Suns Pull Away From Jazz Late, Improve to 2-0 - BullsClips's Dynasty

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Suns Pull Away From Jazz Late, Improve to 2-0

Posted on May 29, 2011 at 04:18 PM.

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah � The Phoenix Suns used a 27-19 advantage in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Utah Jazz with a 94-81 win at EnergySolutions Arena Thursday night.

Kevin Durant led the way again for Phoenix, as he posted 31 points, topping 30 for the second consecutive game. Dirk Nowitzki wasn�t far behind with 26 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

�We are very comfortable as a unit right now,� Durant said in his postgame interview. �Although I struggled from the three point line tonight (1-7) I knew that the guys would get me the ball in spots I can score and at times, the basket looks real big to me. We are happy with this win and look forward to seeing our fans in Phoenix tomorrow night.�

Mike Conley and Marcus Thornton also hit double figures again for the Suns, who used an 11-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to take control. Conley added 10 points and 10 assists, while Thornton took advantage of the space given by the Utah defense, going 6-7 from the floor for 13 points.

�When my shot isn�t there like tonight (4-14 shooting), I am just happy to find my teammates and create easy buckets for them,� stated an upbeat Conley. �Tomorrow will be a difficult test, but we are excited to take on the Lakers.�

Wesley Matthews led the way for the Jazz with 20 points on 8-12 shooting, including 2-2 from three point land. He led a quintet of Utah players in double figures on the night, including Yao Ming (16 points, 5 blocks), Ron Artest (14 points, 7 rebounds), Chauncey Billups (12 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds on 4-18 shooting), and Patrick Patterson (11 points).

The Jazz (0-2) will try to get in the win column on Sunday night in Oklahoma City against the Dwyane Wade, Zach Randolph and the Thunder. Phoenix (2-0) will look to make it three straight tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. MT against the Monta Ellis led Lakers.

Notable Statistics
PHX: K. Durant: 31 pts, 4 rebs; D. Nowitzki: 26 pts, 11 rebs; M. Conley: 10 pts, 10 ast; M. Thornton: 13 pts.
UTAH: W. Matthews: 20 pts, 4 rebs; Y. Ming: 16 pts, 5 blk, 4 rebs, 4 ast; R. Artest: 14 pts, 7 rebs.

Oct 28, 2010 - PHX at UTAH
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Phoenix Suns (2-0)	20	22	25	27	94
Utah Jazz (0-2)	19	17	26	19	81

Phoenix Suns
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Mike Conley	30	4-14	2-6	0-0	1	10	1	2	1	10
Marcus Thornton	29	6-7	1-2	0-0	4	3	0	1	0	13
Kevin Durant	32	14-28	1-7	2-3	4	1	2	1	4	31
Dirk Nowitzki	32	11-21	0-2	4-4	11	4	3	4	5	26
Tyson Chandler	30	3-3	0-0	0-1	4	0	2	1	1	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nick Young	12	1-1	0-0	0-0	2	2	1	0	0	2
Kirk Hinrich	11	2-4	0-1	0-0	0	3	2	1	1	4
Omer Asik	8	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Thabo Sefalosha	7	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Brandon Bass	12	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	2
James Jones	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	2	0	0	0	0	0
Daniel Gibson - DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TEAM TOTALS		42-80	4-18	6-8	29	25	11	10	13	94

Utah Jazz
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Chauncey Billups	33	4-18	0-7	4-4	5	7	2	0	3	12
Wesley Matthews	30	8-12	2-2	2-2	4	2	1	0	2	20
Ron Artest	31	6-15	2-7	0-0	7	2	2	0	2	14
Patrick Patterson	29	5-10	0-0	1-1	3	1	1	0	1	11
Yao Ming	30	8-11	0-0	0-0	4	4	4	5	0	16
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Drew Gooden	12	3-8	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	0	1	6
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute	10	1-4	0-1	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	2
Antonio Daniels	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Derek Fisher	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	0	2	0
Cole Aldrich	11	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Anthony Parker	11	0-4	0-2	0-0	5	1	0	0	0	0
Kyle Korver - DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TEAM TOTALS		35-82	4-19	7-7	35	20	10	5	12	81