twenty-three and eight

Back to back one-possession games. The Suns had up to a 17 point lead at one stretch of the game, but let the lead slip until Toronto (13 - 19) actually took a one point lead over the Suns. Stoudemire played a good game, but fouled out with a couple of minutes to go in this close game. Nash then stepped it up. He'd been cold most of the game, getting only 2 points in the first three quarters, but turned it up at the end of the fourth adding 13 points. The Raptors hit a clutch three, but Nash answered. The Suns were up by one and the Raptors pushed ahead, but Raja Bell took a charge. That gave the Suns the one point lead and the ball back with just over four seconds left. They got the ball in to Marion, who was fouled immediately, and he made one of two free-throws; the Raptors didn't have a time out left but got up the floor quickly to try a three to win, but the miss was a bad one, and the Suns won by two, 100 - 98. The Suns now have the second best record in the NBA, half a game ahead of San Antonio (23 - 9), one and a half behind Dallas (25 - 7, 11 game winning streak right now). The Suns take on the Heat at home in Phoenix this Friday.