Suns Hit 20 3-Pointers to Crush Nuggets

[January 08, 2008]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Shawn Marion scored a season-high 27 points, had six blocked shots, and hit five of Phoenix's 20 3-pointers to lead the Suns to a 137-115 romp over the Denver Nuggets in a matchup of division leaders Monday night.

Marcus Banks, who has played his way back into the Suns' rotation, made a career-high seven 3s -- in eight attempts -- en route to a season-best 23 points. The 20 3-pointers matched a franchise record and were one shy of the NBA record set by Toronto on March 13, 2005.

The Suns jumped out to a 17-6 lead, were up by 23 in the second quarter and 25 in the third in their best offensive showings of the season after a disappointing 118-113 home loss to New Orleans on Saturday.

Marion made 11-of-15 shots and grabbed 14 rebounds before leaving with 4:23 to play. The five 3-pointers, all of which came in the first half, matched a career-high. He equaled his career high with the six blocks. It was the fifth time Marion has had five 3s or six blocks.

Grant Hill added 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds as six Suns reached double figures.

Allen Iverson scored 32 for the Nuggets, 17 in the first quarter when his team fell behind 46-34. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points in Denver's second loss in eight games.

Down 90-65 early in the quarter, the Nuggets used a 11-2 run to cut it to 101-90 on Camby's three-point play with 25.6 seconds left in the third. But Stoudemire sank a 16-footer, Iverson missed two free throws and Leandro Barbosa made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to boost Phoenix's lead to 106-90 entering the fourth.

Denver, coming off a home victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, closed to 112-99 on Nene's fastbreak layup with 6:48 remaining, but Banks ended any comeback hopes with a pair of 3s.

Marion was 5-for-7 on 3s in the first half. He scored 11 straight Phoenix points, three of them on 3-pointers, to put the Suns up 70-47 with 3:18 to play in the second quarter.

The first half ended after Brian Skinner drew an offensive foul on Kenyon Martin, then made -- what else? -- a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 78-59. It was Skinner's second career 3-pointer. His first, from about 40 feet, came earlier this year at the halftime buzzer against Sacramento.

Phoenix made 11-of-15 3s in their second-highest-scoring half of the season. The Suns shot 60 percent in the first half and were led by Marion with 21 points.

Phoenix made nine of its first 10 shots en route to a 46-point first quarter. A 15-2 run put Phoenix ahead 17-6. The Suns shot 69 percent in the first quarter (20-for-29) and led 46-34 after one.

Marion had 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the opening period.

The Suns kept it going in the second quarter. Hill scored seven in a row and Banks capped a 9-2 spurt with a 3-pointer to give Phoenix a 59-38 lead with 8:10 left in the half.

Notes: Phoenix raced to its big first-half lead despite foul trouble. Boris Diaw had four and Marion, Stoudemire and Hill three apiece. ... Stoudemire missed practice on Tuesday, saying he needed to stay home with his ill son. ... Iverson entered the contest scoring 21.8 points per game against the Suns, his lowest average against any NBA team.

[Associated Press; By BOB BAUM]

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