Nov

26

Barnes Hits Trey To Complete Suns Come Back As They Squeeze By Thunder 99-98

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The run and gun fast break version of the Phoenix Suns were back on the hardwood in the second half of Tuesday night’s match-up between Phoenix and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Phoenix playing without injured center Shaquille O’Neal staged a furious comeback in the fourth quarter to spoil the debut of interim Thunder coach Scott Brooks in Oklahoma City winning 99-98. The Suns led by Steve Nash threading the needle, shot 53.4% (39-73) from the floor for the game with 58 points, in the second half. They overcame an 11 point deficit heading into the last 12 minutes to come away with the victory. Matt Barnes hit the game winning shot, a trey with 25.7 seconds left to play.

The Suns would be on top by a razor thin margin at the end of the first quarter with the score 26-25. The Thunder reigned in the second quarter and would hold a 54-41 lead as the two teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half. Phoenix was able to shave a little off the deficit in the third as they trailed at the end of the quarter 81-70. After trailing the entire period Steve Nash hit an outside jumper with 48 seconds left to tie the game at 96-96. With 34 seconds remaining Chris Wilcox drove the lane for OKC and put the ball up and in, putting his team ahead 98-96. The raucous crowd at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City were silenced when Barnes completed the Phoenix come back with his game winning 25 foot three point shot.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block. Nash recorded a double-double, 20 points, 15 assists, 8 rebounds, Matt Barnes scored 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block. Rookie center Robin Lopez added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, Boris Diaw came off the bench and had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists.

Oklahoma City guard Kevin Durant was the game’s leading scorer as he would drop 29 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal. Chris Wilcox scored 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, rookie guard Russell Westbrook put in 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals. Jeff Green added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, Damien Wilkins had 10 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals. Phoenix is now 10-5 after the win, the Thunder now have a 1-14 record.

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