Spurs burn the Suns 128-123 in OT

<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3340528">Associated Press </a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>GAME:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> San Antonio Spurs (32-9) at Phoenix Suns (31-9). <br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>TIME:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST. <br>
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Even when the Phoenix Suns had the NBA's best record, many still considered the San Antonio Spurs the league's top team. <br>
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The Suns' struggles have made it a moot point, because now the Spurs have the best record. <br>
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The Suns can take it back - and more importantly end their five-game losing streak - when they host the Spurs in a Western Conference showdown. <br>
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Phoenix's blistering start was one of the surprises of the NBA this season. After going 29-53 last season, the Suns won 31 of their first 35 games, tied for the fourth-best start in league history. <br>
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That wasn't enough to convince everyone that the Suns were better than the Spurs, especially after San Antonio easily handled them in December, snapping Phoenix's 11-game winning streak with a 115-94 victory. <br>
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The Suns rebounded to win their next seven games, but have now dropped five in a row. Meanwhile, San Antonio has won two straight and seven of nine and is a half-game better than Phoenix. <br>
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Steve Nash gets much of the credit for the Suns' improvement, and his absence is the biggest reason for Phoenix's skid. <br>
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Nash has missed three straight games, including Wednesday's 88-79 loss to Memphis. He had been hoping to return after sitting out with a bruised thigh, but then was sidelined again after injuring his back in practice. <br>
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The Suns are hoping he can return Friday. <br>
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"That will give us a boost in confidence, and we'll play it from there," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. <br>
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Without Nash, the league leader with 10.9 assists per game, the Suns look nothing like the powerful offensive team that leads the NBA with 108.4 points per game. Phoenix had season lows in points and field-goal shooting (33 percent) Wednesday, though it did finish with 16 assists to snap a streak of season lows in each of its four previous games. <br>
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"You can't be without an All-Star player like Steve Nash, who is such a vital part of what they do, and expect to play the same way," Memphis coach Mike Fratello said. <br>
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A Nash return would certainly benefit Amare Stoudemire, the Suns' leading scorer with 25.3 points per game. He managed only eight Wednesday, tying a season low, and has shot just 34 percent (18-of-53) in the three games Nash has missed. <br>
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Stoudemire scored 37 points against San Antonio on Dec. 28, but Nash had only four assists, ending his streak of consecutive games with double figures at 11. Phoenix led by nine points in the second quarter, but was outscored 81-51 the rest of the way as the Spurs handed the Suns their worst loss of the season. <br>
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San Antonio had a much tougher time Wednesday night, needing Tony Parker's basket with 7.8 seconds left to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 80-79. <br>
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Parker finished with 25 points, helping San Antonio overcome a quiet game from Tim Duncan. Duncan had 12 points and is averaging only 13.7 in his last three games on 15-of-44 shooting. <br>
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The Spurs, outrebounded 62-44 Wednesday, are opening a three-game road trip. Following the game at Phoenix, San Antonio plays at Sacramento on Sunday. <br>
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"They're both two of the best in the league. We're going to have our hands full," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "We'll have to hit the boards and shoot the ball better than we did tonight if we want to win those games." <br>
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San Antonio is off to its best start through the midpoint of its schedule. The Spurs are holding teams to an NBA-low 85.2 points per game and 18 of their 32 wins have come by 15 or more points. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>STANDINGS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs - 1st place, Southwest Division. Suns - 1st place, Pacific Division. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>PROBABLE STARTERS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Manu Ginobili, G Parker. Suns - F Joe Johnson, F Shawn Marion, C Stoudemire, G Nash, G Quentin Richardson. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>TEAM LEADERS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs - Duncan, 21.4 ppg and 11.7 rpg; Parker, 6 apg. Suns - Stoudemire, 25.3 ppg; Marion, 10.6 rpg; Nash, 10.9 apg. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>SEASON SERIES:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs, 1-0. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>LAST MEETING:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Dec. 28; Spurs, 115-94. At San Antonio, Parker had 29 points in 30 minutes for the Spurs, who shot 51.6 percent and outrebounded the Suns 53-39. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>ROAD/HOME RECORDS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs - 11-8 on the road; Suns - 16-3 at home. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>INJURIES:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Spurs - F Linton Johnson III (ankle); C Sean Marks (back); G Romain Sato (knee). Suns - G Nash (back).<br>
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<p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=blondie4spurs>Blondie4Spurs</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://homepage.eircom.net/~bray/em/orose.gif" BORDER=0> at: 1/22/05 10:52 am<br></i>

I'm with MD on this one if Nash doesn't play, I think we can win. However if he does I think we could be in trouble.<br>
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Without Nash:<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :logo --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/logo.gif ALT=":logo"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> 109<br>
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Suns 92<br>
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With Nash:<br>
Suns 112<br>
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<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :logo --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/logo.gif ALT=":logo"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> 99<br>
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<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Jan 20 If Nash is able to make it through Thursday's practice without any problems, he plans to return to the Suns' starting lineup for Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>
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<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3103/news" target="top">Link</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:gray;font-family:century gothic;font-size:large;">Silver and Black Baby</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nba.com/news/ballot_041118.html" target="top">Have you voted for your Spurs today?</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><br>
<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/allstarlead_041118.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=rynospursfan>rynospursfan</A> at: 1/21/05 12:00 am<br></i>

The Las Vegas betting line has been pulled so, since they have the best information, I would guess that Nash won't be playing. If that is in fact the case, I see the result being the Spurs winning 106-99. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :popcorn --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/popcorn.gif ALT=":popcorn"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

if nash is playing it should be a really good game.. the suns are due for a win and they've been itching for a win.. to win against the spurs in their home floor would be awesome for the suns... however i think the spurs are gonna play real well too just 'cuz of the stupid game they played last night against the clips... i predict parker and duncan to have a great game<br>
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spurs 104<br>
suns 96<br>
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parker= 25 points 7 assist<br>
duncan= 27 points 13 rebounds <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://super-sweet.net/mia2.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

i think the spurs will slow the suns down with a championship beating. 90-82.<br>
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-i would like to add that this game is huge to the suns and their fans. think about these other young players in phoenix, amare-joe-qrich-marion. they have never won like this in the NBA yet. its also a personal game some might say. SA better bring that well known A game and nothing less thats for sure. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4184/green0ie.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><br>
<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Two white roses lay frozen outside your door.- If it makes you so happy and so sad, which should I be more sorry for?</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=velozity>Velozity</A> at: 1/21/05 2:08 am<br></i>

Well, the last time we played them, Nash played and the Spurs brought their "A" game. And the Spurs won. I see no reason why that can't happen again. Spurs know how good the Suns are. Pop won't let them lollygag around.<br>
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Spurs 105<br>
Suns 94<br>
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This game will be overwhelming. <br>
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Spurs 104<br>
Suns 91 <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/itsgametime_550w.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

If Nash is playing I see Parker coming up really big for us. He seems to always get "up" for elite matchups. If he isn't playing...I still see us playing a good game. They know how important this game is. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nba.com/allstar2005/asb/eng/ballot.html" target="top">VOTE GINOBILI 4 ALL-STAR 2005</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.supergino.com" target="top">SuperGino.com - My Ginobili Fansite</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img57.exs.cx/img57/9647/g19.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

I hope that Nash DOESN'T play, and then that will completely expose the Sun bench as being an absolute non-factor.<br>
Even still,<br>
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Spurs 100<br>
Bums 85<br>
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<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eyebrows --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/eyebrows.gif ALT=":eyebrows"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

I have a feeling it will be a dog fight tonight since a lot of our guys are playing banged up. Hopefully the Spurs will come out on top. <p></p><i></i>

SPURS WIN: #33<br>
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<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rock --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/rock.gif ALT=":rock"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Spurs 102<br>
Suns 94 <p></p><i></i>

Well, Nash reportedly will play tonight and the Vegas line is the Spurs a -2 underdog. It should prove to be interesting. The Spurs haven't looked so hot lately and the Suns are definitely hungry and apparently healthy again. If I were a betting man, I would take that bet. <p></p><i></i>

I think it'll be closer than last time.<br>
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Spurs 101<br>
Suns 98 <p></p><i></i>

If Richardson and Marion don't disappear like last game it can't help but be closer tonight. <p></p><i></i>