Suns' barrage of three-pointers rock Nuggets

Shawn Marion scored a season-high 27 points, including five of the Suns' franchise-record-tying 20 three-pointers, en route to a 137-115 blowout over the Nuggets on Monday night.

 "I got it going early," said Marion, who added 14 rebounds and six blocked shots in the romp. "I got good looks and I let if fly."

   Marcus Banks came off the bench to add a season-best 23 points, hitting seven of his eight triples as the Suns fell one short of matching the NBA record of 21 three-pointers set by Toronto on March 13, 2005.

 "We came out with a lot of intensity, we were very aggressive tonight, and everyone got their shots," Banks said. "It felt good for me too."

  Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Steve Nash chipped in with 13 points and 10 assits for the Suns (24-10), who turned in their highest scoring effort of the season.

 "We expect to score a lot of pointe each game," said Suns forward Grant Hill, following a 20-point effort. "We just haven't been able to do it."

   The Suns were disappointed following a 118-113 home loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night. However, the Pacific Division leaders regrouped to bounce back in a big way.

 "The loss to the Hornets brought us together and you can see that tonight," Hill said. "We didn't care who scored."

   The Suns came out with energy and accuracy, racing to a 46-34 lead that swelled into a 78-59 halftime bulge behind Marion, who had 21 points and all five of his three-pointers at the break.

 Trailing 92-67, the Nuggets pulled to within 101-90 with 25 seconds left in the third quarter as Marcus Camby's three-point play capped a 21-9 run. But Stoudemire countered with a jumper, and after Allen Iverson missed two free throws, the Brazilian speedster buried a three-pointer to beat the buzzer that opened a 106-90 cushion.

 The Nuggets never had a chance in the final frame as Banks scored 17 points with five three-pointers to complete the rout.

 Iverson scored 32 points while Carmelo Anthony had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Nuggets (21-13), whose first loss in four games dropped them into a tie with Portland atop the Northwest Division.

 "They got happy and they got cocky and they rubbed our faces in the game a little bit," Denver coach George Karl said. "It will be fun the next time we play them."

   Elsewhere:    Golden State Warriors 130, San Antonio Spurs 121 (OT)    Streaky-shooting Stephen Jackson scored 12 of his 29 points in overtime, sparking the Warriors over the defending champion Spurs to complete a sweep of the two-game season series.

 "Stephen's a clutch performer," said Warriors guard Baron Davis, who had a game-high 34 points along with 14 assists and six rebounds. "He loves the limelight, he loves the big-time moments."

   San Antonio wiped out a six-point deficit in the final minute, and sent the game into overtime on a three-pointer by Frenchman Tony Parker with six seconds left.

 The Spurs led 116-114 before Jackson took over against his former team. He nailed a pair of three-pointers and six free throws to highlight a 16-5 closing run that helped the Warriors (20-15) avoid their first three-game slide since opening the season at 0-6.

 Tim Duncan collected 32 points along with 13 rebounds while Parker finished with 31 points and eight assists for the Spurs (23-10), whose Southwest Division lead was reduced to one-half game over idle New Orleans and Dallas, following their sixth road loss in the last seven games.