2 min read

DALLAS – Boris Diaw had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double and the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to a season-high 10 games with a 115-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Steve Nash had 25 points and 11 assists, Shawn Marion had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Leandro Barbosa scored 20 points to help the Suns end the Mavericks’ club-record 16-game home winning streak.

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and nine rebounds, Marquis Daniels added 22 points and Jason Terry had 21 points for the Mavericks, who had won 20 of their previous 22.

Five consecutive points from Diaw put the Suns ahead for good at 102-100 with 4:07 left.

Barbosa’s layup with 2:57 left and Nash’s 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining extended the Phoenix lead to 107-100.

Dallas got within 109-107 on Terry’s 3-pointer with 1:01 left.

But Marion converted a layup, Raja Bell and Nash hit two free throws each and the Suns finished the game with a 27-12 spurt over the final 8:31.

The Mavericks were in front by as many as 13 in the third quarter, but the Suns opened the final quarter with a 16-6 run capped by Tim Thomas’ layup with 6:39 remaining for a 97-95 edge.

Dallas was without Josh Howard (hamstring), Keith Van Horn (sprained knee) and Devin Harris (thigh). Van Horn will be out for at least two weeks while Howard and Harris are listed as day-to-day.

Mavericks coach Avery Johnson had to go deeper into his bench, starting Daniels and giving seldom-used Darrell Armstrong 11 minutes.

Phoenix remains without injured inside players Amare Stoudemire (knee), Kurt Thomas (foot stress fracture) and Brian Grant (knee).

Dallas shredded Phoenix’s interior defense in the first quarter, with 22 of the Mavericks’ 31 points coming from in the paint.

The Mavericks carried a seven-point lead into the second quarter, shooting 65 percent from field (13-for-20). Dallas closed the first half with consecutive 3-pointers from Stackhouse and Terry, completing a 13-4 run over a span of 4:37 for a 62-51 lead at the break.

Notes: Diaw’s other triple-double came on Jan. 31 against Philadelphia. …Mavericks owner Mark Cuban watched the first quarter in a tuxedo rather than in his customary jeans and T-shirt before leaving via private jet for the Academy Awards in Hollywood. A movie produced by Cuban, “Good Night and Good Luck,” was up for six nominations.

AP-ES-03-05-06 1813EST


Comments are no longer available on this story