Suns notebook: Last-second shots hurt Suns again

DALLAS - The Suns have been burned by last-second shots to end quarters and halves all season, and the final few seconds of Thursday's first quarter against the Mavericks was a prime example of the problem.

Nowitzki, Barea lead Mavs past Suns

After Amaré Stoudemire pulled the Suns within four points with 8.7 seconds left, Dallas' Jose Berea went coast-to-coast for a layup before sprawling into the first two rows of the stands. With Berea still prone upon the patrons, rookie Goran Dragic had trouble finding an open man and stepped over the inbounds line.

Dallas inbounded and Jason Terry nailed a 3-pointer at the quarter buzzer, giving the Mavericks five points in the final 2.1 seconds and a nine-point lead - which was the beginning of a 17-4 run.

"It's about discipline and knowing what you're doing," Suns coach Terry Porter said "Goran's not supposed to take the ball out there. The point man never takes the ball out ... so he rushes and steps over the line. We've had many of those plays to finish quarters and halves this year."

RESTED BUT NOT READY

The Suns have been able to count on Shaquille O'Neal for big efforts this season when he's had at least two days of rest. But after sitting out Wednesday's loss in New Orleans, O'Neal managed just four points on 1-for-6 shooting in 26 minutes and never got into the flow on either end of the floor.

O'Neal, who spent an hour before the game trying to loosen up a sore right knee, had only five rebounds and was beaten to the glass time and again by Dallas; Erick Dampier (14 rebounds) As a team, the Suns were badly outrebounded again (48-35) and for the second straight game, small forward Matt Barnes led the team in rebounding (with six).

"We just didn't do a good job of getting him touches when he was in there," Porter said. "He never got into the rhythm of the game."

The same could be said for Grant Hill, who had 17 points in a starting role on Wednesday but was ineffective again coming off the bench (2-for-8, four points in 21 minutes). He also tweaked his right knee when a Maverick player rolled up on it early in the fourth quarter.

"I'd like to tell you I have the answers, but I just don't right now," Hill said.

TURNING 40? NOT QUITE

After hitting 16 of his 22 shots from the field in the first three quarters, Dirk Nowitzki had only two in the fourth and settled for tying his season high with 39 points - barely missing a chance to become the third player in a week to drop at least 40 on the defenseless Suns.

The Suns did a good job holding down opposing stars over the first 10 games, but that's gone away. Dwyane Wade had 43 last Friday for Miami. Devin Harris exploded for 47 for New Jersey two nights later. Chris Paul probably could have done the same in New Orleans Wednesday, but chose to spread the wealth with 15 assists.

"Everybody's getting season highs, career highs ... we just haven't done a good job of taking the initiative and taking the challenge," Porter said. "Sometimes it's scheme situations, but other times it starts with you as an individual. We had so many breakdowns early on stuff and are giving up these 30-point quarters ... we can't keep making the same mistakes over and over again from game to game."

BONUS SHOTS

Steve Nash, who lost seven pounds over the last two days while battling the flu, had 10 assists to give him 6,926 in his career, pushing him past Guy Rodgers and into sole possession of 14th place on the all-time list. Nash is now 29 assists behind Bob Cousy (6,955) and 13th place. Jason Kidd, who had eight assists Thursday, sits fifth on the all-time list with 9,650. ... The Suns are now 1-5 on national television this season and have lost five straight after beating San Antonio in the season opener. ... Kidd tied Antoine Walker for ninth-place on the all-time list with his 1,386th 3-point field goal.