Nuggets-Suns Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Apr 13 2010 3:10PM

With neither team able to grab the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns still have plenty of maneuvering to do before they'll know where their respective first-round playoff series begin.

Needing a victory to clinch their second straight Northwest Division title and tie a franchise high in wins, the Nuggets finish their regular season Tuesday night at US Airways Center, where they have lost 10 straight.

Denver (53-28) moved one-half game ahead of idle Phoenix (52-28) and Utah for the No. 3 seed Monday with a 123-101 win over visiting Memphis. The Nuggets, though, were eliminated from contention for the second spot when Dallas won 117-94 at the Clippers. Only the Jazz can catch the Mavericks, but Utah needs to win its final two games and Dallas must lose at home to San Antonio on Wednesday.

With the Mavericks on the verge of securing the second seed, the Nuggets will finish at least in the third spot with a victory Tuesday. A win will match last season's total and give the franchise back-to-back division titles for the first time since its first two seasons (1976-78) in the NBA.

The Nuggets, though, have dropped 10 straight in Phoenix since a 111-96 victory April 7, 2004.

"I thought I won one there recently,'' Carmelo Anthony said Monday. "We'll get one tomorrow, hopefully.''

In the Nuggets' last visit to US Airways Center, they were held to 52 points in the final three quarters and lost 101-85 on March 1.

While Denver is one victory away from securing at least the No. 3 seed, Phoenix could also earn the third spot with a victory Tuesday plus one in Salt Lake City on Wednesday.

"It's a great place to be in," Suns guard Steve Nash said after Sunday's 116-106 win over Houston. "It's going to be a lot of fun Tuesday. We've just got to come out and be solid and focused and play a good game."

Phoenix, winners of 12 of 14 overall, has won its last seven home games by an average of 17.9 points. The Suns are shooting 51.5 percent during this stretch while holding opponents to 42.6.

If the Nuggets can snap their six-year skid in Phoenix, either the Jazz or Suns will fall into the fifth seed and lose home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The return of forward Kenyon Martin has provided a much-needed boost to a Denver team that's played the last 13 games without coach George Karl, who continues to fight throat and neck cancer.

Martin, who returned Saturday after missing 18 games with left knee patellar tendinitis, had eight points, six rebounds, four steals and a block Monday.

"I think his energy, his defensive intensity tonight, especially on (Grizzlies forward) Zach Randolph, that helped us out a lot,'' Anthony said. "That's something that we've been missing.''

Martin, averaging 11.0 points and 9.7 rebounds against Phoenix this season, could need another big effort the way Amare Stoudemire has been playing. Stoudemire, the reigning Western Conference player of the month, is scoring 29.3 points per game with 9.6 rebounds during the Suns' home winning streak.

If Denver loses, it owns the tiebreaker over Utah and would still clinch the division title with one Jazz loss.

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

Suns rout Nuggets to secure home-court edge -- maybe more

By Mike Tulumello, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday April 14, 2010 2:38AM

PHOENIX (NBA.com exclusive) -- All of a sudden, those playoff scenarios for the Suns and Nuggets seem pretty simple.

After the Suns' 123-101 blowout of the visiting Nuggets Tuesday night, the Suns clinched at least a No. 4 playoff seed and the home-court advantage in the first round.

Phoenix can move up to the No. 3 seed by closing out the regular season with a win at the Jazz Wednesday night.

Also if the Suns (53-28) win, the Nuggets will be No. 4 and the Jazz will slide to No. 5.

If the Jazz win, they'll be No. 3, the Suns will be No. 4 and host the No. 5 Nuggets (who finished 53-29) starting this weekend.

"It's a great accomplishment ... a reward for the collective energy we put in this season," Steve Nash (18 points, 10 assists) said of the Suns' wrapping up the first-round homecourt.

This is important. They finished their home schedule by winning eight straight while averaging nearly 120 points (119.8).

As for the season finale against the Jazz, "In some ways, this one is not as important," Nash said. "In some ways, it's a bigger game."

"We're playing to win," coach Alvin Gentry said. "It means something to us."

Then again, who would have pegged the Suns as a 53-win team that would host at least one playoff round?

Coming into the season, they were generally seen, by optimists, as a No. 8 seed. Pessimists figured they'd go about .500 and miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

At the start of training camp, Gentry recalled how the Suns talked of making the playoffs.

With that accomplished, they next set their sights on a No. 4 seed.

Now, "We'll have to re-assess our goals."

Looking ahead, if the Suns could pick their first playoff opponent, you couldn't blame them for choosing these Nuggets.

After all, the Suns beat them 3-1 in the regular season. They've also won the season series for the fifth time in the past six seasons.

And they've won 11 straight at home vs. the Nuggets.

If the Suns win Wednesday night at the Jazz and move up to No. 3, they could well end up playing the Trail Blazers, who hold the tie-breakers for No. 6.

The Trail Blazers beat the Suns 2-1 this season but could be without star Brandon Roy for the postseason.

As for Tuesday night, this was not a time to arrive late.

Nash pointed out that, "Everyone knew the implications," including a raucous home crowd that helped get them off and running.

The Nuggets went with some unconventional matchups, with Arron Afflalo covering the much bigger Amar'e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin taking the much smaller Nash and Chauncey Billups guarding Jason Richardson.

The Suns went wild.

Richardson hit a 13-footer, a pull-up 3-pointer on a fast break and a finger-roll layup. Nash scored on a 17-footer and bombed home a 3-pointer.

And while the Nuggets misfired, the Sun rolled to an 18-2 lead.

"They scored 13 points in the first three minutes? You can't dig yourself a hole like that," said Nuggets acting coach Adrian Dantley.

Later, the Nuggets tried Martin (who didn't play in the second half because of a sore knee), Chris Andersen and Nene on Stoudemire without much success.

Stoudemire shot 10-for-16 for 26 points.

Probably more important than matchups was the fact the Suns were rested and waiting for the Nuggets, who had played the previous night.

In any case, the Nuggets spent the rest of the night playing an impossible game of catch-up.

Only a trio of 3-pointers by the Nuggets' J.R. Smith prevented an early blowout.

The Suns took a 70-49 halftime lead.

The Nuggets made a brief move, as Carmelo Anthony (who had a game-high 29 points) hit a 3-pointer then a mid-range jumper as they cut the margin to 72-59.

But that was it.

Nash fed Stoudemire for a fast break and a three-point play then Channing Frye nailed a trey.

Frye hit two more 3-pointers by the third quarter's end, as the Suns blew out to a 97-70 lead.

They had the win and the homecourt.

"We played well from start to finish," Gentry said. "We played very good defense" in limiting the Nuggets to 42 percent shooting, he said.

The Suns, by contrast, shot 58 percent.

"They couldn't miss," Anthony said.

In particular, Gentry pointed to the coverage of Grant Hill and Jared Dudley on Anthony, who shot 13-for-28.

"If you can limit Carmelo to one point per shot, you've done a great job," Gentry said.

From the Nuggets' perspective, the Suns are "the best running team in basketball," Billups said. "You can't just run and gun; you've to try to execute against a team like that.

"If we do see these guys in the playoffs, our game plan has to change a little bit."

• Nuggets: Butch, Graham, Karl
• Suns: Griffin, Lopez

• Nuggets: Billups, Dantley
• Suns: Gentry

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Officials: #22 Bill Spooner, #39 Kevin Fehr, #71 Rodney Mott
• Attendance: 18422
• Duration: 2:38

Denver Nuggets (53-29)		Phoenix Suns (53-28)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Stoudemire vs Nene (Billups gains possession)
	11:49	Collins Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Billups Jump Shot: Missed	11:33
	11:31	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:10 [PHX 2-0]	Richardson Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	10:52
	10:50	Richardson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:33 [PHX 4-0]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Martin Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:17 [DEN 2-4]
Nene Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:07
	10:07 [PHX 5-2]	Collins Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	10:07 [PHX 6-2]	Collins Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Stoudemire (1 ST)	09:56
	09:52 [PHX 9-2]	Richardson 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	09:32
	09:31	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:22 [PHX 11-2]	Richardson Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:12
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	09:02
	09:00	Collins Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Anthony Foul : Personal (1 PF)	08:45
	08:31	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:29
	08:28	Stoudemire Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	08:14
	08:12	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	08:03 [PHX 14-2]	Nash 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Nene Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	07:54
Nene Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	07:54
Nene Substitution replaced by Andersen	07:54
	07:37	Collins Jump Shot: Missed
	07:35	Collins Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:35 [PHX 16-2]	Collins Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Andersen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:35
	07:35	Collins Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
	07:33	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:33	Richardson Putback Dunk Shot: Missed
	07:31	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:31 [PHX 18-2]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:13 [DEN 4-18]
	06:56 [PHX 20-4]	Hill Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (1 AST)
Billups Jump Shot: Missed	06:42
	06:40	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	06:38	Nash 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Afflalo (1 BLK)
Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:35
	06:32	Collins Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	06:32	Collins Substitution replaced by Frye
Afflalo Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	06:32 [DEN 5-20]
Afflalo Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	06:32
	06:31	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:17	Nash 3pt Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:15
	06:07	Hill Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Anthony Jump Bank Shot: Made (4 PTS)	05:59 [DEN 7-20]
	05:59	Hill Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	05:59	Hill Substitution replaced by Dudley
Anthony Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	05:59 [DEN 8-20]
	05:48	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
	05:48	Team Rebound
Afflalo Foul : Personal (1 PF)	05:48
	05:35	Dudley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Afflalo (1 ST)
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	05:22
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	05:20
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	05:14
	05:12	Richardson Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	05:04 [PHX 23-8]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Nash (2 AST)
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	04:47
Martin Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	04:44
Martin Tip Shot: Missed	04:44
	04:42	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:33	Nash 3pt Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	04:31
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)	04:22 [DEN 10-23]
Martin Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:06
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith	04:06
	04:06 [PHX 24-10]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	04:06 [PHX 25-10]	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Billups Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (2 PTS)	03:49 [DEN 12-25]
Andersen Foul : Personal (2 PF)	03:43
	03:43 [PHX 26-12]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
Andersen Substitution replaced by Lawson	03:43
	03:43 [PHX 27-12]	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	03:23 [DEN 14-27]
	03:16	Stoudemire Layup Shot: Missed Block: Martin (1 BLK)
Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:16
Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	03:13
	02:58 [PHX 29-14]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Anthony (1 AST)	02:43 [DEN 17-29]
	02:23	Nash Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
	02:21	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	02:21 [PHX 31-17]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Lawson (1 AST)	02:09 [DEN 20-31]
	01:53	Stoudemire Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)
Billups 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)	01:48 [DEN 23-31]
	01:33	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:33	Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Barbosa
	01:33	Richardson Substitution replaced by Amundson
	01:27 [PHX 34-23]	Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Barbosa (1 AST)
	01:08	Frye Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	01:08 [DEN 24-34]
Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	01:08
	01:07	Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:56.3 [PHX 36-24]	Dudley Dunk Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Barbosa (2 AST)
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed Block: Frye (1 BLK)	00:40.9
	00:38.8	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:35.8	Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Lawson (1 ST)
Anthony Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Lawson (2 AST)	00:32.0 [DEN 26-36]
	00:25.3 [PHX 38-26]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Martin Jump Shot: Missed	00:01.9
	00:00.1	Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:00.0	Instant Replay - Support Ruling
End of 1st Quarter
Denver Nuggets (53-29)		Phoenix Suns (53-28)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:45	Dudley Jump Shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:43
	11:31	Amundson Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	11:26	Amundson Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Nene Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Anthony (2 AST)	11:14 [DEN 28-38]
Nene Foul : Defense 3 Second (2 PF)	10:57
	10:57 [PHX 39-28]	Barbosa Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)
	10:43	Barbosa Jump Shot: Missed Block: Carter (1 BLK)
	10:43	Team Rebound
	10:43	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Nene Jump Shot: Missed Block: Barbosa (1 BLK)	10:26
Team Rebound	10:26
Anthony Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:20
	10:16	Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:12
	10:12 [PHX 40-28]	Barbosa Free Throw 1 of 2 (2 PTS)
	10:12 [PHX 41-28]	Barbosa Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Lawson Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:59 [DEN 30-41]
	09:46 [PHX 44-30]	Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Barbosa (3 AST)
	09:37	Amundson Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	09:37	Amundson Substitution replaced by Clark
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	09:24
Team Rebound	09:24
	09:24	Barbosa Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
Anthony Substitution replaced by Afflalo	09:24
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Andersen	09:24
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	09:16
	09:14	Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Nene Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	09:07
	09:07	Dudley Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	09:07	Team Rebound
Nene Substitution replaced by Allen	09:07
	09:07	Dudley Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Team Rebound	09:06
Lawson Jump Shot: Missed	08:50
	08:48	Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	08:45	Barbosa Layup Shot: Missed Block: Allen (1 BLK)
	08:44	Barbosa Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	08:42	Barbosa Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
Timeout : Official	08:42
Smith Substitution replaced by Billups	08:42
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	08:25
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:23
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	08:14
Team Rebound	08:13
	08:13	Frye Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Andersen Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:13
Team Rebound	08:13
	08:13	Frye Substitution replaced by Stoudemire
	08:13	Dudley Substitution replaced by Richardson
	08:13	Barbosa Substitution replaced by Hill
	08:13	Team Violation : Delay Of Game
Andersen Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	08:13 [DEN 31-44]
	07:58 [PHX 46-31]	Stoudemire Running Bank shot: Made (12 PTS)
Carter Jump Shot: Missed	07:40
	07:40	Team Rebound
Carter Substitution replaced by Anthony	07:40
	07:40	Jump Ball Stoudemire vs Andersen (Dragic gains possession)
	07:26 [PHX 49-31]	Dragic 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	07:09 [DEN 33-49]
Lawson Foul : Personal (1 PF)	06:56
Lawson Substitution replaced by Martin	06:56
	06:48	Clark Jump Shot: Missed
	06:47	Richardson Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
Andersen Foul : Personal (3 PF)	06:33
Andersen Substitution replaced by Lawson	06:33
	06:18	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Martin Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lawson (3 AST)	06:07 [DEN 35-49]
	05:48	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
	05:47	Clark Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	05:44	Clark Jump Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	05:43
Lawson Jump Shot: Missed	05:36
	05:34	Clark Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	05:29 [PHX 52-35]	Richardson 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Dragic (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:20
Lawson Substitution replaced by Smith	05:20
	05:20	Dragic Substitution replaced by Frye
	05:20	Clark Substitution replaced by Nash
Billups Driving Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)	05:13 [DEN 37-52]
Martin Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:54
	04:54	Richardson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:54	Team Rebound
	04:54 [PHX 53-37]	Richardson Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	04:44
Martin Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	04:42
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	04:40
	04:37	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	04:26	Richardson 3pt Shot: Missed
Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:25
	04:25	Nash Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	04:25 [DEN 38-53]
Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	04:25 [DEN 39-53]
	04:13	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:11
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	04:03
	04:02	Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:57 [PHX 55-39]	Hill Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Richardson (1 AST)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	03:43
Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:40
Anthony Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	03:40 [DEN 41-55]
Allen Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:31
	03:31 [PHX 56-41]	Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
Allen Substitution replaced by Afflalo	03:31
	03:31 [PHX 57-41]	Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	03:13
	03:11	Richardson Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	03:07 [PHX 59-41]	Stoudemire Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Nash (3 AST)
Billups Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	02:49 [DEN 43-59]
Martin Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	02:36
	02:36	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:36 [PHX 60-43]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)
	02:36	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:35
	02:25	Frye Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	02:25 [DEN 44-60]
	02:25	Frye Substitution replaced by Clark
Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	02:25 [DEN 45-60]
	02:07	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
	02:05	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	02:05 [PHX 62-45]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Billups 3pt Shot: Missed	01:53
Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:53
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	01:53
	01:53	Team Rebound
Smith Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	01:53
	01:53	Richardson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:53	Team Rebound
	01:53	Hill Substitution replaced by Dudley
	01:53 [PHX 63-45]	Richardson Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stoudemire (1 BLK)	01:36
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	01:34
Anthony Layup Shot: Missed	01:32
	01:31	Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Dantley Technical	01:30
Billups Technical	01:30
	01:30 [PHX 64-45]	Nash Free Throw Technical (10 PTS)
	01:30 [PHX 65-45]	Nash Free Throw Technical (11 PTS)
	01:19	Jump Ball Stoudemire vs Martin (Nash gains possession)
	01:11 [PHX 68-45]	Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Stoudemire (1 AST)
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)	00:54.0 [DEN 47-68]
	00:54.0	Dudley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Anthony Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	00:54.0
Martin Rebound (Off:3 Def:0)	00:53.6
Anthony Running Bank shot: Made (18 PTS)	00:48.2 [DEN 49-68]
	00:27.1 [PHX 70-49]	Nash Driving Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	00:03.9
Team Rebound	00:03.8
End of 2nd Quarter
Denver Nuggets (53-29)		Phoenix Suns (53-28)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:47	Nash Running Jump Shot: Missed
	11:44	Collins Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	11:43	Jump Ball Collins vs Nene (Stoudemire gains possession)
Petro Foul : Personal (1 PF)	11:28
	11:24	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	11:24
Nene Jump Shot: Missed Block: Richardson (1 BLK)	11:04
Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:02
Nene Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	11:02 [DEN 51-70]
	10:52	Afflalo Violation:Kicked Ball
	10:48	Collins Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	10:31
	10:29	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	10:19 [PHX 72-51]	Stoudemire Hook Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Nash (4 AST)
Billups Jump Shot: Missed	09:58
Afflalo Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:56
Team Timeout : Short	09:52
Nene Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	09:44 [DEN 53-72]
	09:19	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:19
	09:19	Stoudemire Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Anthony 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Nene (1 AST)	09:00 [DEN 56-72]
Anthony Foul : Personal (2 PF)	08:41
	08:33	Nash Jump Shot: Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:31
	08:25	Nash Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:25
Team Rebound	08:25
Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	08:25 [DEN 57-72]
	08:11	Collins Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	08:11	Collins Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Anthony Jump Shot: Made (23 PTS)	07:52 [DEN 59-72]
	07:51	Team Timeout : Regular
	07:51	Collins Substitution replaced by Frye
	07:27	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Missed
	07:25	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:25	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:23
Petro Jump Shot: Missed Block: Frye (2 BLK)	07:07
	07:05	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	07:03 [PHX 74-59]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Nash (5 AST)
Anthony Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	07:03
	07:03 [PHX 75-59]	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 1 (22 PTS)
	06:48	Frye Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	06:35
	06:33	Richardson Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
Afflalo Foul : Personal (2 PF)	06:20
	06:11 [PHX 78-59]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Stoudemire (2 AST)
Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed	05:55
	05:53	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	05:35 [PHX 80-59]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Afflalo Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	05:35
	05:35 [PHX 81-59]	Nash Free Throw 1 of 1 (16 PTS)
Billups Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)	05:24 [DEN 61-81]
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	05:23
	05:14 [PHX 83-61]	Stoudemire Dunk Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Nash (6 AST)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed	04:53
	04:52	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
Anthony Foul : Personal (4 PF)	04:44
Petro Substitution replaced by Smith	04:44
	04:44	Stoudemire Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:44	Team Rebound
	04:44	Hill Substitution replaced by Dudley
	04:44	Stoudemire Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	04:42
Smith Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	04:31
	04:28	Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	04:13	Richardson 3pt Shot: Missed
	04:11	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	04:11	Frye Tip Shot: Missed
Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:10
Anthony Layup Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)	03:58 [DEN 63-83]
	03:44 [PHX 85-63]	Stoudemire Jump Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Nash (7 AST)
Anthony Jump Bank Shot: Missed	03:28
	03:25	Stoudemire Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
	03:17 [PHX 87-63]	Nash Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:13
	03:13	Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Amundson
Afflalo Substitution replaced by Lawson	03:13
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	03:01
	02:59	Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:47 [PHX 90-63]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Nash (8 AST)
Smith 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Lawson (4 AST)	02:31 [DEN 66-90]
	02:09	Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Anthony (1 ST)
Anthony Dunk Shot: Made (27 PTS)	02:06 [DEN 68-90]
	01:44 [PHX 92-68]	Richardson Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Nash (9 AST)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	01:25
	01:23	Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	01:04	Nash 3pt Shot: Missed
Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	01:02
Nene Reverse Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Lawson (5 AST)	00:53.6 [DEN 70-92]
	00:37.2 [PHX 94-70]	Amundson Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (10 AST)
Lawson 3pt Shot: Missed	00:27.9
	00:25.6	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	00:03.0 [PHX 97-70]	Frye 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.1
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Denver Nuggets (53-29)		Phoenix Suns (53-28)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed	11:44
	11:42	Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Smith Foul : Personal (3 PF)	11:30
Billups Substitution replaced by Carter	11:30
	11:16	Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Anthony (2 ST)
Anthony Jump Shot: Missed Block: Amundson (1 BLK)	11:10
Team Rebound	11:09
Anthony Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	11:04
	10:46	Dudley Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	10:45
Lawson Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	10:28 [DEN 72-97]
	10:03	Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Smith (2 ST)
Anthony Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	09:55
	09:51	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
Carter Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:50
	09:50	Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	09:50	Team Rebound
	09:50 [PHX 98-72]	Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Smith 3pt Shot: Missed	09:38
	09:35	Frye Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
Carter Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	09:22
Smith Substitution replaced by Afflalo	09:22
	09:22 [PHX 99-72]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	09:22 [PHX 100-72]	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Andersen Dunk Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Afflalo (1 AST)	09:04 [DEN 74-100]
	09:04	Dragic Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Andersen Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	09:04
	09:03	Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	08:43	Amundson Jump Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:41
Carter Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:35 [DEN 76-100]
	08:17 [PHX 102-76]	Amundson Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Dragic (2 AST)
Afflalo Driving Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS)	08:04 [DEN 78-102]
	07:41 [PHX 104-78]	Amundson Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Dragic (3 AST)
Anthony Layup Shot: Made (29 PTS)	07:27 [DEN 80-104]
	07:11	Dragic Jump Shot: Missed Block: Afflalo (2 BLK)
Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	07:09
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	07:04
Team Rebound	07:04
Timeout : Official	07:04
	07:04	Hill Substitution replaced by Barbosa
Anthony Substitution replaced by Petro	07:04
Andersen Substitution replaced by Balkman	07:04
Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed	07:00
	06:58	Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:47	Barbosa Running Bank shot: Missed
	06:43	Barbosa Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	06:42	Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed
Lawson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:39
	06:36	Amundson Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Lawson Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	06:36 [DEN 81-104]
Lawson Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	06:36
	06:35	Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	06:19	Frye 3pt Shot: Missed
Afflalo Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:16
Lawson Running Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)	06:08 [DEN 83-104]
	05:48 [PHX 107-83]	Barbosa 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Dudley (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:38
	05:38	Frye Substitution replaced by Jones
Lawson Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)	05:28 [DEN 85-107]
	05:28	Dragic Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Lawson Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)	05:28 [DEN 86-107]
	05:14	Dudley Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Carter (1 ST)
	05:13	Dudley Foul : Clear Path (2 PF)
	05:13	Dudley Substitution replaced by Clark
Afflalo Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	05:13 [DEN 87-107]
Afflalo Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:13
Team Rebound	05:13
Lawson Jump Shot: Missed	05:06
	05:04	Jones Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:59 [PHX 109-87]	Amundson Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Dragic (4 AST)
Petro Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Carter (1 AST)	04:47 [DEN 89-109]
	04:32	Dragic Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Carter Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Balkman (1 AST)	04:20 [DEN 91-109]
	04:18	Gentry Technical
Afflalo Free Throw Technical (5 PTS)	04:18 [DEN 92-109]
	04:01 [PHX 111-92]	Amundson Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Dragic (5 AST)
Lawson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Amundson (1 ST)	03:45
	03:35 [PHX 113-92]	Clark Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Balkman Jump Shot: Missed Block: Barbosa (2 BLK)	03:18
Team Rebound	03:18
Carter Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Dragic (1 ST)	03:17
Lawson Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:15
	03:15 [PHX 114-92]	Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	03:15	Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Balkman Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:14
Afflalo Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	03:00
Balkman Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:58
Lawson 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Balkman (2 AST)	02:54 [DEN 95-114]
	02:35	Barbosa 3pt Shot: Missed
Balkman Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	02:33
Carter Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Afflalo (2 AST)	02:29 [DEN 97-114]
	02:11	Barbosa 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:09	Clark Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	02:09	Clark Tip Shot: Missed
	02:08	Clark Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	02:08 [PHX 116-97]	Clark Tip Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Petro Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Afflalo (3 AST)	01:43 [DEN 99-116]
Carter Foul : Personal (3 PF)	01:32
	01:32	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:32	Clark Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:32	Team Rebound
	01:32 [PHX 117-99]	Clark Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Balkman Jump Shot: Missed	01:22
	01:22	Team Rebound
	01:05 [PHX 120-99]	Dragic 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Clark (1 AST)
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	00:51.9
	00:49.9	Jones Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:37.9	Amundson Jump Shot: Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:35.9
Balkman 3pt Shot: Missed	00:28.9
Afflalo Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	00:27.3
Afflalo Reverse Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	00:27.3 [DEN 101-120]
	00:02.8 [PHX 123-101]	Barbosa 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			TNT	National	10:30 pm ET
		--	ASE	Local	10:30 pm ET
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