PHOENIX, (Reuters) – Steve Nash completed a three-point play in the closing seconds to give the Phoenix Suns a 101-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday as Phoenix managed to maintain their unbeaten home record.
Nash scored 23 points and had nine assists but his most telling contribution came with 38.9 seconds remaining, when he tied the score at 100-100 on a driving layup and added the winning free throw off a Jose Calderon foul on the play.
“Steve’s play was a big play,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. “But overall I thought we just found a way to grind it out. It’s the third game where we won with our defence.
“It’s just a really good win on a night where we didn’t shoot the ball very well,” Gentry added.
The win was Phoenix’s 11th consecutive triumph over the Raptors and improved their NBA-best record to 9-2. Amare Stoudemire paced the Suns, who are 4-0 at home, with 30 points.
“That was great – we definitely wanted the win and wanted to make sure we took care of home court,” Stoudemire said. “That was our main motive out here tonight.”
Centre Channing Frye added 20 points, making six three-pointers, and Jason Richardson grabbed 10 rebounds.
Hedo Turkoglu twice missed shots in the final 32 seconds that could have given Toronto the win. He finished with 20 points, including five in a row that gave the Raptors a 100-98 lead with 51.5 seconds to play.
“We had two great shots (at the end) which is what we wanted,” said Raptors coach Jay Triano. “The three (point attempt by Turkoglu) just went in and out.
“That last shot … was another good look but it just didn’t go in. Can’t really complain about it.”
Forward Chris Bosh led Toronto (5-5) with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while centre Andrea Bargnani finished with 17 points and Marco Belinelli added 11.
