Suns Squeak by Seattle in Big Showdown

Joe Johnson had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Steve Nash and Shawn Marion each scored 21 as the Phoenix Suns beat the SuperSonics, 112-110, at Seattle on Friday in a showdown between the NBA’s top two teams.

Phoenix became the first club to win 20 games this season, but it had to outlast Seattle in an exciting fourth quarter.

Phoenix (20-3) led, 107-104, with the clock running down when Seattle’s Luke Ridnour missed a three-pointer from the right wing with 11.9 seconds left.

The SuperSonics (18-5) had just moved the ball around the perimeter for three decent looks, but Rashard Lewis missed an inside try, and Vladimir Radmanovic missed a three-pointer.

Marion made two free throws, but Ray Allen made a three-pointer with four seconds to play to get Seattle to within two. Nash was fouled immediately, hitting both shots to give Phoenix a 111-107 lead.

The Suns needed every point, because Lewis took an inbounds pass and hit a three-pointer with 0.5 of a second on the clock. Marion was fouled and added one free throw to seal the win.

*

Memphis 89, New Jersey 84 -- Jason Williams had a season-high 27 points and six assists to lead the Grizzlies at home against the short-handed Nets.

The Nets hope to get help soon from Vince Carter, acquired from Toronto. The trade and a groin injury to reserve guard Travis Best left them with only eight available players.

*

New York 113, Philadelphia 107 -- The Knicks’ Allan Houston hit the tying three-pointer with 0.4 of a second left in regulation at Philadelphia and Kurt Thomas scored six points in overtime.

Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 27 points and Houston had 15.

Kenny Thomas scored 26 points and Allen Iverson had 24 for the 76ers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

*

Portland 100, Atlanta 84 -- Zach Randolph scored 23 points, and Darius Miles added 20 to lead the Trail Blazers at Atlanta.

Rookie Josh Smith led the Hawks with 14 points.

*

Boston 114, Utah 106 -- The Celtics’ Gary Payton scored a season-high 27 points and added 11 assists at Boston.

The Jazz played its third game in four nights and is 2-9 in the last 11.

*

San Antonio 83, New Orleans 67 -- Tim Duncan had 19 points and 12 rebounds at New Orleans to lead the Spurs to their third straight victory and 11th win in 13 games.

Lee Nailon, who missed five games because of a strained groin, scored 22 points, and P.J. Brown added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.

*

Houston 100, Golden State 83 -- Tracy McGrady had 27 points and nine rebounds, and Yao Ming added 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds for the Rockets at home.

Houston, which is 27th in the NBA in rebounding, had a season-high 65. Jason Richardson led the Warriors with 25 points.

*

Miami 107, Denver 100 -- Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, and Shaquille O’Neal had 20 at Miami to help the Heat win their seventh straight game.

The defeat was doubly tough for the Nuggets, who lost forward Carmelo Anthony to a sprained left ankle.