Phoenix Avoids 3rd Straight Loss
PHILADELPHIA — Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points, Raja Bell had 20 and the Phoenix Suns avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season with a 107-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
The Suns lost consecutive road games at Detroit and Boston, yet had little problem thrashing the 76ers. Shaquille O’Neal had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa scored 17 points and Steve Nash had 10 assists.
Andre Miller had 16 points and 10 assists, Lou Williams scored 15 points and Andre Iguodala had 13 for Philadelphia.
The Sixers snapped a three-game winning streak, fell to 11-3 in March and lost for only the second time in their last 14 home games.
Raptors 103, Knicks 95
TORONTO — Chris Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Rasho Nesterovic added 18 points, and Toronto beat New York.
Rasho Nesterovic had 18 points and Anthony Parker added 15 for the Raptors, who won their second in a row after losing 11 of their previous 14.
Pacers 123, Nets 115
INDIANAPOLIS — Danny Granger scored 26 points, and Indiana beat New Jersey to halt a two-game losing skid and boost its playoff hopes.
Troy Murphy had 21 points and 17 rebounds for Indiana after missing the previous game with strep throat.
Hawks 106, Bulls 103
ATLANTA — Mike Bibby scored 30 points and the Hawks held on after nearly blowing a 22-point lead, giving themselves some breathing room in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Spurs 99, Timberwolves 84
SAN ANTONIO — Manu Ginobili 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and San Antonio picked up its sixth straight win.
Celtics 112, Hornets 92
BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett added 21, and the Boston Celtics moved closer to wrapping up the top record overall by avenging last weekend’s loss in New Orleans with a win over the Hornets.
