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orangedays · 03-12-2006, 04:29 AM

Nash Back in Big Way; Suns Skip Past Wolves (Linkage)

PHOENIX, March 11 (Ticker) -- Steve Nash returned to help the Phoenix Suns get back on the right track.

Nash had a season-high 31 points and 11 assists and Tim Thomas scored 19 off the bench as the Suns posted a 110-102 triumph over the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, who dropped their fourth straight game.

Video highlights from
Timberwolves-Suns: Play
The reigning MVP, Nash missed Thursday's 117-93 home loss to San Antonio that that snapped Phoenix's 11-game winning streak with a sprained ankle. He showed no ill effects from that injury Saturday, making 11-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-4 3-pointers.

"I felt pretty confident before the game, but there was definitely still some uncertainty," Nash said. "As the game went on I definitely gained confidence and didn't feel any problems with it, so it was exciting for me."

"He's (Nash) not the quickest guy but he knows how to play," said Minnesota guard Ricky Davis, who scored 14 points. "He knows how to use his body, knows how to find guys. He's just one of those guys that has a key to getting the guys the ball."

Minnesota trailed by just two points at the start of the fourth quarter but Phoenix opened an 85-78 lead on Eddie House's 3-pointer with 9½ minutes left.

Timberwolves rookie Rashad McCants cut the deficit to 90-85 on his jumper at the 8:02 mark. However, Thomas scored five of Phoenix's next 10 points over a three-minute span to push the lead to 100-90. Minnesota never really challenged thereafter.

"Tim is doing great," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He had 19 and played really well against Kevin Garnett."

Upon entering the locker room to find his teammates laughing and joking, Garnett -- who had 28 points and 10 rebounds -- ripped the team for losing their fourth straight contest.

"I try to keep things in-house, but there is a certain tone here, and we're going to keep that," Garnett said. "And if you can't abide by that tone, you won't be here and you won't play.

"I don't sign anyone's checks, but you have to be prepared and ready to play, and I don't know that as a team every night we are ready to do that. The focus is that it's gotta hurt when you lose. I've never been one to hold my tongue and I never will. We're really trying to make a run for this thing. We're trying to make the playoffs and we need everybody to comply with that."

Raja Bell scored 13 points and Marion added 10 and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who shot 53 percent (42-of-79) overall and made 11-of-19 from the arc.

"I've always been an all-around player," said Marion, who shot just 4-of-15 overall. "Just because I'm not scoring doesn't mean I can't do other things on the floor. I try to focus on playing hard defense, and doing all the little things to help the team win."

Trenton Hassell scored 21 points and Marko Jaric added 14 and eight rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 47 percent (41-of-87).
_______________________________

KG sounds like a decidedly unhappy camper.

Oh, and for you conspiracy theorists out there - was Nash held out of the Spurs game for strategic reasons (sacrifice a loss in the regular season so the Spurs can't strategize as well to contain him in the playoffs, maybe play a mind game where the Spurs think they have one-up on Phoenix)? He doesn't seem to have been affected by it (*edit: the twisted ankle) at all in the Wolves game...*ominous rumbling*

03-12-2006, 04:29 AM	#66
orangedays Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 2,938	Nash Back in Big Way; Suns Skip Past Wolves (Linkage) PHOENIX, March 11 (Ticker) -- Steve Nash returned to help the Phoenix Suns get back on the right track. Nash had a season-high 31 points and 11 assists and Tim Thomas scored 19 off the bench as the Suns posted a 110-102 triumph over the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, who dropped their fourth straight game. Video highlights from Timberwolves-Suns: Play The reigning MVP, Nash missed Thursday's 117-93 home loss to San Antonio that that snapped Phoenix's 11-game winning streak with a sprained ankle. He showed no ill effects from that injury Saturday, making 11-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-4 3-pointers. "I felt pretty confident before the game, but there was definitely still some uncertainty," Nash said. "As the game went on I definitely gained confidence and didn't feel any problems with it, so it was exciting for me." "He's (Nash) not the quickest guy but he knows how to play," said Minnesota guard Ricky Davis, who scored 14 points. "He knows how to use his body, knows how to find guys. He's just one of those guys that has a key to getting the guys the ball." Minnesota trailed by just two points at the start of the fourth quarter but Phoenix opened an 85-78 lead on Eddie House's 3-pointer with 9½ minutes left. Timberwolves rookie Rashad McCants cut the deficit to 90-85 on his jumper at the 8:02 mark. However, Thomas scored five of Phoenix's next 10 points over a three-minute span to push the lead to 100-90. Minnesota never really challenged thereafter. "Tim is doing great," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He had 19 and played really well against Kevin Garnett." Upon entering the locker room to find his teammates laughing and joking, Garnett -- who had 28 points and 10 rebounds -- ripped the team for losing their fourth straight contest. "I try to keep things in-house, but there is a certain tone here, and we're going to keep that," Garnett said. "And if you can't abide by that tone, you won't be here and you won't play. "I don't sign anyone's checks, but you have to be prepared and ready to play, and I don't know that as a team every night we are ready to do that. The focus is that it's gotta hurt when you lose. I've never been one to hold my tongue and I never will. We're really trying to make a run for this thing. We're trying to make the playoffs and we need everybody to comply with that." Raja Bell scored 13 points and Marion added 10 and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who shot 53 percent (42-of-79) overall and made 11-of-19 from the arc. "I've always been an all-around player," said Marion, who shot just 4-of-15 overall. "Just because I'm not scoring doesn't mean I can't do other things on the floor. I try to focus on playing hard defense, and doing all the little things to help the team win." Trenton Hassell scored 21 points and Marko Jaric added 14 and eight rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 47 percent (41-of-87). _______________________________ KG sounds like a decidedly unhappy camper. Oh, and for you conspiracy theorists out there - was Nash held out of the Spurs game for strategic reasons (sacrifice a loss in the regular season so the Spurs can't strategize as well to contain him in the playoffs, maybe play a mind game where the Spurs think they have one-up on Phoenix)? He doesn't seem to have been affected by it (edit: the twisted ankle) at all in the Wolves game...ominous rumbling* Last edited by orangedays; 03-12-2006 at 06:45 AM.