Nash’s Clutch 3-Pointer Pushes Suns Past Lakers
PHOENIX, April 23 -- Tim Thomas and Leandro Barbosa provided a spark. But when the Phoenix Suns needed a win, they turned to Steve Nash.
Nash made a clutch 3-pointer and two important free throws in the final 67 seconds as the Phoenix Suns hung on for a 107-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of their Western Conference first-round series.
Nash had 20 points and 10 assists for the second-seeded Suns, who blew a 14-point lead but recovered with instant offense from Thomas and Barbosa and the leadership of Nash, their All-Star point guard.
The reigning MVP, Nash got off to a quick start but was quiet in the second half as the Lakers climbed back into the game. The Suns were clinging to a 98-95 lead when Raja Bell missed a tough runner.
However, Boris Diaw grabbed the offensive rebound and shoveled the ball to Nash, who launched a 3-pointer very early in the shot clock that splashed through, doubling the lead with 1:07 to go.
After a 3-pointer by Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant - who had an uncharacteristically quiet game - made it 103-100 with 17 seconds remaining, Nash essentially sealed it with two free throws.
The Suns had gotten a break moments earlier. They were holding a 101-97 lead when Bryant drove to the basket and was swiped across the face by Thomas. His lost his balance and missed the shot, but no foul was called.
Signed by the Suns less than two months ago, Thomas had perhaps the best playoff game of his career with 22 points and 15 rebounds. He made his first eight shots, including a 3-pointer with 9 1/2 minutes left that gave Phoenix the lead for good at 82-80.
Barbosa scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, breathing some life into the league's best offense which had stagnated in the second half. His 3-pointer at the 3:44 mark opened a 98-89 advantage.
Shawn Marion scored 19 points and Diaw added 15 for the Suns, who shot spectacularly from the lines. They made 9-of-20 3-pointers and 32-of-35 free throws.
Bryant scored 22 points on just 7-of-21 shooting. During the season, he led the NBA at better than 35 points per game and averaged more than 42 vs. Phoenix.
Lamar Odom had 21 points and 14 rebounds and Luke Walton scored 19 points for the Lakers, who had all five starters in double figures and held a 47-36 advantage on the glass
