Nash’s 20-20 Vision Helps Suns Edge 76ers 119-115

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Apparently, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash must have discovered a “fountain of youth” as of late. And this is keeping in mind that he played a game Sunday at Washington. In any case, the Suns visited Wachovia Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers; certainly, Phoenix needed Nash’s best efforts. And without a doubt, Nash delivered as he and Jason Richardson combined for 50 points in leading the Suns past the 76ers 119-115.

The first quarter was evenly played, although Richardson did show off his scoring chops by pouring in 11 points, allowing Phoenix to go into the second quarter down by only two at 27-25. But Philadelphia would storm back in the second period as they went on a 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Jrue Holiday, padding the Sixers’ lead to 40-28; Leandro Barbosa’s layup with 6:48 left in the half reduced the Suns’ deficit to nine. Andre Iguodala would drain a jumper at the 53 second mark, giving Philadelphia their largest lead of the game at 65-49; they would go into halftime leading 66-54.

Nash would rally the Suns with his nine points in the third quarter as they outscored the Sixers 30-20 to get to within 86-84. Entering the fourth quarter, Philadelphia would take a 102-94 lead on a Marreese Spreights basket with 7:07 remaining in the game; however, the Suns responded with a brief 6-0 spurt on a pair of treys by Jared Dudley to close to within 102-100 less than a minute later. With the score tied at 106-all, Dudley grabbed an offensive board and scored; Phoenix would then score five of the next seven points as Richardson converted a three-point play and a layup to take a 113-108 lead and ice the game.

Six Suns scored in double-digits, led by Richardson’s 29 points (including 6 three-pointers), 8 rebounds and 2 assists while Nash notched a 20-20 night, scoring 21 points with 2 rebounds, 20 assists and a block, but committing 7 turnovers; Dudley came off the bench to add 18 with 5 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals while Amare Stoudemire chipped in 17 with 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Iguodala with 24 points with 9 rebounds and an assist while Spreights scored 20 with 8 rebounds and an assist; Thaddeus Young chipped in 15 with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. Phoenix (7-1) plays again on Wednesday when they host the New Orleans Hornets while Philadelphia (3-4) visits the Izod Center when they take on the New Jersey Nets – also on Wednesday night.

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