Amare’s Double-Double Helps Phoenix Knock Kings Off Throne 127-99

Amare Stoudemire recorded a double-double, the Phoenix shot at a white hot clip of 60.8% (48-79) from the floor for the game and a very impressive 57.9% (11-19) from outside the arc as they just pummeled the Sacramento Kings 127-99 Saturday night. the win was the fourth victory in a row for Phoenix and leaves them just 1.5 games behind Los Angeles for the lead in the NBA Pacific Division.

This game essentially ended at the end of the first half. The two teams played competitively for the first quarter, as Phoenix had a slim lead after the first quarter at 37-34. But in the second quarter Sarmento’s offense went stone cold while Phoenix kept hitting everything. The result was the Suns walking into the locker room a the half the proud owners of a 79-48 lead. The third quarter was actually saw the Kings come out of their purple haze, as they cut into the lead but still trailed by 22 points, as the teams went into the final 12 minutes of play with Phoenix up 101-79. Sacramento never got any closer than 18 points down at any time of the fourth quarter.

Amare Stoudemire scored a game high 30 points, grabbed 10 boards, 1 steal, 1 block in the Phoenix victory. Gordan Giricek the guy that Philadelphia didn’t think could help them, looked pretty good in a Suns uniform as he scored 23 points off the bench, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, Steve Nash scored 18 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. The “Big Cactus” Shaquille O’Neal had a nice night scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, Leandro Barbosa scored 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal.

“Tru Warrior” Ron Artest led the Kings with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 assists. Kevin Martin scored 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, Shelden Williams came off the bench scored 11 points, 7 boards, 1 steal. Mikki Moore scored 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, Brad Miller scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists. Phoenix is now 44-22, the Kings are 29-36.