Preseason: Phoenix 111, Sacramento 94
(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-20 15:24
PHOENIX -- Shawn Marion and Steve Nash sparked Phoenix's 43-point third
quarter and the Suns rallied to beat the Sacramento Kings 111-94 on Thursday
night.
After trailing by three points at halftime following a 10-point second
quarter, the fast-breaking Suns (2-2) got their offense into gear in the third
period and emerged with an 85-72 lead. Marion, who had only six points in the
first half, scored 14 in the decisive period, capping his burst with a 3-pointer
just before the buzzer.
Nash, the NBA's two-time most valuable player, had 11 points and five assists
in the quarter. In the period, when the Suns made the first three baskets and
took the lead for good, 48-45, they shot 62 percent (15-for-23).
Marion finished with 20 points and eight rebounds and Nash wound up with 17
points and 13 assists. James Jones added 14 points, including three 3-pointers.
John Salmons led the Kings (2-1) with 15 points, Ron Artest had 14 and Ronnie
Price scored 12.
The Suns used a 13-0 run midway through the first quarter to build a 32-21
advantage by the end of the period. In the quarter, they shot a sizzling 67
percent (14-for-21), but their shooting went sour in the second period
(3-for-19, 16 percent) and Sacramento took advantage to outscore them 24-10 and
forge a 45-42 halftime lead.
Artest led the Kings with 10 points at halftime, while Nash had six points
and eight assists for the Suns.
The Suns' Raja Bell was charged with a flagrant foul with 8:29 remaining in
the third period when he almost came to blows with the Kings' Brad Miller. They
were quickly separated.
This was the first of six exhibition games in nine days for the Kings. The
Suns have only two games remaining before the regular season opens Oct. 31.
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