Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers as the Phoenix Suns pulled to a 110-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Steve Nash and Jason Richardson scored 19 points each and Grant Hill added 18 in a grind-it-out game played at the Spurs’ pace until the Suns started hitting 3-pointers. After starting one of seven from long range, Phoenix made eight of its next 12.
Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker added 20 points for the Spurs.
The best-of-seven series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 tonight.
Manu Ginobili, guarded mainly by Hill, was 2 of 8 from the field, including just 1 of 2 in the second half, but had 11 assists for San Antonio.
The Spurs outshot Phoenix 51 percent to 42 percent, but the Suns outrebounded taller San Antonio 49-37, 18-7 on the offensive boards.
Stoudemire made just 5 of 16 shots, but was 11 of 13 at the free throw line. The Suns outscored the Spurs by 14 at the line, going 29 of 37 to San Antonio’s 15 of 22.
Referee Ron Garretson left the game after the third quarter with a leg injury. Fellow ref Joey Crawford said Garretson injured his Achilles’ tendon. Substitute referee David Jones worked the final quarter.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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