Bell scores 20, plays stifling 'D’ in Suns' rout

PHILADELPHIA - No matter what adversity, slumps or other problems the Suns have had to deal with this season, they have always found a way to regroup rather quickly.

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Phoenix began Friday as the league’s only team without a three-game losing streak, and maintained that elite status with an impressive and much-needed 107-93 victory over the white-hot Philadelphia 76ers at Wachovia Center.

“We don’t like to lose,” guard Raja Bell said. “Two in a row makes you feel bad enough, so that third game we usually come out really tune in.”

Amaré Stoudemire led all scorers with 22 points, mostly on dunks and layups, and Shaquille O’Neal (15 points, 13 rebounds) contributed a double-double as the Suns improved to 1-2 on their final East Coast swing, which concludes today in New Jersey.

The night, though, belonged to Bell, a one-time 76er. After scoring just 10 points combined over the previous two games, the Suns shooting guard hit five of his eight 3-point attempts en route to a 20-point game. He also chipped in with seven assists, five rebounds and two steals and held Andre Iguodala and Willie Green, Philadelphia’s first- and third-leading scorers, respectively, in check.

Bell started the game on Green, but guarded Iguodala much of the time after Grant Hill got into early foul trouble. The two combined to go just 5-for-20 from the field, for a total of 22 points.

“Maybe his best overall game,” coach Mike D’Antoni said of Bell.

“When Iguodala is 3-for-12, Green is 2-for-8 and he’s got 20 points, seven assists — I don’t know how you get much better than that. He was terrific.”

'Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa each added 17 points off the bench as the Suns remained sixth in the West but pulled within 1 1/2 games of the top spot.

Philadelphia, which began its tear through the month (now 11-3) with a victory in Phoenix on March 1, couldn’t complete its first series sweep since 2001-02 in front of its third sellout crowd of the season.

The Sixers missed their first 13 shots while Phoenix hit seven of its first nine — six on layups or dunks — to build a 10-point lead, 15-5, just 5:17 into the game. The Suns built the advantage to 19 (38-19) at the end of the first quarter and led by as many as 24 in the second. Philadelphia outscored Phoenix 27-23 in the third and was within 10 as late as 9:37 of the fourth, but a quick 7-0 Suns run ended any drama.

“We knew this team was a hot team, especially this month, so thank God we got off to a fast start,” O’Neal said. “We’re just trying to work on our game. ... Tonight was pretty good. We’ve just got to try to get this one (today) and finish with a 2-2 trip.”

Did you see that? Phoenix ended a two-game losing streak with a relatively easy 107-93 victory over the white-hot Philadelphia 76ers, who were ice cold for much of this game (39.9 percent from the field).

Player of the game: Raja Bell was a difference maker on both ends of the court, finishing with 20 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals and helping to hold Andre Iguodala and Willie Green to a combined 5-for-20 shooting.
Unsung hero: The Suns’ bench play ensured that the team didn’t miss a beat when the starters got a breather. Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw and Gordan Giricek combined for 41 points.

Thumbs up: The Suns desperately need to win this one, and they responded. With their fast start — they led by 10 (15-5) less than six minutes in and by 19 (38-19) after the first quarter — the outcome was never in question.

Thumbs down: The Suns again weren’t quick enough on the boards, as Philadelphia outrebounded them 49-39 and picked up 22 on the offensive end.