PHOENIX – That Sunday showdown in Dallas suddenly looks a lot more interesting for the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns moved within three games of the Mavericks for the final playoff spot in the West, with six games to play, after their 139-111 rout of Sacramento on Friday night and Dallas’ 107-102 loss at Memphis.
Next up are the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.
“We’re Italy going to France playing on their home court for the World Cup,” the Suns’ Grant Hill said, “so, no excuses.”
Steve Nash had 29 points and nine assists, then sat out the fourth quarter with the rest of the starters, resting up for Dallas, where a Phoenix victory could reduce the Mavericks’ lead to two with five games to play.
“If we can cut it to two and really put some pressure on them and see what happens down the stretch, it could fun,” Nash said. “We wanted this game to mean something. We’ve blown some opportunities, but it still means enough.”
Francisco Garcia scored a season-best 29 for the Kings, who beat Phoenix on Sunday in Sacramento. The Kings were without leading scorer Kevin Martin, who sat out with a sprained left ankle two nights after scoring a career-high 50 in Sacramento’s 143-141 loss to Golden State.
Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes had career highs with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Jason Richardson scored 19 points for Phoenix.
The Suns had eight players in double figures.
Magic 116, Cavaliers 87: At Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard had 20 and 11 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic rode a strong second-half start to go ahead by 41 points in the easy win.
Heat 97, Bobcats 92: At Charlotte, N.C., Dwyane Wade had 27 points and 10 assists, and Miami clinched a playoff berth a year after an ugly 15-win season.
Celtics 104, Hawks 92: At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 21 points, and Rajon Rondo had 20 to help Boston won.
Spurs 126, Pacers 121: At Indianapolis, Tony Parker had 31 points and 10 assists, and Tim Duncan had 22 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio.
Timberwolves 103, Jazz 102: At Salt Lake City, Ryan Gomes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with a minute left and Minnesota snapped its nine-game road skid.
Trail Blazers 107, Thunder 72: At Oklahoma City, LaMarcus Aldridge had 35 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for Portland.
Grizzlies 107, Mavericks 102: At Memphis, Tenn., Rudy Gay had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Mike Conley added 25 points in Memphis’ third straight victory.
Lakers 93, Rockets 81: At Los Angeles, Pau Gasol had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Kobe Bryant added 20 points, and Los Angeles Lakers picked up its 60th victory.
Warriors 111, Hornets 103: At Oakland, Calif., Jamal Crawford scored 39 points, and Anthony Randolph had 20 points for Golden State.