Raja leads the way as Suns beat Magic, 110-106

(AP Photo/Paul Connors) Raja's season-high 20 points (4-for-7 on 3-point shooting) led the way as the Suns stopped a 2-game losing streak with a convincing 110-106 win over the hot Magic, winners of four straight and nine of their last ten games. Steve Nash, despite some poor shooting (2-of-8) was great as usual in guiding the Suns' offense. The Suns' QB had 14 assists on the night but saw his consecutive free throws streak end at 53.

The Suns held the lead, even comfortable ones at various stages (10 points early in the last quarter), for most of the game but were able to avoid a Magic comeback only in the closing seconds on free throws by Marion (1-of-2) and Nash (2-of-2). The Suns scored from the line when it mattered as they were just 17-for-25 on the night.

It was also a battle of the two best young centers in the game right now: Dwight Howard and our own Amaré Stoudemire. Both looked great and I feel like those two could build a very fierce rivalry for the next decade. Howard had 30 points (including eight dunks) and 23 rebounds, while STAT had a solid game as well (19 points and 10 rebounds).
Who knows maybe those two could actually meet in the NBA Finals in the near future.
I have to admit of he continues to play like that the Magic center could well be a serious MVP candidate. “He’s a monster,” Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Phoenix is now 12-4 and extended their lead in the Pac5 to 3 game. The Suns are now heading into the toughest month of their season, beginning with a 5-game Eastern road trip: NY, Indiana, Toronto, Washington and Minnesota all in 7 days.

Yours truly, Steve Fan

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