December 1st, 2007 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
One thing can be said about tonight’s matchup between the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns – and it is a rarity these days – both teams’ stats were identical. Both teams took 87 shots each, and they nearly made the same number of free throws (17 for Phoenix, 16 for Orlando). The game was not unlike a chess match, but the checkmate went to Phoenix, as the Suns just got by the Magic 110-106.With the hot shooting of Suns guard Raja Bell, Phoenix gained a 60-50 edge; they were helped by Orlando’s 12 turnovers in the half. But Orlando would slowly chip away at their advantage; the Magic, who were down by 10 starting the fourth quarter, pulled to within 107-106 with 11.4 seconds left in the game on 2 free throws by Rashard Lewis. But the Suns’ Shawn Marion would hit 1 of 2 free throws, Orlando’s Lewis missed a 3-point attempt, then Phoenix’s Steve Nash sealed the Suns win with 2 free throws.
Phoenix had 6 players in double-figures, led by Bell with 20 points; Amare Stoudemire would chip in with 19 and 10 rebounds. Marion added 17, grabbed 9 boards and blocked 4 shots; Nash and Grant Hill poured in 15 each, with Nash dishing out 14 assists. Orlando was led by Dwight Howard with one of his better efforts this season, scoring 30 points and 23 rebounds; Hedo Turkoglu added 25 with 8 rebounds and 6 assists, while Lewis pitched in with 18. Phoenix (12-4) travels east to take on the New York Knicks Sunday, while Orlando (14-4) continues west to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers, also on Sunday.
