Nets’ Ninth Straight Victory Is Also Biggest Win of Season
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Nenad Krstic had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Nets won their ninth straight game, holding the Phoenix Suns to their lowest point total of the season in a 110-72 rout last night.
Vince Carter added 20 points for the Nets, who trimmed their magic number to clinch the Atlantic Division to five and the number to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth to two.
The 38-point margin of victory was the biggest of the season for the Nets, whose previous best was a 28-point victory over Golden State on December 18. That came during the Nets’ season high 10-game winning streak from December 16 through January 8.
The margin of defeat was the largest of the season for the Suns, whose previous worst was a 119-90 loss to Sacramento on January 17.The Suns, who entered averaging an NBA-high 108.4 points, hadn’t been held below 85 this season.
Steve Nash, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, was held scoreless for the first time all season.He played 26 minutes. Amare Stoudemire, in just his third game since returning after missing the first 66 after left knee surgery, appeared sluggish and labored in his 15 minutes. He failed to score and grabbed just two rebounds.
The Nets also got 16 points from Richard Jefferson and 11 from Clifford Robinson.
Shawn Marion paced the Suns with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Eddie House added 15 points.
The Nets had lost four straight against the Suns, with the last win coming December 6, 2003.
The Nets took control of the game in the second quarter, going on a 16-4 run over the final 4:10 to close. Carter tossed in a 29-footer to start the run and Krstic had five in the run, giving the Nets a commanding 50-31 lead at the half.
It was the lowest scoring half of the season for the Suns, whose previous worst half was the 34 points they scored against Toronto on November 22 and San Antonio on January 7. The Suns were 12-of-48 for the first half, connecting on just 25%.
The Nets then put away the game in the early stages of the third quarter, scoring on four consecutive breakaway dunks, two of the high-flying variety by Jefferson, pushing the lead to 61-37 with 8:04 left in the period.
During the winning streak, the Nets have held their opponents to under 85 points seven times and held the opposition to under 20 points in seven of the last 12 quarters.
