RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
PHOENIX (AP) -- Shawn Marion's offseason efforts are paying
dividends for the Phoenix Suns.
|  | | Jason Kidd did a little of everything for the Suns, tallying 10 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to help beat the Spurs. |
Marion scored 23 points to lead five players in double figures
as the Suns knocked the San Antonio Spurs from the ranks of the
unbeaten with a 100-81 victory Tuesday night.
"I'm feeling a lot more comfortable," said Marion, a
second-year forward from UNLV. "I worked on a lot of stuff this
summer and got more ready. Every day I was learning more and more
stuff."
Tony Delk had 20 points and Clifford Robinson added 15 for the
Suns, who led by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter en route to
their fourth straight win.
"I say it over and over and over again but when we play hard,
we're really good," said Suns coach Scott Skiles. "When we play
like we did tonight, we're going to beat most teams most nights."
Jason Kidd fell one rebound shy of his second triple-double,
finishing with 10 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Rodney
Rogers added 12 points.
"Everyone is getting on his bandwagon, trying to play as hard
as he does," Skiles said of Kidd. "He creates so many shots right
around the basket for us."
Tim Duncan finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the
Spurs, who had their season-opening three-game winning streak
snapped. David Robinson added 11 points for San Antonio, which was
outscored 52-30 in the paint.
"Our game plan was to get the ball inside-out, then work the
ball back inside and that's what we did," Kidd said. "Everybody's
moving the ball. Everybody's touching it. But it all starts with
our defense and this team takes great pride in playing defense."
Marion scored 15 first-half points on 7-of-8 shooting and
Robinson added 13 as the Suns shot 56 percent from the floor and
took a 53-38 halftime lead.
San Antonio, led by Robinson's four points and Samaki Walker's
3-pointer, opened the second half strong and cut into Phoenix's
lead. But Mario Elie scored five straight points against his former
team, Marion added two dunks and the Suns hit eight
consecutive free throws as Phoenix took a 78-61 lead.
"Things were falling for them and going their way," Duncan
said. "That's what happens when you're more aggressive than the
other team. I think we were very flat."
Game notes
The Suns have won 12 of the last 18 games between the teams
and are 37-14 all-time against the Spurs in Phoenix. ... Suns guard
Penny Hardaway was eligible to come off the injured list Tuesday,
but remained in Houston rehabilitating his surgically-repaired left
knee with his physical therapist. Hardaway will return to Phoenix
on Wednesday. ... The Spurs' loss leaves three unbeaten teams --
Utah, Philadelphia and Cleveland. ... The Suns' 4-1 start is their
second straight. Last season, Phoenix also lost its season opener
before running off four straight victories.
|
|
NBA Scoreboard
San Antonio Clubhouse
Phoenix Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 105
Boston 75
New York 103
Milwaukee 89
Washington 88
Chicago 83
Houston 84
LA Lakers 74
Phoenix 100
San Antonio 81
Portland 97
Atlanta 88
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Suns' Jason Kidd turns a negative into a positive.
avi: 781 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Rodney Rogers gets the steal and sets up Jason Kidd on the break.
avi: 820 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
