GAME THREAD: NBA: PHOENIX (12-4) at NEW YORK (5-10)

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NBA: PHOENIX (12-4) at NEW YORK (5-10)

<h3>Suns visit Knicks</h3>

<div class="pre">Phoenix (12-4) at New York (5-10) 7:00 pm EST</div>

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- After snapping a brief two-game slide, thePhoenix Suns look for back-to-back wins on Sunday when theyvisit the New York Knicks.


Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire recorded double-doubles during a110-106 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday. Nash scored15 points and added 14 assists while Stoudemire contributed 19points and 10 rebounds.


Nash, a two-time MVP, leads the league at 10.9 assists pergame.


Stoudemire looks to be fully recovered from soreness inhis right knee which forced him to miss three games earlier thisseason. The 25-year-old center has five double-doubles in 11games since returning to the lineup.


After an eight-game losing streak, the Knicks have won three oftheir last four games, including a 91-88 triumph over theMilwaukee Bucks on Friday.


The win came just one game after New York suffered one of itsmost embarrassing losses in franchise history during a 104-59drubbing by the Boston Celtics. A 3-pointer by Nate Robinsonfrom halfcourt at the buzzer was the only thing kept the Knicksfrom scoring the fewest points in franchise history during theshot-clock era.
 
NBA: PHOENIX (12-4) at NEW YORK (5-10)

<h3>Suns visit Knicks</h3>

<div class="pre">Phoenix (12-4) at New York (5-10) 7:00 pm EST</div>

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- After snapping a brief two-game slide, thePhoenix Suns look for back-to-back wins on Sunday when theyvisit the New York Knicks.


Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire recorded double-doubles during a110-106 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday. Nash scored15 points and added 14 assists while Stoudemire contributed 19points and 10 rebounds.


Nash, a two-time MVP, leads the league at 10.9 assists pergame.


Stoudemire looks to be fully recovered from soreness inhis right knee which forced him to miss three games earlier thisseason. The 25-year-old center has five double-doubles in 11games since returning to the lineup.


After an eight-game losing streak, the Knicks have won three oftheir last four games, including a 91-88 triumph over theMilwaukee Bucks on Friday.


The win came just one game after New York suffered one of itsmost embarrassing losses in franchise history during a 104-59drubbing by the Boston Celtics. A 3-pointer by Nate Robinsonfrom halfcourt at the buzzer was the only thing kept the Knicksfrom scoring the fewest points in franchise history during theshot-clock era.
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX AT NEW YORK - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


PHOENIX NEW YORK

F Grant Hill F Zach Randolph
F Shawn Marion F Quentin Richardson
C Amare Stoudemire C Eddy Curry
G Raja Bell G Jamal Crawford
G Steve Nash G Stephon Marbury

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Bennett Salvatore
Jason Phillips</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX VS NEW YORK - INACTIVES

PHOENIX NEW YORK

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
A TUCKER NBDL J JAMES FOOT INJURY
M COLLINS SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
W CHANDLER COACH'S DECISION</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 9
NEW YORK 7 9:05 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 23
NEW YORK 9 5:47 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 29
NEW YORK 17 2:44 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 37
NEW YORK 29 END, 1ST QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 37 37
NEW YORK 29 29 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

PHO - SHAWN MARION 9, GRANT HILL 7, AMARE
STOUDEMIRE 7
NYK - ZACH RANDOLPH 11, EDDY CURRY 6, JAMAL
CRAWFORD 4</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 42
NEW YORK 33 9:04 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 48
NEW YORK 45 5:39 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 53
NEW YORK 50 2:38 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 61
NEW YORK 57 HALFTIME</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 37 24 61
NEW YORK 29 28 57 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

PHO - GRANT HILL 17, RAJA BELL 12, SHAWN
MARION 11
NYK - EDDY CURRY 14, ZACH RANDOLPH 13, STEPHON
MARBURY 8</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 69
NEW YORK 67 8:48 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 73
NEW YORK 74 5:56 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 79
NEW YORK 76 2:58 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 85
NEW YORK 84 END, 3RD QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 37 24 24 85
NEW YORK 29 28 27 84 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

PHO - AMARE STOUDEMIRE 20, GRANT HILL 19,
SHAWN MARION 13
NYK - EDDY CURRY 18, STEPHON MARBURY 17, ZACH
RANDOLPH 17</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 96
NEW YORK 84 8:40 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 103
NEW YORK 87 5:44 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 110
NEW YORK 96 2:59 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA PHOENIX 115
NEW YORK 104 FINAL</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 37 24 24 30 115
NEW YORK 29 28 27 20 104 FINAL

HIGH SCORERS: PHO - GRANT HILL 28, AMARE STOUDEMIRE 28, TWO
PLAYERS WITH 15
NYK - STEPHON MARBURY 21, EDDY CURRY 21, ZACH
RANDOLPH 19</div>
 
By Larry Fleisher
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


NEW YORK (Ticker) -- It was another solid game for Grant Hill,and that turned into the desired start to Phoenix Suns' longestroad trip of the season.


Hill scored a season-best 28 points as the Suns opened afive-game road trip with a dominating fourth quarter in a115-104 victory over the New York Knicks Sunday night at MadisonSquare Garden.


Amare Stoudemire added 28 points and 12 rebounds, Shawn Marionchipped in 15 points and Steve Nash shot just 3-of-10 but made upfor it by handing out 15 assists, giving him at least 13 for thesixth time in nine games, for Phoenix.


Hill had 17 points in the first half but only two in the thirdas the Suns trailed by one point three times. He returned tobeing a scorer by netting Phoenix's first nine points of thefourth.


Hill's three-point play, a 19-footer from the left wing, a17-footer from the right wing and 14-foot fadeaway, turned a85-84 lead into a 96-84 edge less than 90 seconds into thequarter.


Phoenix scored the first 11 points of the period before NewYork finally got on the board with Fred Jones' free throw at the8:37 mark. That was after Hill fed reserve Leandro Barbosa fora short jumper.


Hill's strong start to the fourth gave him his highest pointtotal since scoring 28 for the Orlando Magic at Dallas onDecember 16, 2005. He just missed his first 30-point game sinceFebruary 27, 2005 against Miami.


The 35-year-old Hill finished the game by making 13-of-17 shots.He also had eight rebounds and a season-high seven assists.

After missing their first four shots of the fourth, the Knicksfinally scored a basket when Stephon Marbury had a layup with8:07 remaining making it 96-87.


That would be the final time the Knicks would get it underdouble digits as Quentin Richardson was stripped by Marion,who found Barbosa for a transition layup.


The Suns reached the century mark for the 13th time this seasonwith 6:18 remaining on Stoudemire's three-point play. Shortlythereafter a loud "Fire Isiah" chant began.


Marbury and Eddy Curry scored 21 points apiece for New York.
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX (115) AT NEW YORK (104)

PHOENIX

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

G HILL F 35:36 13-17 1-1 4 4 8 7 4 3 4 28
S MARION F 36:15 6-13 2-2 2 5 7 2 1 3 1 15
A STOUDEMIRE C 37:39 12-17 3-3 0 12 12 3 5 1 2 28
R BELL G 32:54 5-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 12
S NASH G 33:27 3-10 3-4 0 3 3 15 1 0 1 9
B DIAW 15:33 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 0
L BARBOSA 24:31 7-12 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 0 1 15
E PIATKOWSKI 5:32 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
B SKINNER 18:33 2-4 1-4 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 5

TOTALS 240:00 49-84 10-14 6 31 37 37 20 8 11 115
(.583) (.714) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 11 (0 PTS)

NEW YORK

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

Z RANDOLPH F 38:02 8-19 3-6 5 5 10 5 4 0 3 19
Q RICHARDSON F 41:52 6-18 0-0 2 7 9 6 2 1 3 15
E CURRY C 29:50 10-13 1-4 4 4 8 0 3 0 1 21
J CRAWFORD G 42:27 2-11 6-6 1 2 3 4 2 1 1 10
S MARBURY G 37:34 7-13 5-7 0 2 2 4 3 0 2 21
D LEE 20:22 5-8 2-2 3 2 5 1 1 1 0 12
F JONES 15:07 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4
R BALKMAN 7:00 0-0 0-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
J JEFFRIES 7:46 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2

TOTALS 240:00 40-86 18-29 15 24 39 23 19 3 11 104
(.465) (.621) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 11 (0 PTS)

PHOENIX 37 24 24 30 - 115
NEW YORK 29 28 27 20 - 104

BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - B SKINNER 2, S MARION, A STOUDEMIRE. NEW YORK -
Q RICHARDSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 7-22 (.318), G HILL 1-2, S MARION 1-4, A STOUDEMIRE 1-
1, R BELL 2-5, S NASH 0-3, L BARBOSA 1-5, E PIATKOWSKI 1-2. NEW YORK 6-
21 (.286), Z RANDOLPH 0-2, Q RICHARDSON 3-10, J CRAWFORD 0-5, S MARBURY 2-
3, F JONES 1-1.
TECHNICAL FOULS: NONE.
FLAGRANT FOULS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, BILL SPOONER, JASON PHILLIPS.
A - N/A. T - N/A.</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX (115)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
G Hill 35:36 13-17 1-1 4-8 7 4 28
S Marion 36:15 6-13 2-2 2-7 2 1 15
A Stoudemire 37:39 12-17 3-3 0-12 3 5 28
R Bell 32:54 5-8 0-0 0-0 3 2 12
S Nash 33:27 3-10 3-4 0-3 15 1 9
B Diaw 15:33 0-1 0-0 0-2 3 2 0
L Barbosa 24:31 7-12 0-0 0-2 2 3 15
E Piatkowski 5:32 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 3
B Skinner 18:33 2-4 1-4 0-3 1 2 5

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 49-84 10-14 6-37 37 20 115
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.583, FT-.714. 3-Point Goals:
7-22, .318 (G Hill 1-2, S Marion 1-4, A
Stoudemire 1-1, R Bell 2-5, S Nash 0-3, L
Barbosa 1-5, E Piatkowski 1-2). Team
Rebounds: 8. Blocked Shots:4 (B Skinner 2, S
Marion, A Stoudemire). Turnovers:11 (G Hill
4, A Stoudemire 2, E Piatkowski, S Nash, L
Barbosa, S Marion, B Diaw). Steals: 8 (G Hill
3, S Marion 3, R Bell, A Stoudemire).


NEW YORK (104)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
Z Randolph 38:02 8-19 3-6 5-10 5 4 19
Q Richardson 41:52 6-18 0-0 2-9 6 2 15
E Curry 29:50 10-13 1-4 4-8 0 3 21
J Crawford 42:27 2-11 6-6 1-3 4 2 10
S Marbury 37:34 7-13 5-7 0-2 4 3 21
D Lee 20:22 5-8 2-2 3-5 1 1 12
F Jones 15:07 1-1 1-2 0-1 1 1 4
R Balkman 7:00 0-0 0-2 0-1 1 0 0
J Jeffries 7:46 1-3 0-0 0-0 1 3 2

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 40-86 18-29 15-39 23 19 104
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.465, FT-.621. 3-Point Goals:
6-21, .286 (Z Randolph 0-2, Q Richardson
3-10, J Crawford 0-5, S Marbury 2-3, F Jones
1-1). Team Rebounds: 12. Blocked Shots:1 (Q
Richardson). Turnovers:11 (Q Richardson 3, Z
Randolph 3, S Marbury 2, J Crawford, E Curry,
F Jones). Steals: 3 (J Crawford, Q
Richardson, D Lee).

--------------------------------------------
PHOENIX 37 24 24 30 - 115
NEW YORK 29 28 27 20 - 104
--------------------------------------------

Technical fouls: None.
Flagrant fouls: None. A: N/A. T: N/A.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Bill Spooner,
Jason Phillips.</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX (115) AT NEW YORK (104)

PHOENIX

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

G HILL F 35:36 13-17 1-1 4 4 8 7 4 3 4 28
S MARION F 36:15 6-13 2-2 2 5 7 2 1 3 1 15
A STOUDEMIRE C 37:39 12-17 3-3 0 12 12 3 5 1 2 28
R BELL G 32:54 5-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 12
S NASH G 33:27 3-10 3-4 0 3 3 15 1 0 1 9
B DIAW 15:33 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 0
L BARBOSA 24:31 7-12 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 0 1 15
E PIATKOWSKI 5:32 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
B SKINNER 18:33 2-4 1-4 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 5
M BANKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D STRAWBERRY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
S MARKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION

TOTALS 240:00 49-84 10-14 6 31 37 37 20 8 11 115
(.583) (.714) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 11 (5 PTS)

NEW YORK

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

Z RANDOLPH F 38:02 8-19 3-6 5 5 10 5 4 0 3 19
Q RICHARDSON F 41:52 6-18 0-0 2 7 9 6 2 1 3 15
E CURRY C 29:50 10-13 1-4 4 4 8 0 3 0 1 21
J CRAWFORD G 42:27 2-11 6-6 1 2 3 4 2 1 1 10
S MARBURY G 37:34 7-13 5-7 0 2 2 4 3 0 2 21
D LEE 20:22 5-8 2-2 3 2 5 1 1 1 0 12
F JONES 15:07 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4
R BALKMAN 7:00 0-0 0-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
J JEFFRIES 7:46 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2
M ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
N ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
R MORRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION

TOTALS 240:00 40-86 18-29 15 24 39 23 19 3 11 104
(.465) (.621) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 11 (15 PTS)

PHOENIX 37 24 24 30 - 115
NEW YORK 29 28 27 20 - 104

BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - B SKINNER 2, S MARION, A STOUDEMIRE. NEW YORK -
Q RICHARDSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 7-22 (.318), G HILL 1-2, S MARION 1-4, A STOUDEMIRE 1-
1, R BELL 2-5, S NASH 0-3, L BARBOSA 1-5, E PIATKOWSKI 1-2. NEW YORK 6-
21 (.286), Z RANDOLPH 0-2, Q RICHARDSON 3-10, J CRAWFORD 0-5, S MARBURY 2-
3, F JONES 1-1.
TECHNICAL FOULS: NONE.
FLAGRANT FOULS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, BILL SPOONER, JASON PHILLIPS.
A - 18,869. T - 2:06.</div>
 
NBA: PHOENIX at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">PHOENIX (115)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
G Hill 35:36 13-17 1-1 4-8 7 4 28
S Marion 36:15 6-13 2-2 2-7 2 1 15
A Stoudemire 37:39 12-17 3-3 0-12 3 5 28
R Bell 32:54 5-8 0-0 0-0 3 2 12
S Nash 33:27 3-10 3-4 0-3 15 1 9
B Diaw 15:33 0-1 0-0 0-2 3 2 0
L Barbosa 24:31 7-12 0-0 0-2 2 3 15
E Piatkowski 5:32 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 3
B Skinner 18:33 2-4 1-4 0-3 1 2 5
M Banks DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D Strawberry DNP - COACH'S DECISION
S Marks DNP - COACH'S DECISION

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 49-84 10-14 6-37 37 20 115
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.583, FT-.714. 3-Point Goals:
7-22, .318 (G Hill 1-2, S Marion 1-4, A
Stoudemire 1-1, R Bell 2-5, S Nash 0-3, L
Barbosa 1-5, E Piatkowski 1-2). Team
Rebounds: 8. Blocked Shots:4 (B Skinner 2, S
Marion, A Stoudemire). Turnovers:11 (G Hill
4, A Stoudemire 2, E Piatkowski, S Nash, L
Barbosa, S Marion, B Diaw). Steals: 8 (G Hill
3, S Marion 3, R Bell, A Stoudemire).


NEW YORK (104)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
Z Randolph 38:02 8-19 3-6 5-10 5 4 19
Q Richardson 41:52 6-18 0-0 2-9 6 2 15
E Curry 29:50 10-13 1-4 4-8 0 3 21
J Crawford 42:27 2-11 6-6 1-3 4 2 10
S Marbury 37:34 7-13 5-7 0-2 4 3 21
D Lee 20:22 5-8 2-2 3-5 1 1 12
F Jones 15:07 1-1 1-2 0-1 1 1 4
R Balkman 7:00 0-0 0-2 0-1 1 0 0
J Jeffries 7:46 1-3 0-0 0-0 1 3 2
M Rose DNP - COACH'S DECISION
N Robinson DNP - COACH'S DECISION
R Morris DNP - COACH'S DECISION

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 40-86 18-29 15-39 23 19 104
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.465, FT-.621. 3-Point Goals:
6-21, .286 (Z Randolph 0-2, Q Richardson
3-10, J Crawford 0-5, S Marbury 2-3, F Jones
1-1). Team Rebounds: 12. Blocked Shots:1 (Q
Richardson). Turnovers:11 (Q Richardson 3, Z
Randolph 3, S Marbury 2, J Crawford, E Curry,
F Jones). Steals: 3 (J Crawford, Q
Richardson, D Lee).

--------------------------------------------
PHOENIX 37 24 24 30 - 115
NEW YORK 29 28 27 20 - 104
--------------------------------------------

Technical fouls: None.
Flagrant fouls: None. A: 18,869. T: 2:06.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Bill Spooner,
Jason Phillips.</div>
 
By Larry Fleisher
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


NEW YORK (Ticker) -- It was another solid game for Grant Hill,and that turned into the desired start to Phoenix Suns' longestroad trip of the season.


Hill scored a season-best 28 points as the Suns opened afive-game road trip with a dominating fourth quarter in a115-104 victory over the New York Knicks Sunday night at MadisonSquare Garden.


Amare Stoudemire added 28 points and 12 rebounds, Shawn Marionchipped in 15 points and Steve Nash shot just 3-of-10 but madeup for it by handing out 15 assists, giving him at least 13 forthe sixth time in nine games, for Phoenix.


Hill had 17 points in the first half but only two in the thirdas the Suns trailed by one point three times. He returned tobeing a scorer by netting Phoenix's first nine points of thefourth.


"Whenever a teammate of mine has a great game, it's always funto see," Stoudemire said. "It's always fun to be a part of - sojust another day at the office."


Hill's three-point play, a 19-footer from the left wing, a17-footer from the right wing and 14-foot fadeaway, turned a85-84 lead into a 94-84 edge less than 90 seconds into thequarter.


"It was good," Hill said. "It felt good tonight. We got a lotof weapons on this team. Anytime a two-time MVP doesn't getdouble figures and you still win, I think it shows you the depththat we have."


Phoenix scored the first 11 points of the period before New Yorkfinally got on the board with Fred Jones' free throw at the8:37 mark. That was after Hill fed reserve Leandro Barbosa fora short jumper.


"Grant made a couple of shots," Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said."He got it going pretty good. Teams such as this, you almosthave to play perfect basketball because they capitalize (on)every mistake with a basket."


Not only did Hill's surge give the Suns the win, it came withNash getting a rest.


"It was great," Nash said. "It was a lot of fun to watch. Hegot on a roll and kind of gave us the space we needed to closethe game. It was a lot of fun to see him go off there.

"It took a lot of pressure off me. I didn't have my legstonight. He took over and he did a great job for us."

Hill's strong start to the fourth gave him his highest pointtotal since scoring 28 for the Orlando Magic at Dallas onDecember 16, 2005. He just missed his first 30-point game sinceFebruary 27, 2005 against Miami.


It was Hill's third game with at least 20 points this season andit happened after he shot a combined 9-of-23 in his previoustwo contests.


"I was a little disappointed in my play the last two games froman energy standpoint against Houston, against Orlando," Hillsaid. "I just came out, had good energy and the shots were goingin."


"He is a seven-time All-Star," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said."Obviously, he had a good game. He has done it his whole careerwhen he is healthy. I don't think it is unusual that he didit."


The 35-year-old Hill finished the game 13-of-17 from the fieldwith eight rebounds and a season-high seven assists.

"It was great, he was shooting the (heck) out of the ball,"Marion said.


After missing their first four shots of the fourth, the Knicksfinally scored a basket when Stephon Marbury had a layup with8:07 remaining making it 96-87.


That would be the final time the Knicks would get it underdouble digits as Quentin Richardson was stripped by Marion, whofound Barbosa for a transition layup.


The Suns reached the century mark for the 13th time this seasonwith 6:18 remaining on Stoudemire's three-point play. Shortlythereafter a loud "Fire Isiah" chant began.


Marbury and Eddy Curry scored 21 points apiece for New York,which trailed by as many as 17 during the first quarter and shot39.5 percent in the second half.


Marbury had just four points in the fourth while Curry had justthree as he was guarded by Brian Skinner. Skinner also helpedstop Zach Randolph, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds but missedhis first three shots of the fourth and was 2-of-10 in thesecond half.


"They ran off on us," Randolph said. "We know Phoenix is a goodteam and we hung with them until the fourth quarter. Then wecouldn't score. We couldn't get stops."
 
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