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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Jason Kidd is making new coach Scott
Skiles' learning curve into a smooth, gentle slope.
|  | | Phoenix's Clifford Robinson, left, shoots around Portland's Detlef Schrempf and Brian Grant, right. |
Kidd got his first triple-double of the season and the Phoenix
Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 Friday night. The
victory was tempered when forward Tom Gugliotta was rushed to the
hospital after suffering a seizure on the team bus.
Kidd had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as Phoenix
improved to 2-0 under Skiles, who took over for coach when Danny
Ainge abruptly resigned Monday.
"I've seen him play so many times. You think he's never going
to surprise you," Skiles said. "But that's as good a game as I've
seen from a point guard. He played a great, great game."
Gugliotta had 17 points and 14 rebounds and seemed fine as he
answered questions in the locker room after the game, but
apparently collapsed on the bus. Little else was released about the
incident, only that he was breathing.
Gugliotta was in serious condition, said hospital spokeswoman
Fran Woodcock. She gave no further details, saying that doctors are
"evaluating him."
Phoenix, had lost 13 of its last 16 games to Portland, including
a 3-0 sweep by the Blazers in the first round of the playoffs last
season. And the Suns trailed by double digits early on before a
36-point third quarter helped them pull away.
Clifford Robinson scored 14 of his 23 points in the pivotal
third and hit all four of his 3-pointers. Kidd had nine points and
seven assists in the period.
"It was a big game, because it gives us the confidence that we
can beat those guys," said Robinson, who played his first eight
seasons in Portland. "In the third, Jason penetrated and did a
tremendous job finding me."
Phoenix stayed in fourth place in the Pacific Division 3½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
Damon Stoudamire had 22 points and Scottie Pippen 19 and 10
rebounds for the Blazers.
Kidd, who surpassed his season high of 29 points, has 27 career
triple-doubles.
"He carried that team," said Portland's Brian Grant.
"Everybody on that team did what they had to do to win, and that's
what we've got to do."
Phoenix trailed by 12 early in the second quarter but took the
lead for good with a 20-2 run during a 5:40 stretch late in the
period and into the third. Robinson's first 3-pointer, which
followed three straight jumpers by Kidd, completed the burst and
gave Phoenix a 64-55 lead.
The Suns then took complete control as Robinson hit three more
3s to make it 83-69 with 2:45 left in the period.
For the quarter, Phoenix made 14 of 22 shots (64 percent),
including 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
"We weathered the storm early in the game, short three
regulars, and it was a gutsy performance," said Skiles, 35, who
became the NBA's youngest coach when Ainge resigned, saying he
wanted to spend more time with his family.
The Suns played without injured starters Anfernee Hardaway
(foot), Luc Longley (back spasms) and Shawn Marion (left knee).
"I think they were surprised that we were able to maintain
without Penny and the other guys," Robinson said. "We're just
trying to hang in until we get those guys back."
Stoudamire scored nine points in the first quarter, and Portland
led 38-26 with 8:51 to go in the second when Phoenix started to
come back. The Suns crept within 43-42 on a tough rebound and layup
by Kidd. The Blazers pushed the lead to nine, but Phoenix scored
the last seven points of the quarter, and a tip-in by Oliver Miller
brought the Suns to 53-51 at halftime.
"We were confident at halftime, down only two, and we thought
if we could come out aggressive, we could sneak out a W," Kidd
said. "And that's what happened tonight."
Robinson tied it at 53 with a jumper to start the third, and the
Blazers didn't lead again.
Rasheed Wallace added 16 points for the Blazers, who had won
three straight.
Game notes
Phoenix is 10-0 when shooting at least 45 percent. The Suns
shot 49 percent Friday. ... Phoenix got its first road win over a
winning team. Its previous wins had come at Chicago, New Jersey and
the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Greg Anthony scored 11 points and hit
3-of-6 3-pointers for the Blazers. The reserve guard, who averaged
8 points and shot 32 percent from 3-point range in the first 21
games of the season, has averaged 14 points and made 12 of 17 3s in
his last three games. ... The Blazers have lost three of their last
five home games after starting 5-0.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Portland Clubhouse
Suns' Gugliotta in serious condition after seizure
RECAPS
Indiana 89
Utah 74
Philadelphia 77
Chicago 74
Charlotte 99
Cleveland 86
Orlando 112
Toronto 98
LA Lakers 97
Minnesota 88
San Antonio 103
Boston 94
Phoenix 110
Portland 102
LA Clippers 92
Golden State 91
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