Marbury Finds Mark at Just the Right Time

No matter how many shots he has missed, Stephon Marbury is more than willing to take one at the end, and he usually makes it.

Marbury overcame a poor shooting night by hitting a three-point basket with 4.5 seconds to play in overtime to give the Phoenix Suns a 103-100 victory over visiting Minnesota, ending the Timberwolves’ nine-game winning streak.

It was only his seventh basket in 28 attempts on the night. This was nothing new for Marbury. He was one for 11 against Boston on Dec. 27 before his 22-footer with two seconds left gave the Suns an 84-82 victory.

“Every shot that I take, I think I’m going to make it,” Marbury said. “I don’t ever think that I’m going to miss. That’s just my nature. If you don’t have enough confidence in your shot, you shouldn’t shoot the ball.”

The Timberwolves made critical mental mistakes at the end of regulation, when they failed to call a timeout to set up the game-winning shot, and at the end of overtime, when they had a foul to give but allowed Marbury to get off his three-pointer.

“We’ve won because we’ve been smart,” Minnesota Coach Flip Saunders said. “Tonight we weren’t smart. We made stupid plays, and our shot selection was terrible.”

Kevin Garnett scored 24 of his 32 points in the second half but none in overtime. Chauncey Billups scored 26 but only six after halftime. Wally Szczerbiak had 22 points for Minnesota.

Shawn Marion had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix. Bo Outlaw had a season-high 12 points, including four points and a crucial steal in the overtime.

Sun center Jake Voskuhl matched his career highs with 12 points and nine rebounds.

*

Sacramento 121, Golden State 97--Chris Webber had 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists before fouling out at Sacramento as the Kings became the first team to win 11 consecutive games this season.

The Kings have won 15 consecutive games at Arco Arena, where they are an NBA-best 22-1. It was Sacramento’s seventh consecutive victory over the Warriors, who have lost eight of nine games.

*

Denver 96, Seattle 90--Ryan Bowen had 12 points during a 38-7 run that helped rally the Nuggets at Denver.

Voshon Lenard and Avery Johnson each had 10 points during the flurry, which erased a 13-point deficit midway through the third quarter and produced an 18-point lead with 8:32 left.

*

Toronto 89, New Jersey 77--Vince Carter scored 23 points, including six consecutive late in the fourth quarter at Toronto, as the Raptors ended the Nets’ six-game winning streak.

Jason Kidd had 19 points and eight assists for New Jersey, which was trying for its longest winning streak in 18 years.

*

Milwaukee 115, Orlando 110--Sam Cassell scored 26 points, including a key three-pointer and four free throws in the last minute for the victory at Milwaukee.

*

Houston 104, Boston 101--Steve Francis had the fourth triple-double of his career and Moochie Norris made a critical three-pointer with 27 seconds left as the Rockets won at Boston.

*

Detroit 96, Indiana 93--Jerry Stackhouse scored 32 points and Cliff Robinson had 27 at Indianapolis as the Pistons’ ended an 11-game road losing streak.