It took plenty of work for Amare Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns to move into a tie for the Pacific Division lead. Taking sole possession of first place could prove even more difficult.
Fresh off the third-biggest comeback in team history, Stoudemire and the Suns try to halt the Denver Nuggets' eight-game home winning streak on Tuesday when the teams complete a home-and-home series.Phoenix (50-24) and Denver (45-29) have produced three entertaining games so far this season, with the home team winning each time. It didn't appear that trend would continue Monday, when the Nuggets built a 22-point lead in the second quarter and took a 70-51 cushion into halftime.
Instead, Stoudemire helped Phoenix rally. He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and also finished with 14 rebounds as the Suns snapped the Nuggets' five-game winning streak.
"At halftime, we came together and said, 'Let's fight for it,'" Stoudemire said. "We dug in in the second half."
Phoenix also pulled into a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with the Los Angeles Lakers, who are idle Tuesday. The Suns trail New Orleans and San Antonio by one game for the Western Conference lead.
The loss was costly for Denver, which dropped one-half game behind Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The Nuggets also trail seventh-place Dallas by one game.
While Denver sputtered down the stretch Monday, its recent play at home gives it a good chance to recover. The Nuggets are averaging 124.4 points during their home winning streak, which includes a 126-113 victory over the Suns on March 5, when Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony combined for 61 points.
Iverson and Anthony didn't come close to kind of production Monday in Phoenix, managing a total of 39 points. Anthony had just six points and one rebound after halftime.
"We had a total meltdown," Iverson said. "They were better in the second half when it mattered."
Phoenix reached the 50-win plateau for the fourth straight season as Steve Nash had 36 points and eight assists.
"I am proud of them just coming out with defense and offense together in the second half," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It was pretty potent."
The Suns have won 10 of their last 12 games overall, and eight straight against West opponents.
Emotions could run high in this matchup after five technicals were called Monday. Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal, Raja Bell, Suns assistant coach Dan D'Antoni and the Nuggets' Nene all were whistled.
The Suns played without forward Grant Hill, who missed his second consecutive game and 10th of the season with a strained right groin. Hill won't play Tuesday, but may return Friday against Minnesota.
