Amare Stoudemire Scripts Suns Victory Over Spurs
The Suns defeated San Antonio Spurs 110-102 yesterday to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Amare Stoudemire was the star in Suns victory with 23 points and 11 rebounds, Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers.
Steve Nash and Jason Richardson scored 19 apiece, while Grant Hill contributed 18 points. Tim Duncan scored 29 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio. Richard Jefferson also looked in touch yesterday as he scored 18 points and 10 boards. Tony Parker contributed 20 points for the losing side. The Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be played at San Antonio tomorrow. Manu Ginobili was guarded brillaintly by Hill, and he managed to add just 11 assists for San Antonio.
Referee Ron Garretson walked off the field after the third quarter due to leg inquiry and substitute referee David Jones stood in the final quarter. Fellow ref Joey Crawford said Garretson injured his Achilles' tendon.
Talking to reporters, after the match, Suns coach Alvin Gentry said, "To me it was a great team victory. At the end of the day, we really haven't done anything except exactly what we're supposed to do, which is hold serve at home."
Nash praised reserve Jared Dudley for boosting the Suns' energy level with a six rebounds. "Jared I thought was the player of the game. He came in and got a bunch of offensive rebounds, hustle plays," said Nash. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agreed with Nash's remark and said, "I thought in first half that Jared Dudley changed the whole game. He came in and he was a monster. He was committed to the board and it was infectious."
