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Phoenix Suns beat Dallas Mavericks 115-107
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-06 08:57
DALLAS - After completing his second career triple-double, Phoenix Suns
center Boris Diaw credited his defense for his strong play.
Diaw had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and helped limit Dallas' Dirk
Nowitzki to three points in the fourth quarter as the Suns extended their
winning streak to a season-high 10 games with a 115-107 victory over the
Mavericks on Sunday.
"Right now the best part of my game is my defense,"
said the 6-foot-8 Diaw, who had his hands full guarding the 7-0 Nowitzki. "I'm
always guarding players who are bigger and stronger so I try to use my
quickness."
Steve Nash had 25 points and 11 assists, Shawn Marion had 22 points and 10
rebounds and Leandro Barbosa scored 20 points to help the Suns end the
Mavericks' club-record 16-game home winning streak.
Nowitzki had 25 points and nine rebounds, but went 1-for-5 from the field in
the final quarter.
"They adjusted and double-teamed me," Nowitzki said. "I've got to do a better
job finding the open man. More than anything, we know now we need a little more
consistency for longer stretches."
Marquis Daniels added 22 points and Jason Terry had 21 points for the
Mavericks, who have lost two of three after winning 19 of 20. The two recent
losses have come against Western Conference powers San Antonio and Phoenix.
"We can't panic," Daniels said. "We still feel confident of where we are. All
good things must come to an end. We've got to start a new (home winning
streak)."
Five consecutive points from Diaw put the Suns ahead for good at 102-100 with
4:07 left. Barbosa's layup with 2:57 left and Nash's 3-pointer with 2:25
remaining extended the lead to 107-100.
Dallas got within 109-107 on Terry's 3-pointer with 1:01 left.
However, Marion converted a layup, Raja Bell and Nash hit two free throws
each and the Suns finished the game with a 27-12 spurt over the final 8:31.
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