USA - Okur keeps Suns in the shade

NEW YORK (NBA) - Mehmet Okur made sure the Utah Jazz remain the one team that continue to stump the Phoenix Suns.

The Turkey international scored nine fourth-quarter points, including the go-ahead jumper with five seconds left, as the Jazz posted a 108-105 victory over the Suns, who had their 10-game home winning streak ended.

Okur, who still has an outside chance of making the Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement, collected 29 points and 12 rebounds to help Utah improve to 3-0 against Phoenix this campaign.

It was only the 10th loss of the season for the Suns, who drop behind Dallas in the Western Conference standings as a result.

"They run all night long, they have three All-Star players. This won was huge, especially on the road," Okur said. "We've beat them three times this season, I think we like the challenge."

Steve Nash made three-pointer from the key to give Phoenix a 104-103 advantage with 1:06 remaining, but Okur responded with a hook to reclaim a one-point lead for the Jazz.

France’s Boris Diaw split a pair of free throws, tying the game at 105-105 with just 30 seconds to play. However, Okur hit a 19-foot jumper in the lane to beat the shot clock.

"I saw the clock running down and I just wanted to get a quick dribble and pull up," Okur said. "I create my own space and I have confidence in my shot and I took the shot."

"He is not afraid to shoot the ball and everyone on the team knows that and they are not afraid to throw it to him and let him shoot," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.

Phoenix had chance to tie the game once again, but Diaw missed two critical foul shots with two seconds to go.

Deron Williams had 28 points and 10 assists and Matt Harpring added 12 points off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 50% (44 of 87) from the field.

All-Star Amare Stoudemire collected 28 points and 10 rebounds and Nash chipped in 22 and 10 assists for Phoenix, which shot 53% (39 of 73) but surrendered 21 second-chance points.

The defeat sees the Suns slip to 37-10, one game behind the Dallas Mavericks who beat Minnesota 94-93.

German superstar Dirk Nowitzki took a back seat as Josh Howard and Jason Terry stole the limelight, scoring 22 points apiece while Howard combined with Devean George to make some crucial plays in the closing seconds.

A driving layup by Devin Harris gave Dallas a seemingly comfortable 90-79 lead with 5:50 to play.

But Minnesota went to a zone defence and Kevin Garnett on offence and got back into the game. Consecutive jumpers by Garnett cut the deficit to 92-90 with 1:43 remaining.

After a series of empty possessions, Minnesota's Ricky Davis drove to the basket but had the ball slapped away by George. Davis recovered the ball but had it slapped away again by Howard.

Garnett grabbed the loose ball and Howard stuck in his hand and knocked it away, with the Mavericks taking possession.

Nowitzki made two free throws with 18 seconds to go, allowing Dallas to survive rookie Randy Foye's three-pointer at the buzzer.

Nowitzki scored 18 points on just five of 14 shooting for the Mavericks, who shot under 42% (32 of 77) and won by one point for the second straight game.

Garnett finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

The Memphis Grizzlies wasted 30 points from Spain international Pau Gasol as they lost 116-110 to the Indiana Pacers.

Jermaine O’Neal collected 25 points and 17 rebounds and Ike Diogu scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter for the Pacers, who have won six of seven.

Mike Miller scored 26 for Memphis, who have the worst record in the league.

Team USA star Dwyane Wade collected 32 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as the Miami Heat posted a 117-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jason Kapono scored a career-high 28 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 20 for the Heat.

Mo Williams led the Bucks with a career-high 38 points.

Ben Gordon scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and Team USA guard added 17 and five assists as the Chicago Bulls used a barrage of free throws down the stretch to post an 88-86 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Chris Duhon scored 15 points and Ben Wallace grabbed 12 rebounds for Chicago.

Zach Randolph had 27 points and nine rebounds for Portland.

Eddy Curry scored 27 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-86 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Serbia’s Darko Milicic scored a career-high 19 points for Orlando.

Kobe Bryant got the better of Gilbert Arenas, scoring 39 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Washington Wizards 118-102.

Arenas scored 37 points for the Wizards.

Raymond Felton scored 22 points to lead four starters in double figures as the Charlotte Bobcats posted 98-90 triumph over the Golden State Warriors.

The New Orleans Hornets contained Tracy McGrady as they beat the Houston Rockets 87-74, while Kenyon Martin scored 28 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 94-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

PA Sport