By Dustin Krugel and Jeramie McPeek, Suns.com
Posted: April 14, 2003

The Phoenix Suns not only clinched a playoff spot Sunday night, but perhaps just as significant, they may have gained the upper hand against their probable first-round opponent.

By beating the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in four tries this season (the lone loss was in overtime), including Sunday night’s 92-85 victory in front of a sold-out America West Arena, the Suns may now have a psychological edge over the Spurs. The Spurs can secure the top seed in the West (and a first-round matchup with Phoenix) if they either win one of their remaining two games or the Mavericks lose another game. San Antonio hosts Dallas Wednesday night.

“It is a concern. (Phoenix is) a very tough team,” said Spurs’ MVP candidate Tim Duncan, who finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the loss. “If it ends up that we see them in the first round, it is a whole different ball game in the playoffs. It’s about adjustments and playing a series, so it’ll be a different ball game. But those guys are tough. They’ve given us trouble all season long and I have no doubt they’ll give us trouble in the playoffs.”

Suns guard Penny Hardaway said he believes the Spurs are the best team in the NBA, but many of the match-ups are in the Suns’ favor.

“I think we have a lot of athletes on this team,” said Hardaway, when trying to explain the Suns’ success this season against the Spurs. “Stephon (Marbury) has been awesome against those guys. He continued to be awesome (Sunday, 23 points, 10 assists). That’s part of the problem for them. They don’t have anyone who can really stop Steph. Tony Parker, Speedy Claxton, those guys are good, but Steph is just at another level right now.”

Marbury has indeed excelled against the Spurs in 2002-03, averaging 32.5 points and 8.8 assists, but he cautioned that San Antonio would be ready for him in case there’s a rematch.

“I don’t care who we are playing. San Antonio will look like a whole different team (in the playoffs),” he said. “For some reason, I’ve just had success against the Spurs, but playing them in the postseason is going to be a lot of fun. We’ve beaten them three times. It’s hard to beat a team four or five times, but we are going to go out and play as hard as we can.”

Whoever Phoenix’s playoff opponent is, they’ll have to deal with one of the league’s hottest teams. The Suns are 8-2 in their last 10 contests and their current four-game winning streak is the longest in the NBA after the Spurs and Lakers both lost on Sunday.

“It feels like we can breath again. Even though it’s the eight spot, we’re still in and anything can happen,” Hardaway said. “Last year was a bad year and we just have to write it off. Coming in this year we had to focus coming into training camp and we achieved that goal.”

The Suns, who last met the Spurs in the postseason in 2000, will open the playoffs on the road this coming weekend, either Saturday, April 19, or Sunday, April 20. The NBA Playoff schedule will be finalized following the conclusion of Wednesday night’s games.

SALUTING THE ADMIRAL

Spurs center David Robinson played his final regular season game in the Valley on Sunday night, as he will retire following one final playoff run.

“Classy individual,” said Suns center Scott Williams. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for David Robinson, with the way he handles himself on and off the floor. He and his family are just real classy people.”

Apparently, the sold-out America West Arena crowd agreed. “The Admiral” received a standing ovation from Phoenix fans early in the second quarter, following a big screen video tribute to the 10-time All-Star, who the Suns have battled in several playoff series.

“I’ve been amazed every place I’ve gone really,” said Robinson after the game. “You know, I didn’t really want this to be a big deal, but the fans have said really positive things everywhere I’ve gone. I’ve been really amazed with the response. So that’s a blessing when you can play 14 years and people aren’t throwing rocks at you.”

DUNCAN VOTES FOR STOUDEMIRE

Suns rookie forward Amaré Stoudemire praised Tim Duncan after the game, saying the Spurs’ big man is deserving of league MVP honors once again this season.

Meanwhile, just down the hall from the Suns’ locker room, Duncan was casting his verbal vote for Stoudemire for Rookie of the Year.

“I think he’s done an excellent job all year long,” said Duncan. “People have kind of changed up defenses against him. I think he’s adjusted very well. I think he’s sustained very well. I think he’s improved over the year. I’d go with Amaré.”

PARTING WORDS

As the Suns celebrated their playoff-clinching win at center court after the final buzzer, Spurs broadcaster Joel Meyers headed to commercial with a little warning.

“Phoenix, be careful what you wish for.”