The Spurs came into Phoenix winners of 28 straight games when scoring 100 points or more. They leave the Valley of Sun having extended that streak to 29 straight games after defeating the Suns, 114-104.

Both teams started off the game by shooting the ball at a blistering pace before coming back to earth in the second quarter. The Suns, who have been prone to turn the ball over this season, committed none in the first half, heading into halftime with the score knotted at 57 apiece.

However, with center Shaquille O’Neal having to sit in the third quarter with foul trouble and the Suns switching to a 2-3 zone, San Antonio grabbed a hold of the momentum by making 20 trip to the free throw line throughout the period. For the game, San Antonio went to the line 19 more times than Phoenix, scoring 18 more points than the Suns in that category.

The Spurs received a few more chances at the charity stripe than normal when Suns Head Coach Terry Porter introduced his “Hack-a-Bowen” strategy late in the third. Spurs forward Bruce Bowen, who was a mere 2-of-8 from the line this season, calmly sank 6-of-8 free throws during the night to thwart the tactic.

The game really changed in the beginning of the fourth quarter when San Antonio went on an 11-2 run to gain secure control of the contest. Phoenix did battle back, and after a block and a three-point play by Grant Hill to cut the lead to three with 1:06 left in regulation, it seemed as if the Suns had closed the gap. But a long-range jumper by San Antonio’s Tony Parker, an untimely Suns turnover and five straight free throws from guard Manu Ginobili sealed the Suns’ fate.

“In the second half they were a lot more aggressive taking the ball to the basket and they had more free throws in the third quarter than they had in the whole first half,” Porter said. “We could never get Ginobili under control tonight. He was doing whatever he wanted at times.”

Ginobili led all scorers with a season-high 30 points, while also tallying nine rebounds. The crafty guard was able to get to the line and convert on 18-of-18 free throws. Parker was equally as deadly, making the Suns pay on penetrations and pick-and-rolls to the tune of 26 points. Tim Duncan added 20 points and 15 rebounds, but was limited to 6-for-16 shooting from the field.

“They scored at a pretty efficient rate on us and we found shots difficult to come by,” Nash said. “We’ve made improvement offensively, we just have to keep judging ourselves every game. Offensively we’re showing more dimensions and it is making us harder to guard.”

It’s true. Phoenix has scored 100 or more points in 21 of its last 23 games after doing so only 10 times in its first 20 games this season.

In Thursday's contest, the Suns looked to Amar’e Stoudemire, who led the attack with 28 points and 10 boards. Grant Hill also contributed to cause by posting 20 and 10.

Steve Nash was able to locate open teammates, handing out 18 assists to go along with his 16 points. Usually the century mark is a good omen for Nash and Co., but it wouldn't be tonight, as they ran into a San Antonio club that has now won in six of its last seven outings.

Besides the disparity in free throws, the Spurs held an advantage in second-chance points as well. San Antonio outscored Phoenix 17-6 in that area.

Although the loss was disappointing, Stoudemire doesn’t believe that it’s time to press the panic button.

“After a Spurs game we always talk about how well they played,” he said. “It’s time to turn the table.”

The former Rookie of the Year believes the team can overcome any struggles that they’re currently having.

“It’s a matter of still standing together,” he said.” “We might not being playing the best basketball right now, but we have to stay together and cheer our teammates on. We’re not out of the playoffs, we still have a half of a season to play.”

Shaq Named All-Star Reserve

Everyone already knew that Stoudemire was voted in as a starter for the upcoming All-Star Game in Phoenix, but now he will joined by his frontcourt pal, Shaquille O’Neal. Before Thursday’s contest, “The Big Cactus” was named a reserve for the West by the coaches in the Western Conference.

Shaq was among seven reserves chosen by the coaches, including the Nuggets' Chauncey Billups, the Lakers' Pau Gasol, the Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki, the Spurs' Tony Parker, the Blazers' Brandon Roy and the Hornets' David West. The coaches were asked to vote for two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position in their respective conferences. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.

For O’Neal, it’s the 15th time in his hallowed career that he’s been either voted in or named as an All-Star. Shaq’s 15 selections are the most among active players and he trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA-record 19 career selections for the most ever.

“He just continues to add to his legacy,” Porter said. “He’s played well and done some good things during this stretch to really earn that and I think opposing coaches have seen that and rewarded him with that.”

Suns Continue to Shine

The accolades continue to pile for O’Neal, who passed Hakeem Olajuwon for seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The Diesel now only ranks behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Elvin Hayes. His goal is to surpass Moses Malone before he’s finished.

Nash is also further etching himself into the record books – this time – at his coach’s expense. The Suns floor leader passed Terry Porter for 11th on league’s all-time assist list after dishing out 18 dimes Thursday.

Before the game, Porter joked that he might have to take measures into his own hands to stop Nash.

“I’m going to hold him out,” he joked. “You’re going to see some questionable substitute patterns tonight. When he gets about four or five assists I’m going to call timeout and sit him down for a couple of possessions.”

Nash, as usual, was more concerned about the game than his accomplishment.

“It’s not something you really think about, but to be on a list of all those players that you admire so much is a fantastic accomplishment," he said.

The two-time MVP has been racking up a plethora of double-digit assist games recently, recording 10 or more assists in 10 of his last 14 games. In fact, he’s leading the league in assists for the month of January.

All-Star starter Amar’e Stoudemire crept up the annals of the Suns’ history books too, surpassing current Vice President of Facility Management Alvan Adams for fourth on the franchise’s all-time list for most made free throws. STAT needs just 62 more to move ahead of Ring of Honor member Walter Davis.

The four-time All-Star ranks only behind Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich for holding the highest free throw average in the club’s history. Goodrich averaged 7.82, while Stoudemire is averaging 7.8.

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