Suns stay unbeaten, run past Heat 104-96

By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer Nov 3, 11:05 pm EST

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MIAMI (AP)—Sluggish at times offensively, the high-octane Phoenix Suns unveiled a new wrinkle.

Zone defense, of all things, kept the Suns unbeaten.

Steve Nash(notes) scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half, added eight assists and the Suns used a dominant fourth quarter to beat the Miami Heat 104-96 in a matchup of NBA unbeatens Tuesday night.

“We’ve been working on it a little bit, but we haven’t really used it much or had much success,” Nash said of the zone, which Phoenix displayed in the second half for the first time this season. “I was just glad, more than surprised. It really came up well for us tonight.”

Sure did: Miami shot 35 percent in the second half, 23 percent in the fourth quarter. Phoenix missed fewer shots (15) in the entire second half than the Heat did (18) in the final 11 1/2 minutes.

Amare Stoudemire finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Phoenix, which overcame its largest deficit of the season. Jason Richardson(notes) scored 10 of his 14 points in the final period for the Suns, who are 4-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

“We don’t read anything into being 4-0. We really don’t,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry said.

Miami got 23 points from Dwyane Wade(notes) and 18 from Quentin Richardson(notes). The Heat (3-1) were bidding for their first 4-0 start in five years, and only the second in the franchise’s 22-year history.

“The zone changed our rhythm,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We didn’t have a lot of answers for that.”

Phoenix came in averaging an NBA-best 117.3 points per game, and struggled during many stretches of the first three quarters.

The fourth, all Suns.

Jared Dudley’s(notes) driving three-point play with 7:03 left put Phoenix up 87-84, and for good. Nash capped it with 2:13 left, dribbling away from a Miami double-team for a three-point play that made it 102-93.

Nash made 10 of his final 11 shots, the only miss in the final 27 minutes being a turnaround 17-footer with 3:24 left in the third.

“I didn’t really play great in the first half,” Nash said. “I didn’t get a lot of opportunities, made some turnovers, so I wanted to get aggressive, give my teammates a chance to get back in the game—and got on a roll a little bit.”

The 35-year-old Nash is averaging 21.5 points and 12.5 assists so far, getting 17 points in the third quarter alone.

“He came out in that third quarter and put on a clinic,” Suns forward Grant Hill(notes) said. “It was really fun to watch.”

Hill scored 10 points with 12 rebounds for the Suns. Jermaine O’Neal(notes)— playing with a broken nose—scored 14, Michael Beasley(notes) added 12 and Udonis Haslem(notes) finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Heat.

After the game, playing zone drew a lot of talk in the Suns locker room— and a bit of ire in the Heat locker room.

“I thought the zone was for college, personally,” Quentin Richardson said. “I thought that was the difference between the NBA and college.”

Miami led 26-23 after the opening quarter, which represented a small victory: It was Phoenix’s lowest-scoring period of the season. The Suns had scored 24 on three occasions.

Points were even tougher for Phoenix to come by in the second.

The Suns managed only 21 in that quarter and trailed by more than 10 points for the first time in this young season. Wade’s fast break dunk with 2:54 left put Miami up 50-37 and capped a 17-1 Heat run.

The Heat had another big burst in the third, scoring 11 straight to go up 68-56. They were outscored 48-28 the rest of the way, and Wade tipped his cap to Nash.

“That’s greatness,” Wade said. “You expect nothing but that out of him.”

NOTES: Haslem tied a team record with three straight double-digit rebound games off the bench. … It took Wade nearly 5 minutes to take his first shot; all nine other starters had gotten at least one try off to that point. … The Heat were without Daequan Cook(notes) (right shoulder strain), who said he’ll miss Wednesday’s game at Washington as well. Phoenix played without Leandro Barbosa(notes), who has battled a sore right wrist since the summer. Barbosa played in the Suns’ first three games, but was courtside Tuesday with a brace over his wrist.

Updated Nov 3, 11:05 pm EST
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Sun Nov 29, 2009, 6:00 pm EST

Phoenix at New York

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40 Comments

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  1. <i>carlosagosto10</i>
    40. Posted by carlosagosto10 Thu Nov 5 9:05pm EST

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    Give more time to Carlitos Arroyo and you see !!!
  2. Dunnisher
    39. Posted by Dunnisher Wed Nov 4 8:15pm EST

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    @ Cotton Piquer

    If you actually read my post, you would see that I said zone defense has been "legal" for the past few years in the NBA. I said nothing about how long it has been utilized. FACT!! Get yours straight before you post.
  3. tony s
    38. Posted by tony s Wed Nov 4 7:15pm EST

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    ( Nash said of the zone, which Phoenix displayed in the second half for the first time this season. “I was just glad, more than surprised. It really came up well for us tonight.)
    NASH IS SURPRISED THAT "DEFENSE" ACTUALLY WORKS WHEN APPLIED. THE GUY IS SUCH A BONE HEAD. YOU CAN SEE MORE CHAMPIONSHIP POSTERS ON AZCENTRAL. THEY'RE REALLY FUNNY. GO MAV'S
  4. David M
    37. Posted by David M Wed Nov 4 4:16pm EST

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    lol phoenix is not back...we still got other teams to worry about then the suns lol...we still have to beat the blazers at the rose...avenge our loss from dallas, face the nuggets, a healthy clippers team, get utah again since their coming for revenge, the spurs, the rockets cuz for some reason they give us legitimate competition and then we can deal with the cupcake eastern conference team and then with time given the suns lol
  5. <i>adrian_coria787</i>
    36. Posted by adrian_coria787 Wed Nov 4 12:44pm EST

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    phoenix is back!!!!! look out lakers you aint the only competing in the division
  6. fidelo
    35. Posted by fidelo Wed Nov 4 12:29pm EST

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    Jeff w, i agree with you on the MVP for Dwade. But to go as far as calling the other MVP a rapist?
    Shoot foo, maibey you should look up the difference between adultery and raping.
  7. ao
    34. Posted by ao Wed Nov 4 12:21pm EST

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    lol Q come on man, the new haircut gone to your head. Nash is killin it so far this year
  8. Go Suns!
    33. Posted by Go Suns! Wed Nov 4 12:19pm EST

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    This is one of the most diverse team in the NBA, Rookies to Retirees, MVP's to 'whodats?'

    Sure Nash, Hill, Stoudemire, Barbosa, and Richardson are the veteran core of this team but its Phoenixs' bench thats surpirsing me and that my friends is whats going to determine how far they'll take it into the post season...

    Dudley's and Amundson been consistant and frankly great... Collins came in and made things happen 3 times in a row... wtf?!? How bout that Grojan Drajurck#$%&# or whatever his name is, you know Steve's backup PG... he 's been consistantly good but not sure what happend to his free-throw shooting. He's better than that. I'm truly bummed about Lopez. This was his chance to replace Shaq at the 'C'. And the latest Suns seasoned newbie from UofA, Frye. Great pickup...

    Agreed that its a surprise to see them 4-0 and an undefeated (til now) Miami was their first real test. With Orlando and Boston coming up, this will test their hearts and will to win and showcase their talents amongs the leagues best.

    Flying under the radar at 4-0 as the NBA's underdogs...Go Suns!
  9. Jeff W
    32. Posted by Jeff W Wed Nov 4 11:12am EST

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    D Wade doesn't anally rape anybody and he shakes your hand when he loses.

    Class guy. MVP.
  10. <i>luckyvanphiri</i>
    31. Posted by luckyvanphiri Wed Nov 4 10:34am EST

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    Phoenix is actually surprising me.
  11. <i>longrangevertical</i>
    30. Posted by longrangevertical Wed Nov 4 8:34am EST

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    Wow, watched this entire game and it was a great one, especially the second half!
    Grant Hill looked really explosive! Nice to see him playing so well late in his career. His mileage is low.

    Nash stepped it up & showed why is is one of the all time greats! The guy is AMAZING!

    Heat need to let Maro Chalmers do more.
  12. <i>eliboy_entdoc</i>
    29. Posted by eliboy_entdoc Wed Nov 4 8:02am EST

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    great job nashy. but d wade .you're still the man.
  13. <i>sparda2020</i>
    28. Posted by sparda2020 Wed Nov 4 7:47am EST

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    nash for mvp...all you nash haters now understand that last year was a bad year for nash because of the coach's playing style
  14. Ken-Qpid
    27. Posted by Ken-Qpid Wed Nov 4 5:43am EST

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    at 35?..and it looks like Steve Nash is playing in his rookie years, wow! smells like another MVP award is in the plate.

    true, indeed...*Cotton Piquer.
  15. who
    26. Posted by who Wed Nov 4 4:18am EST

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    wade along with lebron , zone defense is always there weakness by the way i think amare has now adjusted and he is now a better rebounder which he should suppose to be. He does not need to score a lot he needs to rebound and low post. Now he understands it. by the way the glasses makes him look like moses malone
  16. Larry
    25. Posted by Larry Wed Nov 4 1:58am EST

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    Steve Nash....the AGELESS WONDER!!
  17. Bob Saget
    24. Posted by Bob Saget Wed Nov 4 1:13am EST

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    Nash is amazing this year!!! He is the most clutch player in the NBA, he could be 0 for 15 but when they need a big shot or pass Nash Always Delivers, GO SUNS
  18. MAX_IN_MISSOURI
    23. Posted by MAX_IN_MISSOURI Wed Nov 4 1:04am EST

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    The Suns are officially the most overrated team in the NBA right now lol
  19. <i>chivas480</i>
    22. Posted by chivas480 Wed Nov 4 12:38am EST

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    Yes, unbeaten. The word does not factor in schedule. Winning 4 games in a row is no small task in any sport in any part of the season. Amare better step it up though if they are looking to make a run to the playoffs, and if he wants that fat paycheck like I know he does. Nashty is ageless. Go Suns!
  20. Alex
    21. Posted by Alex Wed Nov 4 12:36am EST

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    “I thought the zone was for college, personally,” Quentin Richardson said. “I thought that was the difference between the NBA and college.”

    I normally don't comment on articles, but, Q, do you really think that was wise to say? Zone is for college...yet, your offense couldn't beat it. Perhaps winning games is 'for college' too.
  21. Texas_Hurricane
    20. Posted by Texas_Hurricane Wed Nov 4 12:04am EST

    Report Abuse

    unbeaten?

    Come On-They've Played The Clippers-Warriors-Timberwolves & Heat.

    "WOW" What A Difficult Schedule....
  22. John F
    19. Posted by John F Tue Nov 3 11:58pm EST

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    To all the ignorant and stupid haters of Steve Nash.....SHUT-UP!!!!!!!

    Steve Nash ain't over the hill, Steve Kerr (@#$%) made him look old last year. Now lo and behold, Nash is back!

    He will make the All-Star games until he retires. The man is only 35 years old, too young to be called over the hill.

    He's a ONCE IN A LIFE-TIME LEGEND!!!!
  23. <i>hughesbrothersllc</i>
    18. Posted by hughesbrothersllc Tue Nov 3 11:51pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Even at an old age Nash is still throwing dimes and scoring like he is in his prime. With a high octane offence like this the Suns are playing like the Saints of basketball.
  24. Cotton Piquer
    17. Posted by Cotton Piquer Tue Nov 3 11:44pm EST

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    Dunnisher

    U thought wrong. The Lakers with Magic & Kareem played ZONE DEFENSE always, when it was against the NBA rules. They did it because Magic could not defend quicker PG ( all PG were quicker than Magic) & Kareeem was over 35 & as slow as Laimbeer. FACT!

    Nash shot 11-15 & scored 25 in the 2nd half. Nash scored 15 in the last 10 miutes two games ago.
    Nash does not need to take 25-38 shots like Lebronze, Kobiotch, D-Wade, Iverson, etc. to LEAD
    his team to victory! That is why he is more valuable than any of them!
  25. Steven
    16. Posted by Steven Tue Nov 3 11:43pm EST

    Report Abuse

    how is he so good at 35? he might not retire till he is 45 or something he is good.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Phoenix
S. Nash Steve Nash
11-15,  30 Pts
3 Rebs, 8 Assists
 Miami
D. Wade Dwyane Wade
7-18,  23 Pts
9 Rebs, 7 Assists

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