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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks don't have to look at the
stat sheet to know the Phoenix Suns are the most turnover-hungry
team in the NBA.
|  | | Mavericks guard Howard Eisley, bottom, collects a rebound behind Suns guard Jason Kidd. |
The Suns forced the Mavericks into 23 turnovers for the second
time this season and Cliff Robinson and Shawn Marion came through
on offense in a 103-86 victory Saturday.
"If you want to be an elite team, you have to stop people,"
said Phoenix's Jason Kidd, who had 15 points and 11 assists. "We
were able to make some plays on defense, which led to easy
baskets."
Dallas' offense sputtered with point guard Steve Nash resting an
injured hamstring and leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki playing through
a stomach flu. Michael Finley tried taking over and while he had 27
points and six assists, he also had a season-worst nine turnovers.
"It seemed like about 50,000," Finley said. "We were in a
funk offensively. We never got in synch."
Phoenix's best defense came in the middle as Marion had a
season-high six steals and Rodney Rogers had five, his best this
season. Marion also had 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Rogers
added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
"In a couple of moments in the first and second half when it
appeared they may be gaining the momentum back, Rodney seemed like
the guy that was making the big play," Suns coach Scott Skiles
said.
Robinson, who had 21 points, scored 11 straight in the third
quarter as Phoenix broke the game open with a 20-4 run that began
after Dallas got within one late in the second quarter.
The Suns, who won for the fourth time in five games, also forced
the Mavericks into 23 turnovers in a 22-point victory in November.
Dallas hasn't made more than 20 in any other game this season.
Then again, Phoenix averages 15.7 turnovers, easily the most in
the NBA.
"We knew their athleticism would affect us some, but we didn't
think it would affect us this much," Mavericks interim coach
Donnie Nelson said.
It might not have if Nash had been in the lineup. Dallas has
dropped two straight without him after winning four in a row with
him. The Mavs are 0-4 in games he's missed this season.
"You could see how much they needed him," Phoenix's Penny
Hardaway said.
Dallas also might've shot better than 39 percent had Nowitzki
been healthy. He got ill at halftime and missed the start of the
third quarter. He still had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Also among the disappointments for the Mavericks was letting
down their third sellout crowd this season.
"We didn't display the kind of team we have," Finley said.
Phoenix might have pulled away earlier had it not struggled from
3-point range, shooting just 2-for-16.
Still, the Suns had more than enough to improve to 22-10,
putting them 10 games above .500 for the first time this season.
"We're getting guys back and we're going to be at full
strength," Kidd said. "This is going to be a fun team to
watch."
Game notes
The Suns evened their road record at 7-7. ... After scoring
at least 99 points in 14 straight games, Dallas has averaged 89 the
last two. ... The Suns have won 29 of their last 35 games against
the Mavs. ... Donnie Nelson said his father's recovery from
prostate surgery is going well. His recovery regimen includes walks
on the beach, resting on his back and getting telephone updates on
Mavs games from the team's public relations director, Gregg Elkin.
"He's feeling terrific," the younger Nelson said. "He still
foresees a month, month and a half recovery time."
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
RECAPS
Phoenix 103
Dallas 86
New York 91
Portland 78
Atlanta 108
LA Clippers 88
Indiana 87
Miami 71
Orlando 111
Golden State 94
Philadelphia 100
San Antonio 83
Sacramento 84
Houston 81
Milwaukee 115
New Jersey 81
Utah 111
LA Lakers 103
Vancouver 119
Cleveland 107
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