Marbury Lights It Up, Suns Burn Mavericks

That Jason Kidd-for-Stephon Marbury trade isn’t looking so one-sided these days.

Marbury had 41 points and 11 assists, and committed no turnovers in 46 spectacular minutes to help the Phoenix Suns win Friday at Phoenix, 111-106, handing the Dallas Mavericks their second loss in a row.

“That was awesome,” Sun Coach Frank Johnson said. “Certainly just an amazing performance. When it just looked as though we had no energy, no life, he put life into every last one of us.”

The Suns won their 11th in a row at home. Dallas, coming off a 123-94 loss at Sacramento on Wednesday night, has lost two in a row for the first time.

Steve Nash scored a season-high 32 points, including three three-point baskets in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Marbury, who has averaged more than 30 points in his last six games, was 15 for 28 from the field in his seventh career 40-point game. He had 43 against San Antonio Nov. 29.

Phoenix secured the victory by making 10 of 12 free throws over the last two minutes. The Mavericks shot 23% (six for 26) from the field and were outscored, 33-21, in the fourth quarter.

Casey Jacobsen -- who went six for six from the foul line in the fourth quarter -- made two free throws to put Phoenix up for good at 103-102 with 1 minute 58 seconds remaining.

Denver 97, Cleveland 80 -- Juwan Howard had 25 points and eight rebounds to help the Nuggets win at Denver in a matchup of the teams with NBA’s two worst records. Marcus Camby made his season debut for the Nuggets after being sidelined since having hip surgery on Oct. 10. But he injured his right foot 17 seconds into the game and played only seven minutes.

Boston 98, Indiana 93 -- Paul Pierce scored 31 points and made two key baskets in the fourth quarter at Boston to help the Celtics end the Pacers’ win streak at five. Boston blew a 14-point lead, but scored 12 of the game’s last 14 points. Indiana’s Reggie Miller missed a three-point shot and had a turnover in the final 30 seconds.

Milwaukee 99, Philadelphia 95 -- Ray Allen scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half at Philadelphia, leading the Bucks to their fifth consecutive victory. Philadelphia’s Eric Snow had a chance to tie it with three free throws with 2.4 seconds left, but missed the first attempt.

New Jersey 88, Toronto 77 -- Jason Kidd scored 18 points to help the Nets win at East Rutherford, N.J. The Raptors, who had 29 turnovers, dressed the NBA minimum eight players and were without starters Vince Carter (strained knee) and Voshon Lenard (left ankle sprain).

Golden State 107, Minnesota 98 -- Earl Boykins had 20 of his career-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Warriors win at Oakland. Gilbert Arenas had 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Warriors, who took control with a 21-8 run in the fourth quarter.

Seattle 103, Memphis 97 -- Gary Payton scored seven of his 27 points in overtime at Seattle to help the SuperSonics end a losing streak at six.

San Antonio 106, Atlanta 93 -- Tim Duncan scored 27 points and the host Spurs broke the game open with a 9-0 run to open the fourth quarter, leading, 80-62, with 10:48 left.

Detroit 99, New York 82 -- Cliff Robinson scored 22 points in three quarters to help the Pistons pull away with a 16-0 run at the end of the third quarter at Auburn Hills, Mich.

New Orleans 90, Chicago 83 -- David Wesley scored a season-high 34 points at New Orleans for the Hornets, who ended a losing streak at five.