Marion leads Suns to crushing win over Nuggets
Updated: 2008-01-08 21:15
PHOENIX - Shawn Marion scored 27 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked six shots to help the Phoenix Suns end the Denver Nuggets' three-game winning streak with a crushing 137-115 home victory on Monday.
In a showdown of division leaders, Marion also had five three-pointers as Phoenix made 20 in total, one short of the NBA record.
Marcus Banks added 23 points, connecting on seven of eight three-point attempts.
"That was huge," Suns center Amare Stoudemire told reporters. "Marcus played phenomenal out there with guarding Allen Iverson and also shooting the ball well from deep. That is something that we need and it was a spark."
Stoudemire and Grant Hill each had 20 points for the Pacific Division-leading Suns (24-10), who won for the 11th time in 15 home games.
Stoudemire also had 10 rebounds and team mate Steve Nash added 13 points and 10 assists.
Phoenix put on an awesome offensive display in the first quarter, scoring 46 points with Marion getting 10 and Stoudemire nine.
"They got happy and they got cocky and they rubbed our faces in the game a little bit," Nuggets coach George Karl told reporters. "It'll be fun the next time we play them."
Iverson scored 17 of Denver's 34 points in the first quarter and finished with 32. Carmelo Anthony added 20 for the Nuggets (21-13), the joint Northwest Division leaders.
* Baron Davis had 34 points and 14 assists and Stephen Jackson scored 29 points, 12 of them in overtime, as the Golden State Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 130-121.
Tim Duncan had 32 points and 13 rebounds and Tony Parker scored 31 points and had eight assists for the Spurs.
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