???????????????????????????????????? Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire puts up a shot as Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, left, looks on and Clippers forward Al Thornton (12) guards during the first half of their game, played Thursday night. Stoudemire scored 30 points, leading Phoenix to the win over Los Angeles 108-88.

Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire - in my opinion the best center in the Western Conference, with apologies to Yao - made the Staples Center his personal basketball court as he dominated Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, leading the Suns to a convincing victory over the Clippers Thursday.

Phoenix were up 27-20 after one period and opened the lead to 54-32 on Leandro Barbosa’s 3-pointer with 2:39 left before halftime.? The Suns would hold onto a 59-40 lead at halftime, with Stoudemire scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds - all in the first half.? The Suns would open the gap to as many as 36 points, the last time a 79-43 lead midway through the third quarter.? As you can ascertain, the Suns held onto the lead for the rest of the game.

Phoenix’s high scorer was Stoudemire with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.? Grant Hill and Barbosa added 16 points each; Barbosa also recorded 4 rebounds and 6 assists, while Steve Nash had a below-average effort scoring-wise with only 9 points but dishing out 12 assists.? Los Angeles was led by Corey Maggette with 21 points, while Cuttino Mobley and Al Thornton added 14 apiece.? Phoenix (20-9) and Los Angeles (9-18) have a rematch Friday, this time at Phoenix.


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