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04-10-2006, 02:55 PM
Suns, Heat Are Slumping No. 2 Seeds
Apr 10, 4:06 AM (ET) Email this Story
By The Associated Press
The Phoenix Suns won a division title, though Steve Nash didn't see much on the court to celebrate. Instead, he sent a warning to his team.
So did Pat Riley, who doesn't like what he is seeing from his division champion Miami Heat.
Clearly, the Suns and Heat have more in common than just being No. 2 seeds - if Miami even holds onto its position.
Phoenix won the Pacific Division for the second straight year, but couldn't do it on its own terms Sunday. The Suns lost 116-114 at Seattle and had to wait for the Clippers to lose to the Lakers before they were officially champions.
Nash had 13 points and 11 assists in 30 minutes, and was disappointed afterward in the team's approach to the defeat, which dropped Phoenix to 8-9 in the last 17 games.
"If we don't change our attitude and our commitment throughout a game, we're really setting ourselves up for the harsh realities that we've seen," Nash said.
At least the Suns have no chance of losing their No. 2 seed. That's not the case for Miami.
After falling 93-84 to Orlando for their second straight home loss, the Heat were only 2½ games in front of New Jersey for the second spot. And Riley was hinting at changes so his team could stop the slump.
"It's almost a crossroads for me right now, to find the competitive warriors and the competitiveness of those guys will transcend the talent and reputation," Riley said. "I'm going to try to find the guys who are going to try to play the hardest and best in support of our two great players."
In other games, it was: Detroit 98, Indiana 73; New Jersey 95, Milwaukee 83; Charlotte 94, Toronto 88; Minnesota 84, Atlanta 83; New York 101, Boston 86; San Antonio 83, Memphis 81; Sacramento 86, Houston 77; and the Lakers 100, the Clippers 83.
At Miami, the Heat's only lead was 2-0, and there were few contributions beyond the 27 points from Dwyane Wade and 16 points and nine rebounds from Shaquille O'Neal.
Miami lost for the sixth time in 11 games.
"We didn't come ready to play," forward Udonis Haslem said. "Give Orlando credit. They played a good game tonight and beat us. This is one you have to put behind you and move on."
Phoenix will try to do the same Tuesday night when it visits Sacramento in a possible preview of a first-round series. But before they worry about the postseason, the Suns have to fix their defense.
The Suns have lost three of four, and have allowed 110 or more points in five of their last eight games.
"We didn't make shots and, to be honest, tonight we weren't very smart and we were pretty soft I thought at times," Nash said. "We really weren't that competitive for stretches of the game. It's frustrating; we all have to look at ourselves and try to get better and be more competitive throughout the game."
At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, Lamar Odom had 23 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lakers snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Lakers are tied for seventh place with Sacramento in the Western Conference - three games ahead of Utah and New Orleans, who are tied for ninth. The Clippers (44-32) had clinched the seventh playoff berth in the 36-year history of the franchise Saturday night when New Orleans lost at Dallas.
At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Spurs stay a game ahead of Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference. San Antonio had lost two straight games - both at home.
Pau Gasol missed a potential game-tying layup over Duncan with 5.9 seconds remaining, and the Spurs swept their four games this season with the Grizzlies.
At Milwaukee, Vince Carter scored 25 points and Jason Kidd had his 75th triple-double to lead New Jersey in a potential first-round playoff preview.
The Nets got back on track after their 14-game winning streak was snapped by Cleveland on Saturday.
Milwaukee lost its fourth straight and fell three games below .500, its low mark this season.
At Sacramento, Calif., Brad Miller had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and the Kings never trailed in their third straight victory. The Kings, who have won six of seven, reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three.
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Tayshaun Prince scored all of his 17 points in the second half to lead six double-digit scorers. Detroit (62-15) is a victory away from matching its franchise record for wins.
Indiana has lost seven of eight to fall a season-worst four-games under .500 and is in danger of not making the playoffs after starting the season as a title contender.
At Minneapolis, Trenton Hassell made a short jumper with 1.9 seconds to play for Minnesota, which was playing without Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis.
Garnett sat out with tendinitis in his right knee, snapping his NBA-leading streak of 351 games started, and Davis was out with a sore groin.
At Toronto, Brevin Knight had 19 points and 10 assists, and Charlotte had four players with double-doubles while snapping a seven-game road losing streak.
Jumaine Jones had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Gerald Wallace had 11 points and 14 boards, and Raymond Felton had 10 points and 12 assists.
At Boston, Jamal Crawford scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Knicks won their third straight for just the second time this season.
Nate Robinson finished with 12 points for the Knicks, who outscored the Celtics 31-10 in the fourth quarter.
Apr 10, 4:06 AM (ET) Email this Story
By The Associated Press
The Phoenix Suns won a division title, though Steve Nash didn't see much on the court to celebrate. Instead, he sent a warning to his team.
So did Pat Riley, who doesn't like what he is seeing from his division champion Miami Heat.
Clearly, the Suns and Heat have more in common than just being No. 2 seeds - if Miami even holds onto its position.
Phoenix won the Pacific Division for the second straight year, but couldn't do it on its own terms Sunday. The Suns lost 116-114 at Seattle and had to wait for the Clippers to lose to the Lakers before they were officially champions.
Nash had 13 points and 11 assists in 30 minutes, and was disappointed afterward in the team's approach to the defeat, which dropped Phoenix to 8-9 in the last 17 games.
"If we don't change our attitude and our commitment throughout a game, we're really setting ourselves up for the harsh realities that we've seen," Nash said.
At least the Suns have no chance of losing their No. 2 seed. That's not the case for Miami.
After falling 93-84 to Orlando for their second straight home loss, the Heat were only 2½ games in front of New Jersey for the second spot. And Riley was hinting at changes so his team could stop the slump.
"It's almost a crossroads for me right now, to find the competitive warriors and the competitiveness of those guys will transcend the talent and reputation," Riley said. "I'm going to try to find the guys who are going to try to play the hardest and best in support of our two great players."
In other games, it was: Detroit 98, Indiana 73; New Jersey 95, Milwaukee 83; Charlotte 94, Toronto 88; Minnesota 84, Atlanta 83; New York 101, Boston 86; San Antonio 83, Memphis 81; Sacramento 86, Houston 77; and the Lakers 100, the Clippers 83.
At Miami, the Heat's only lead was 2-0, and there were few contributions beyond the 27 points from Dwyane Wade and 16 points and nine rebounds from Shaquille O'Neal.
Miami lost for the sixth time in 11 games.
"We didn't come ready to play," forward Udonis Haslem said. "Give Orlando credit. They played a good game tonight and beat us. This is one you have to put behind you and move on."
Phoenix will try to do the same Tuesday night when it visits Sacramento in a possible preview of a first-round series. But before they worry about the postseason, the Suns have to fix their defense.
The Suns have lost three of four, and have allowed 110 or more points in five of their last eight games.
"We didn't make shots and, to be honest, tonight we weren't very smart and we were pretty soft I thought at times," Nash said. "We really weren't that competitive for stretches of the game. It's frustrating; we all have to look at ourselves and try to get better and be more competitive throughout the game."
At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, Lamar Odom had 23 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lakers snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Lakers are tied for seventh place with Sacramento in the Western Conference - three games ahead of Utah and New Orleans, who are tied for ninth. The Clippers (44-32) had clinched the seventh playoff berth in the 36-year history of the franchise Saturday night when New Orleans lost at Dallas.
At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Spurs stay a game ahead of Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference. San Antonio had lost two straight games - both at home.
Pau Gasol missed a potential game-tying layup over Duncan with 5.9 seconds remaining, and the Spurs swept their four games this season with the Grizzlies.
At Milwaukee, Vince Carter scored 25 points and Jason Kidd had his 75th triple-double to lead New Jersey in a potential first-round playoff preview.
The Nets got back on track after their 14-game winning streak was snapped by Cleveland on Saturday.
Milwaukee lost its fourth straight and fell three games below .500, its low mark this season.
At Sacramento, Calif., Brad Miller had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and the Kings never trailed in their third straight victory. The Kings, who have won six of seven, reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three.
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Tayshaun Prince scored all of his 17 points in the second half to lead six double-digit scorers. Detroit (62-15) is a victory away from matching its franchise record for wins.
Indiana has lost seven of eight to fall a season-worst four-games under .500 and is in danger of not making the playoffs after starting the season as a title contender.
At Minneapolis, Trenton Hassell made a short jumper with 1.9 seconds to play for Minnesota, which was playing without Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis.
Garnett sat out with tendinitis in his right knee, snapping his NBA-leading streak of 351 games started, and Davis was out with a sore groin.
At Toronto, Brevin Knight had 19 points and 10 assists, and Charlotte had four players with double-doubles while snapping a seven-game road losing streak.
Jumaine Jones had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Gerald Wallace had 11 points and 14 boards, and Raymond Felton had 10 points and 12 assists.
At Boston, Jamal Crawford scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Knicks won their third straight for just the second time this season.
Nate Robinson finished with 12 points for the Knicks, who outscored the Celtics 31-10 in the fourth quarter.