With Nash’s Help, Suns Beat Heat

Steve Nash had 12 assists during a 47-point first quarter for the Suns, who raced past the depleted Miami Heat, 111-93, Friday night at Phoenix.

Nash broke the franchise record and tied for second-most assists in a quarter in NBA history. Last season’s league MVP finished with 19 assists and 11 points in Phoenix’s sixth victory in seven games.

The Suns tied a team record with 17 assists -- on 18 baskets -- in the first quarter. The 47 points were the most in a quarter in the NBA this season and most for the Suns since the franchise moved to America West Arena in 1992. The arena officially changed its name to U.S. Airways Center on Friday.

Miami was without Dwyane Wade and Jason Williams. Wade felt soreness during warmups and was a late scratch because of a bruised left shin. Williams had right knee tendinitis.

Seven Phoenix players scored in double figures, including all five starters. Raja Bell matched his season high with 24 points, 18 in the first half, to lead the Suns.

Shaquille O’Neal had eight points and 13 rebounds in 23 minutes. Antoine Walker led the Heat with 22 points.

The Suns, who led, 47-25, after one quarter, tied a franchise record with 11 first-half three-point baskets -- in 17 attempts -- while taking a 72-50 lead at the break.

Nash fell two shy of the league record of 14 set by John Lucas for San Antonio against Denver on April 15, 1984. Avery Johnson had 12 for the Spurs against the Clippers on Dec. 10, 1997. The old Phoenix record for assists in a quarter was 10, shared by Jason Kidd and Jeff Hornacek.

Detroit 97, Seattle 85 -- The victory at Auburn Hills, Mich., gave the Pistons an NBA-best record of 26-4. It trails the league’s best 30-game mark by one. Five teams started 27-3, including the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who won an NBA-record 72 games.

SuperSonic Coach Bob Hill was involved in an unusual play as the Pistons were pulling away in the fourth quarter.

When Detroit’s Richard Hamilton received a pass in front of Seattle’s bench, Hill had both feet on the court. He tried to get out of the way, but as Hamilton jumped to shoot a three-pointer, the coach’s leg appeared to bump him.

After Hamilton missed the shot, official Bob Delaney ruled that the shot was good because Hill interfered.

New Jersey 113, Orlando 106 -- Jason Kidd had 16 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds at East Rutherford, N.J., for his 69th career triple-double, and the Nets extended their winning streak to nine games.

Grant Hill scored 14 points for the Magic -- all in the first half -- but played only two minutes in the second half before re-injuring his strained groin.

Toronto 112, Houston 92 -- Mike James had 30 points, eight assists and seven rebounds against his former team at Toronto to help the Raptors win their season-high fifth in a row. It’s their longest winning streak since winning five in a row in December 2003.

Memphis 87, Utah 65 -- After the Jazz pulled to within nine points with 6:22 left at Memphis, Tenn., the Grizzlies made 10 consecutive free throws, Bobby Jackson made a three-point basket and Eddie Jones scored on a layup to give them an 81-60 lead with just under three minutes left.

San Antonio 83, Minnesota 77 -- The Spurs were four of 11 from the free-throw line in the first three quarters at San Antonio, but they made seven of eight in the fourth quarter. Manu Ginobili made all four of his free throws in the final 25 seconds.

New Orleans 90, Portland 80 -- Kirk Snyder scored a career-high 22 points as the Hornets overcame the loss of rookie point guard Chris Paul at Oklahoma City. Snyder was making his third start in place of J.R. Smith, who was benched for a lack of effort in practice.

Paul grabbed his right thumb and walked to the bench after a basket by Juan Dixon that cut the Trail Blazers’ deficit to 53-41 just 36 seconds into the second half. He is expected to sit out at least two weeks because of a torn ligament in the thumb.

Chicago 105, Milwaukee 91 -- The Bulls ended their eight-game losing streak with the victory at Milwaukee. They put seven players in double figures against the Bucks, who never found their rhythm despite 25 points from Michael Redd.

The last time the Bulls won in Milwaukee was 14 games ago in 1998, when Michael Jordan had 30 points during the final year of the Bulls’ dynasty.

Atlanta 103, Boston 98 -- Joe Johnson, who finished with 20 points, made a jump shot with 1:12 left at Atlanta to give the Hawks a 100-98 lead. He then blocked a Paul Pierce layup the next time down the floor and made a key free throw with 19.2 seconds left to clinch the victory.

New York 113, Washington 92 -- Rookie center Channing Frye matched his season high with 30 points, including 11 during a decisive 15-4 run in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Stephon Marbury had 16 points and 11 assists to help the Knicks win consecutive games for the second time this season -- the first time at home.

Dallas 114, Denver 112 -- Devin Harris made an easy layup with 2.2 seconds left in overtime at Denver. On the inbound play after a timeout, Harris moved through several picks, got free from Andre Miller and found himself wide open, taking a pass from Josh Howard and making the winning layup.