The Arizona Republic
By BOB YOUNG
The Arizona Republic
CHICAGO – Maybe nobody took yesterday’s major trade harder than Phoenix Suns rookie Leandro Barbosa, who saw his friend and mentor Stephon Marbury shipped to New York.
And maybe nobody stands to gain more from the deal than Barbosa.
The Brazilian point guard had a career-high 27 points on 11-of-18 shooting, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in a breakout performance at the United Center.
It wasn’t enough for the shorthanded Suns to avoid an 87-82 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The Suns had a chance to tie it, but Shawn Marion’s three-point attempt missed in the final 10 seconds.
“It’s a good situation for me and a bad situation because of the guys who were traded,” Barbosa said. “I’m very sad about this. I never see this. But we have to keep our head up and keep going.”
Nobody was closer to Barbosa than Marbury, who bought him a sport utility vehicle early this season and took him under his wing.
“A lot of guys say in the NBA, and I believe this, ‘It is business,’ ” Barbosa said. “I cried when I know (Marbury) is traded. And P (Penny Hardaway), too. I’m very sad after this game. I will go call him.”
Pacers 87, Heat 65: At Miami, Jermaine O’Neal had his eighth consecutive double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds and Indiana earned its fifth win in a row.
Ex-Arizona Wildcat Loren Woods wasn’t with the Heat after being suspended for one game for unspecified conduct detrimental to the team during Friday’s win.
Spurs 98, Nuggets 74: At Denver, Tim Duncan had 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists and San Antonio won for the 14th time in 15 games.
Duncan shot 10 for 15 from the field in recording his 28th double-double of the season and the 373rd of his career.
Jazz 108, Mavericks 94: At Salt Lake City, Raja Bell matched his career high with 25 points and Andrei Kirilenko added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz.
Utah played without head coach Jerry Sloan and leading scorer Matt Harpring. Sloan missed the game to be with his wife, Bobbye, who has been ill. Harpring sat out his third straight game while resting a strained right knee.
SuperSonics 119, Trail Blazers 108, OT: Seattle’s Ray Allen scored a season-high 42, including seven points in overtime, to help the SuperSonics overcome a 23-point deficit.
The Trail Blazers led 87-69 after the third quarter but Allen scored 20 in the fourth, when Seattle outscored the Blazers 35-17 to send the game to overtime.
76ers 88, Bucks 76: At Philadelphia, Desmond Mason spoiled Allen Iverson’s return to Philadelphia’s lineup, scoring a season-high 24.
Pistons 78, Celtics 68: At Boston, Tayshaun Prince got seven of his 13 points during a key 11-0 run in the fourth quarter and Detroit held Boston to a season-low point total.
Rockets 83, Warriors 65: At Houston, Maurice Taylor scored a season-high 25 points for Houston.
Tucson Ties
How former UA players in the NBA fared yesterday
Yesterday Season Averages
Player, team Vs. Pts. Reb. Ast. Pts. Reb. Ast
Gilbert Arenas, Wizards No game – - – 18.9 4.9 5.1
Mike Bibby, Kings No game – - – 17.1 3.4 5.5
Richard Jefferson, Nets No game – - – 16.5 5.7 3.5
Chris Mills, Celtics Injured – - – 0.0 0.0 0.0
Sean Rooks, Hornets No game – - – 2.6 1.6 0.3
D. Stoudamire, Blazers Sonics (L) 22 5 6 12.9 3.5 5.9
Jason Terry, Hawks No game – - – 16.4 4.1 4.9
Luke Walton, Lakers No game – - – 1.8 0.7 0.8
Loren Woods, Heat Pistons/DNP – - – 3.1 3.3 0.2
PHOTO CAPTION: The Associated Press
The Suns’ Leandro Barbosa shoots despite having the hand of Bulls defender Rick Brunson in his face during the third quarter.