Stoudemire Explodes For 49, Suns Scorch Pacers 113-103

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire is an NBA All-Star, this much we know. What we did not know is that after his performance in Wednesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers, he may be a shoo-in as a Western Conference starter for the 2008 All-Star Game. Stoudemire scored 49 points in leading the Suns to a 113-103 victory over the Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

With the Suns behind by eleven after the first period, they rallied in the second frame; Suns guard Raja Bell’s shot cut the Pacers’ lead to 62-59 with 41 seconds left in the half. Indiana’s T.J. Ford responded with a floater; after an offensive foul called on Phoenix’s Grant Hill, Ford would score again, giving the Pacers a 66-59 halftime lead. The Suns took an 86-84 lead on Leandro Barbosa’s 3-pointer; Hill’s layup would make it 88-84, forcing Indiana to take a timeout. Phoenix would hold Indiana scoreless over the final 3:13 of the 3rd quarter and led 90-84 going into the fourth period.

The Suns would take over from that point; after they extended their lead to 98-88 on a hill basket, the Suns held on for the win. Phoenix was led by the aforementioned Stoudemire with 49 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocked shots while Boris Diaw added 14 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots. Indiana was led by Danny Granger and Ford with 23 points each – with Granger grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists with a steal and 2 blocked shots while Ford grabbed 2 boards and dished out 3 assists; Marquis Daniels added 19 with 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Phoenix (4-1) plays again on Friday as they continue their Midwest road trip when they visit Chicago to take on the Bulls while Indiana (1-2) travels east to Ohio as they go up against the Cleveland Cavaliers – also on Friday.

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