Back in MVP form, Nash lifts Suns past Clips
Hard-fought series finishes with a laugher as Phoenix reaches West finals
 Matt York / AP Steve Nash scored 29 points against the Clippers in Game 7 on Monday. |
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PHOENIX - Steve Nash’s aching back was a whole lot better, and that led to a painful night for the Los Angeles Clippers in the biggest game in that franchise’s mostly sorry history.
With Nash back in MVP form — 29 points and 11 assists — and 3-pointers falling like a welcome desert rain for Phoenix, the Suns routed the Clippers 127-107 on Monday night to advance to the Western Conference finals for the second year in a row.
Game 1 is Wednesday night in Dallas.
Nash, 2-for-18 on 3s in the previous five games as he struggled with a chronically bad back, was obviously feeling better after three days of rest and treatment.
“With the help of our training staff I was able to overcome some physical problems I’ve had and I did feel a lot better tonight,” Nash said.
Nash was 4-of-5 on 3s.
“When he made that first 3-pointer,” the Clippers’ Corey Maggette said, “I knew we were in for a long night.”
Nash made 11 of 16 shots, twisting his way to layups and moving with much more energy than in recent games.
So was the rest of his team.
Seven players were in double figures for the Suns, who shot 60 percent overall and made 15 of 27 3-pointers.
Shawn Marion had 30 points — including 5-of-9 3s.
“Everybody was stepping up tonight. Everybody was knocking down shots,” Marion said. “I don’t care. I could have had five points and if we win, that’s all that matters.”
Leandro Barbosa added 18 points, Tim Thomas 16 and Boris Diaw 14. Raja Bell and James Jones scored 10 apiece.
“We played close to what we wanted to do for a while,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said, “but when they shoot the 3-pointer the way they shot tonight, I don’t know who can beat them.”
“It was a coming out party for myself and teammates,” Brand said. “We’re only going to get better. We’ve got a lot of young guys on our team that are going to improve.”
They were the second Los Angeles team to lose decisively in a Game 7 in Phoenix in these playoffs. The Suns beat the Lakers 121-90 in Game 7 of their first-round series 16 days earlier.
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