Szczerbiak’s error helps Suns hold on

PHOENIX -- Wally Szczerbiak called a timeout when Seattle had none remaining with 15.1 seconds to play, allowing the Phoenix Suns to pull out a 103-99 victory over the SuperSonics on Friday night.

The Suns went 32 for 32 from the free-throw line, one shy of the franchise record, including three by Steve Nash at the end.

Seattle trailed, 100-99, and had the ball out of bounds beneath its own basket, but Szczerbiak could find no one open and signaled timeout. However, the SuperSonics didn’t have any left, resulting in a technical foul.

Nash made the free throw, then Phoenix retained possession by rule. Nash was fouled and made both free throws for the final margin.

“Now I know how Chris Webber felt in the NCAA tournament,” Szczerbiak said, recalling that long-ago error that helped cost Michigan the national title.

Amare Stoudemire, a career 73% free-throw shooter, made 15 of 15 from the foul line and scored 33 points to lead the Suns. Chris Wilcox led the SuperSonics with 22 points.

Phoenix led, 98-90, after Boris Diaw’s 16-footer with 2:58 to play. But Seattle scored the next nine points to go ahead, 99-98, on Wilcox’s driving nine-footer with 1:04 left.

Diaw missed a drive to the basket but got his own rebound, then Grant Hill made a 16-footer with 28.7 seconds to play to put Phoenix back ahead, 100-99.