News / Sports
NBA Scores: Fourth Quarter Rally Keys Suns Victory Over Spurs; Series Even 2-2
Steve Nash scored 24 points and handed out 15 assists, Amare Stoudemire added 26 points and 9 rebounds and Shawn Marion finished with 12 points and 12 boards as the Phoenix Suns rallied in the fourth quarter to knock off the San Antonio Spurs 104-98 and even their Western Conference playoff series 2-2.
San Antonio led 80-72 entering the fourth quarter and quickly pushed their lead to 11 after a bucket and a free-throw from Tim Duncan. Phoenix cut the lead to three after a 7-0 spurt but Michael Finley ended the run with a three-pointer for the Spurs and pushed the lead back to six with 6:43 left in the game.
Once again the Suns cut into the Spurs lead and got within two only to see Finley burry another triple with 5:20 on the clock. Tony Parker pushed the Spurs lead to seven after hitting four consecutive free-throws and it looked as if San Antonio was poised to take a 3-1 series advantage but a 12-2 run by the Suns turned the game around and Phoenix was quickly in front 100-97 with 18 seconds left in the game.
The Spurs pulled to within two after Finley hit a free-throw after a technical foul was called on Raja Bell. Steve Nash then put the Suns up by four after hitting two from the foul-line.
Finley tried to cut the lead to one with a three pointer with 9 seconds left in the game but his shot fell short and Shawn Marion sealed the game with a pair of free-throws with 7 seconds on the clock.
Phoenix attempted 29 foul-shots in the game compared to just 14 for the Spurs and the Suns out-rebounded San Antonio 42-32.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
The series will now shift back to Phoenix where the two teams will meet on Wednesday in game five of their best of seven series.
