USA - Bloodied Nash leads Suns to victory

PHOENIX (NBA) - Steve Nash inspired the Phoenix Suns to a record 101-81 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday - with six stitches in his nose.

Nash poured in 20 points and collected 16 assists and Amare Stoudemire added 21 of his 27 points in the second half for the Suns, who rebounded from a tough loss in the series opener to win Game Two of their Western Conference semi-final.

Raja Bell added 18 points for Phoenix, who opened each period with decisive runs to set the tone for the game en route to their largest margin of victory in a play-off game in franchise history.

"It seemed like we were quicker and that's what it takes, you can't always play really well in the play-offs," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.

"You can't play real pretty sometimes. You have to gut it out and grind it out and it will eventually catch on.

"In the meantime, you have to play every position like it is Game Seven, especially against these guys. These guys will do that and hopefully we are learning to do that."

Phoenix suffered a 111-106 defeat in Sunday's series opener. The key moment came with 2:53 remaining, when Nash and Spurs guard Tony Parker collided.

Parker stayed on the floor for a moment and ended up with a bump on his forehead. Nash had a gash across the bridge of his nose that would not stop bleeding despite treatment at nearly every break in the game.

But on Tuesday, Nash put on a virtuoso performance, setting up his team-mates for easy shots and igniting Phoenix's patented fast break.

"Steve is a warrior with the cut on his nose," Stoudemire said.

"He was still able to get inside the paint, draw some fouls, attack the basket and still hit some open jumpers."

In Tuesday`s other match, superstar LeBron James scored 36 points and handed out a play-off career-high 12 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers posted a 102-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets in Game Two of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Sasha Pavlovic scored a play-off career-high 17 points and Drew Gooden added 10 and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who lead the series 2-0 and are two victories away from advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 1992.

Cleveland have also won six straight play-off games for the first time in their history and also have won 10 straight games dating to April 12.

"We just used the momentum from winning our last four games of the regular season, clinching the number two seed, to take the streak to here," Gooden said.

After Jason Kidd drilled a three-pointer to give New Jersey an 81-78 lead with 8:37 remaining, the Cavaliers went on a 13-4 run over the next 4:13, capped by a dunk by Gooden.

"It's definitely a joy knowing when it comes down to the fourth quarter, we have a great opportunity to win the ballgame," James said.

James started the burst with a three-pointer and finished it with a quick pass in the lane to Gooden for the slam and a 91-85 lead.

"LeBron was a man tonight," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said.

Laura Stevenson
FIBA