Barbosa, Suns rout Kings

Dec 6, 2006, 4:55 GMT

Phoenix, AZ - Leandro Barbosa led six Phoenix players in double figures with 26 points and Steve Nash had a season-high 20 assists, as the Suns scorched the Sacramento Kings, 127-102, at US Airways Center.

Shawn Marion tallied 23 points, while Amare Stoudemire added 17 and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Suns, who extended their winning streak to seven games and have won nine of 10 since starting the season 1-5. They also have a seven game winning streak at home.

Mike Bibby had 21 points for Sacramento, which has lost four straight. The Kings were without Ron Artest for the third straight game. Artest has a sore lower back that has bothered him all season.

Phoenix never trailed after opening the game on a 14-4 run, capped by Marion's one-handed slam. The forward had six points in the burst but Saramento tried to stall the Suns' momentum.

The Kings pulled within four, 18-14, on Salmons' free throw at 6:21. The back and forth action continued through the first quarter, eventually favoring the Suns, as Marion's jumper beat the buzzer to give Phoenix a 41-29 lead heading into the second stanza.

The Suns had a 62-51 advantage at the half and 97-77 heading into the final frame.

The rout culminated with Pat Burke putting on a three-point clinic. Burke netted the Suns' final scores to finish the night with nine points.

Raja Bell had 13 points and four assists for Phoenix, which also got 12 points from Kurt Thomas and 11 from Nash.

Shareef Abdur Rahim donated 12 points for Sacramento.

Game Notes

The Suns shot 50 percent from the floor (47-of-95) to Sacramento's 43 percent (39-of-91).

Phoenix also won the battle of the boards, 50-46.

The contest marked the finale of a three-game homestand for Phoenix. They are 8-2 at US Airways Center this season. The club's longest regular-season win streak was an 11-game run from February 8-March 6.

Sacramento and Phoenix split their four-game series last season. The Kings won the last two.

© 2006 The Sports Network