Spurs snap Suns' 11-game winning streak
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-10 14:20

PHOENIX - Tony Parker scored 29 points — all in the first three quarters — and the San Antonio Spurs raced to a 117-93 victory over short-handed Phoenix on Thursday night, snapping the Suns' 11-game winning streak.

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, center, of France, is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Eddie House, right, as Suns guard Raja Bell, left, loooks on in the fourth quarter of NBA basketball action Thursday, March 9, 2006, in Phoenix. [AP]

The Suns, without Steve Nash and his backup Leandro Barbosa, were no match for the reigning NBA champions, who shot 55 percent in their eighth victory in nine games.

Nash, who had not missed a game all season, sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of Monday night's victory over New Orleans in Oklahoma City. Barbosa was out with right groin pain.

Manu Ginobili added 18 points for San Antonio on 6-for-8 shooting and Tim Duncan scored 16.

The Spurs shut down the Suns' trademark perimeter game. Phoenix made only 3-of-13 3-pointers to San Antonio's 8-of-19.

Boris Diaw had 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Suns, who failed to reach 100 points for the first time in 23 games. Shawn Marion had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Raja Bell scored 16.

The Suns' only lead was 2-0. San Antonio scored the next eight points, led by as many as 15 in the second quarter and was up by 21, 79-58, after Parker's 20-footer with 6:18 to go in the third.

Phoenix used a 9-1 spurt to cut it to 81-69 on Eddie House's driving layup with 2:22 to go in the third. But Parker hit a 21-footer to ignite an 8-2 run that put the Spurs up 89-71 entering the fourth quarter. Phoenix never got closer than 16 after that.

Parker scored 18 and Ginobili 14 to lead San Antonio to a 64-50 halftime lead.

The Spurs shot 61 percent in the first half, 6-for-11 on 3-pointers. The Suns made 58 percent, led by Boris Diaw's 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting.

Phoenix committed two turnovers in a 9-0 Spurs run that put San Antonio up 50-35 with 8:06 left in the half. A pair of baskets by Tim Thomas cut it to 52-43, but Parker and Bruce Bowen each made a pair of long jumpers and the Spurs led 60-45 2:03 before the break.

Everyone was making jumpers early.

The Spurs made 12 of their first 15 attempts and shot 71 percent (15-for-21) while taking a 38-29 first-quarter lead. The Suns shot 61 percent (14-for-23) in the first, but the difference came on 3-pointers, where San Antonio was 4-for-5 and Phoenix 1-for-4. Ginobili and Parker were a combined 9-for-12 in the quarter for 12 points apiece.