic (4 AST)
Billups Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO)	00:06.8
	00:03.4 [PHX 57-44]	Dragic Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Hill (2 AST)
Smith Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO)	00:00.2
End of 2nd Quarter
Denver Nuggets (48-28)		Phoenix Suns (48-26)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Hilario Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Anthony (4 AST)	11:45 [DEN 46-57]
Anthony Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	11:34
	11:34 [PHX 58-46]	Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	11:34 [PHX 59-46]	Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Billups 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS)	11:25 [DEN 49-59]
	11:08	Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO)
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	10:47
	10:46	Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:36	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	10:35
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	10:20
	10:19	Richardson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:10	Richardson Running Jump Shot: Missed
	10:10	Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Afflalo Foul : Personal (4 PF)	10:10
	10:03	Hill Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	10:02	Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	10:02 [PHX 61-49]	Lopez Putback Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Billups Jump Shot: Missed	09:43
	09:42	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
Martin Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	09:32
	09:32 [PHX 62-49]	Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	09:32	Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	09:31
Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)	09:20
	09:11	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Missed
Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:10
Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed	09:04
	09:03	Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	08:41 [PHX 64-49]	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Nash (5 AST)
Hilario Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	08:22 [DEN 51-64]
	08:10	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Missed
	08:09	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	08:09	Stoudemire Tip Shot: Missed
Hilario Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	08:08
Afflalo Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)	07:59
Billups Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:42
	07:42 [PHX 65-51]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	07:42 [PHX 66-51]	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Hilario Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (2 BLK)	07:26
	07:25	Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:18 [PHX 68-51]	Hill Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Richardson (2 AST)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	07:03
	07:03	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	06:50 [PHX 70-51]	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Nash (6 AST)
Martin Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	06:50
Team Timeout : Regular	06:50
	06:50 [PHX 71-51]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed	06:28
	06:27	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	06:14	Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Afflalo Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (3 BLK)	05:55
Jump Ball Lopez vs Afflalo (Stoudemire gains possession)	05:55
	05:55	Team Rebound
Billups Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:40
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith	05:40
	05:40 [PHX 72-51]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	05:40 [PHX 73-51]	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	05:31
	05:16	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	05:15
Billups Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)	04:57 [DEN 53-73]
	04:38	Stoudemire Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO)
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	04:24 [DEN 55-73]
	04:14	Richardson 3pt Shot: Missed
	04:13	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	04:13	Stoudemire Putback Dunk Shot: Missed
	04:11	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	03:48	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
	03:47	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	03:47 [PHX 75-55]	Richardson Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Anthony 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS)	03:32 [DEN 58-75]
	03:07	Hill 3pt Shot: Missed
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	03:06
Billups 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS)	02:59 [DEN 61-75]
	02:57	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:57	Hill Substitution replaced by Dudley
	02:57	Lopez Substitution replaced by Frye
	02:39	Stoudemire Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	02:38
Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed	02:30
	02:30	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Smith Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:17
	02:17	Richardson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:17	Team Rebound
	02:17 [PHX 76-61]	Richardson Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Billups (3 AST)	02:11 [DEN 64-76]
	01:57 [PHX 78-64]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
	01:36	Stoudemire Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	01:36 [DEN 65-78]
Hilario Substitution replaced by Allen	01:36
Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	01:36 [DEN 66-78]
	01:13 [PHX 80-66]	Frye Running Bank shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Nash (7 AST)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	00:52.9
Martin Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)	00:52.1
	00:52.1	Dudley Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:52.1
Team Rebound	00:52.1
Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	00:52.1 [DEN 67-80]
	00:33.3 [PHX 82-67]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed	00:19.9
Team Rebound	00:18.8
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	00:11.9
	00:10.6	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:02.9
	00:02.9	Nash Substitution replaced by Dragic
	00:02.9 [PHX 83-67]	Frye Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
	00:02.9	Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Amundson
	00:02.9 [PHX 84-67]	Frye Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
End of 3rd Quarter
Denver Nuggets (48-28)		Phoenix Suns (48-26)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:36	Frye Layup Shot: Missed
	11:35	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	11:21	Amundson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hilario (1 BLK)
	11:21	Team Rebound
	11:15	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
	11:14	Amundson Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	10:55 [PHX 86-67]	Dragic Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	10:40
	10:39	Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Allen Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:35
	10:35 [PHX 87-67]	Frye Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	10:35 [PHX 88-67]	Frye Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Allen Layup Shot: Missed	10:20
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:19
Allen Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:19 [DEN 69-88]
Afflalo Foul : Shooting (5 PF)	09:57
	09:57 [PHX 89-69]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (18 PTS)
	09:57 [PHX 90-69]	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (19 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS)	09:35 [DEN 72-90]
	09:09	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:08
	09:08	Amundson Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
Billups Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)	09:00
	09:00	Timeout : Official
	09:00	Dragic Substitution replaced by Nash
	08:43	Frye 3pt Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:42
Afflalo 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Billups (4 AST)	08:27 [DEN 75-90]
	08:08	Amundson Layup Shot: Missed
Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:07
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	08:00
	07:59	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	07:45 [PHX 92-75]	Amundson Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nash (8 AST)
Allen Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	07:45
	07:45	Timeout : Official
Billups Substitution replaced by Carter	07:45
Allen Substitution replaced by Anthony	07:45
	07:45	Amundson Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:43
Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed	07:29
Hilario Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	07:29
Afflalo Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)	07:23
	07:06	Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:05
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS)	06:50 [DEN 78-92]
	06:29	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:28
	06:19	Dudley Substitution replaced by Richardson
	06:19	Amundson Substitution replaced by Stoudemire
Carter Jump Shot: Missed	06:10
	06:09	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	05:54	Frye 3pt Shot: Missed
	05:53	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:5 Def:2)
	05:43 [PHX 94-78]	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Nash (9 AST)
	05:29	Richardson Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	05:29	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:20	Frye Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Hilario Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	05:20 [DEN 79-94]
Hilario Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	05:20 [DEN 80-94]
	04:55	Stoudemire Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
	04:53	Hill Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	04:50	Hill Layup Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	04:49
Smith Step Back Jump shot: Made (13 PTS)	04:39 [DEN 82-94]
	04:19	Hill Turnover : 5 Second Violation (4 TO)
Carter Substitution replaced by Billups	04:19
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	04:01
	04:00	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)
	03:39 [PHX 97-82]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Nash (10 AST)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	03:27
	03:26	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	03:15	Richardson Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed	03:07
	03:06	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:5 Def:4)
Hilario Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:01
Billups Foul : Personal (3 PF)	02:50
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
Hilario Substitution replaced by Allen	02:50
	02:50 [PHX 98-82]	Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
	02:50 [PHX 99-82]	Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	02:34
	02:33	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)
	02:13	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:13
Billups Layup Shot: Missed	02:05
	02:04	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Smith Foul : Personal (3 PF)	01:44
Anthony Substitution replaced by Graham	01:44
Billups Substitution replaced by Carter	01:44
	01:44	Hill Substitution replaced by Dragic
	01:44	Nash Substitution replaced by Clark
	01:44 [PHX 100-82]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 (18 PTS)
	01:44	Richardson Substitution replaced by Griffin
	01:44 [PHX 101-82]	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 (19 PTS)
Graham Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	01:29
	01:29	Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Amundson
	01:12	Griffin Jump Shot: Missed
Graham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:11
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Carter (1 AST)	01:05 [DEN 85-101]
	00:42.9	Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:42.4
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	00:32.9
	00:31.9	Amundson Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	00:24.9	Dragic Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO)
Afflalo Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO)	00:20.9
End of 4th Quarter

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