Hill, Suns Pull Away From Knicks in 4th
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Grant Hill scored a season-high 28 points, nine during a fourth-quarter flurry that broke open a close game, and the Phoenix Suns pulled away to beat the Knicks 115–104 last night.
Amare Stoudemire added 28 points and 12 rebounds to help the Suns win for the 10th time in 12 games. Phoenix, opening a five-game road trip, also got 15 points from Shawn Marion, and nine points and 15 assists from Steve Nash.
Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury scored 21 points apiece for the Knicks, who played the speedy Suns even for three quarters, keeping the “Fire Isiah!” chants on hold until there were under 4 minutes left. Zach Randolph added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite a terrific start, Phoenix led by only one after three quarters. Hill converted a three-point play to open the fourth, then knocked down three consecutive jumpers to extend the lead to 94-84 less than 11/2 minutes into the period.
Leandro Barbosa added another bucket, and the Knicks didn’t score in the fourth until Fred Jones made a free throw with 8:37 remaining. Phoenix outscored New York 30-20 in the final 12 minutes.
Phoenix certainly got the good start — though sometimes lately the fans are on the Knicks before the game is even under way.
The Suns put on an offensive clinic in the opening minutes, making 12 of their first 17 shots and quickly building a 14-point lead. Randolph kept the game from getting away from the Knicks with 11 points in the opening quarter, which ended with Phoenix ahead 37-29.
New York tied it at 50 on Marbury’s 3-pointer with 3:15 remaining in the half, but Hill hit two jumpers in the final minute to give the Suns a 61-57 lead at the break.
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PISTONS 118, NETS 95
Jason Maxiell had 18 points and 11 rebounds to help the Detroit Pistons rout the Nets 118–95 last night.
With Antonio McDyess in early foul trouble, Maxiell came off the bench and pulled down six offensive rebounds in the first half.
Richard Hamilton added 19 points, Jarvis Hayes had 14, and McDyess 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Detroit won for the sixth time in seven games, and beat the Nets for the fifth straight time.
Vince Carter, back in the starting lineup, led New Jersey with 22 points, and Richard Jefferson added 21. Jason Kidd had a season-best 16 assists.
