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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The Nets' nine-game losing streak
is over, thanks in large part to Sherman Douglas -- even though he
missed his final shot.
Douglas scored 22 points, and his driving layup was rebounded
and put in by Kenyon Martin with 2.1 seconds left as the Nets ended
their skid with an 86-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
"You've just got to stay focused and be ready when your number
is called," said Douglas, who was impatient about his lack of
playing time earlier in the season. "When you get called you have
to step up and be a professional."
Douglas was there to answer the call Friday as Stephon Marbury
(sprained ankle) missed his third straight game.
"He was unbelievable," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "You
couldn't ask for anything more. He was playing against one of the
best point guards in the league (Jason Kidd) and Sherman outplayed
him. No question, hands down."
Suns coach Scott Skiles had to agree.
"If I weren't coaching the losing team it would be kind of
refreshing to watch this game because he (Douglas) is a guy who
knows how to play and run a team. It shows you that if you still
know how to play you can still play in this league."
Douglas worked a give-and-go with Aaron Williams and tossed up a
soft floater in the lane. The ball fell off to the left side, where
Martin was waiting. The basket gave him his only points of the
second half.
Williams led the Nets with 23 points while Cliff Robinson, who
missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer, led the Suns with 25.
Shawn Marion added 19 for Phoenix while Jason Kidd finished with
17.
"We knew we had to control the tempo and keep the score in the
80s because we've been struggling to score points," said Douglas,
a veteran of 11 NBA seasons.
New Jersey led most of the way and opened a 70-61 lead early in
the fourth period only to see the Suns fight back.
Phoenix outscored the Nets 9-2 to pull to 72-70 on Marion's
drive with 7:46 to play. The Suns finally tied the game at 78 on
Robinson's fast-break dunk with 3:01 to play.
But the Nets, also playing without Kendall Gill for a second
straight game, never let the Suns take the lead.
"We got exactly what we deserved," Skiles said.
Robinson tied it for Phoenix on two free throws with 22.2 to
play, setting the stage for the winning basket.
The Nets tallied the first seven points of the second quarter,
four by Johnny Newman, to open a 25-17 lead. The Suns fought back
to pull to 29-28 on Cliff Robinson's 3-point basket, but the Nets
scored 10 of the next 14, five by Williams, to open a 39-32
advantage.
Game notes
Marbury says he is 85 percent and hopes to play Sunday when
the Nets host Dallas. ... There is no timetable for the return of
Gill. ... The Suns signed veteran guard Elliot Perry and placed
rookie center Jake Tsakalidis on the injured list. ... Suns guard
Mario Elie left the game in the second quarter with a sprained
right ankle and did not return.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 104
Boston 91
Charlotte 92
LA Clippers 87
Miami 80
Atlanta 76
New Jersey 86
Phoenix 84
Dallas 105
Chicago 86
Philadelphia 107
Portland 94
Toronto 108
Golden State 92
Seattle 103
LA Lakers 95
Sacramento 111
Houston 98
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