Nash leads Suns to 60th win, Lakers slump continues
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-04-14 14:42
 Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson (L) and assistant coach Kurt Rambis (R) yell out during the third quarter of their NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Arizona, April 13, 2007. [Reuters]  |
Amare Stoudemire added 15 points and 16 rebounds to help the Suns to their fourth straight win and 60th of the season.
"Our defense was stellar and Raja Bell, I don't know how you can play any better defense than what he did," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters.
The loss was the sixth in seven games for the Lakers, who hold a precarious half-game lead over the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers for the seventh of eight Western Conference playoff spots.
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant scored only 17 points, making just seven of 26 shots from the floor.
"I didn't like our finish tonight," Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters. "Kobe was not his usual self. He didn't have the energy tonight. Lamar (Odom) had a tough night out there shooting as well."
Still the Lakers trailed by only three at 82-79 with 3:41 left in the game.
But Nash and Stoudemire hit back-to-back jump shots to push the Suns' lead to 86-79.
Los Angeles pulled within five on Odum's layup at 1:58, but the Suns outscored the Lakers 5-3 the remainder of the game.
"I think that we've been a pretty good do-or-die team all year," Bryant told reporters. "When we're faced with a huge challenge and our backs are against the wall, we come out and play well. We don't have much of a choice now."
* Carlos Boozer had 32 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists as the Utah Jazz ended a five-game losing streak with a 104-89 road win over the Dallas Mavericks.
* Jason Kidd recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season to help the New Jersey Nets eliminate the New York Knicks from the playoff race with a 100-86 home win.
* The San Antonio Spurs won their sixth game in a row with a 110-91 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
* Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and Shaquille O'Neal had 21 for the game as the Miami Heat posted a 100-96 home win over the Indian Pacers.
*T he Washington Wizards ended a six-game skid with a 98-85 road win over the depleted Atlanta Hawks.
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