Steve Nash recorded 20 points and 17 assists and Jared Dudley had 21 points off the bench as the host Phoenix Suns beat the injury-ravaged Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-100, on Sunday to end a three-game losing skid.
The Suns trailed throughout the first half, but took control early in the third quarter.
Vince Carter hit a big 3-pointer to extend the lead to 99-94 with 2:40 remaining and the Suns held on for the victory. Carter had 19 points and seven rebounds, Robin Lopez had 15 points and Channing Frye had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns.
J.J. Hickson had 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in his first start at center for the Cavaliers, who learned before the game that Anderson Varejao would be lost for the season with a torn tendon in his ankle.
Undrafted rookie Manny Harris added 27 points and eight rebounds for Cleveland, which went nearly six minutes without a field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Cavaliers are now the owners of a second 10-game losing streak this season. They’ve lost 20 of their last 21 contests.
Cleveland | Phoenix | |
Manny Harris 27 | Scoring | Jared Dudley 21 |
Mo Williams 12 | Assists | Steve Nash 17 |
J.J. Hickson 17 | Rebounds | Channing Frye 12 |
Manny Harris 9 | Free Throws Made | Steve Nash 7 |
Antawn Jamison 3 | Steals | Steve Nash 3 |
Christian Eyenga 2 | Blocks | Channing Frye 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Cleveland | 100 | 36.8 | 6-20 | 24-31 | 24 | 49 | 3 | 10 | 11 |
Phoenix | 108 | 47.0 | 13-28 | 17-23 | 25 | 52 | 10 | 9 | 20 |