Sun likely sets on Nash's career in Phoenix; Bobcats lose again

PHOENIX — No one could say for certain that this was Steve Nash's final game in a Phoenix uniform, but the Suns' fans certainly sensed it was.

Parting touch: Phoenix's Steve Nash, who will become a free agent, exchanges high-fives with fans after the Suns lost to 110-106 to San Antonio in their final game of the season. AP

As a meaningless 110-106 loss to the depleted San Antonio Spurs wound down on Wednesday night, the crowd stood and chanted "We want Nash" over and over.

First it was just a few fans. Then it spread through the whole building.

Finally, coach Alvin Gentry sent the 38-year-old point guard back onto the court for a few plays before Nash left to rousing cheers.

"It was obviously amazing to get that type of reception and support," Nash said. "It's very special because it's not something I asked for or imagined to get that type of spontaneous reaction. It means it's authentic, the relationship that I thought we had."

Nash, a free agent at the end of the season after eight years with the Suns, said he will take time to explore his options.

"I'm in no rush," he said. "I think it's important to take my time and just gain some perspective on what's happened in my career and what the future may hold. It's just a lot of speculation at this point."

Gentry said he put Nash back in the game to get the ovation he deserved.

"He was a guy that made guys better," said Gentry, who was with the Suns for all eight of Nash's seasons, either as an assistant or head coach. "It was fun to watch him play and to be with him for eight years, and what he has accomplished here, and what he has done for this franchise and for my coaching career, is priceless."

Patty Mills scored 27 points in San Antonio's ninth win in a row.

The Spurs sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili — as well as coach Gregg Popovich — home earlier in the day. The four will also miss San Antonio's regular-season finale at Golden State on Thursday night.

Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention with a loss at Utah on Tuesday night.

Nash had eight points and seven assists in just 18 minutes, all of his points coming in the third quarter. The two-time league MVP left the game with 3:08 to go in the third quarter and probably would have stayed on the sideline had the crowd not demanded his return.

As he left the court the final time to cheers, Nash looked down but waved his right index finger briefly to the crowd.

Bulls 92, Pacers 87

In Indianapolis, Kyle Korver scored 20 points to help Chicago beat Indiana and remain tied for the best record in the league with one game to play.

Nuggets 106, Thunder 101

In Oklahoma City, Ty Lawson scored 25 points, Kenneth Faried added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Denver beat the Thunder to avoid the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

Kevin Durant scored 32 points to extend his lead in the NBA scoring race, leaving Kobe Bryant in need of 38 points in his season finale Thursday night against Sacramento to claim his third scoring title and prevent Durant from becoming the seventh player to win three in a row.

Knicks 99, Clippers 93

In New York, J.R. Smith scored 21 points to help the Knicks hold off Los Angeles and close in on the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Magic 102, Bobcats 95

In Orlando, J.J. Redick had six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 31 points as Orlando sent Charlotte to its 22nd consecutive loss.

76ers 90, Bucks 85

In Milwaukee, Evan Turner scored a career-high 29 points and Philadelphia beat the Bucks.

Wizards 96, Cavaliers 85

In Cleveland, John Wall had 21 points and 13 assists to help Washington extend its longest winning streak since 2007 to five.

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Phoenix rout Albirex

Six Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix players scored in double figures as the hosts earned a 90-70 win over the visiting Niigata Albirex BB on Friday night in the bj-league.

Wayne Arnold paced the Phoenix (17-10 overall, 3-0 since Lawrence Blackledge joined the squad). Blackledge, who began the season with the Osaka Evessa, had 12 points and six blocked shots for the two-time defending champions.

Floor leader Jermaine Dixon added 14 points, eight assists and three steals for Hamamatsu, while Shoji Nakanishi scored 13, Jeffrey Parmer chipped in with 12 and Atsuya Ota had 10.

The Phoenix took a 44-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Niigata, which entered the game with a 2-0 record against Hamamatsu this season, fell to 16-11.

Nile Murry scored a team-high 20 points for the Albirex. Erron Maxey had an 18-point outing and Kimitake Sato contributed 11 points.

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Phoenix pile more woe on struggling Broncos

TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — The proof is in the record book, so go ahead and look it up.

The Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix know how to win basketball games. Good shooting and smart, aggressive defense get the job done for the two-time defending bj-league champions.

The Saitama Broncos, on the other hand, have a long way to go to reach that level. Saitama dropped its fifth straight game on Sunday, falling 87-70 to the Phoenix before a lively crowd at Tokorozawa Municipal Gymnasium.

Hamamatsu, which led by three points after one quarter, turned the game into a rout by outclassing the hosts in all facets in the second and third quarters, especially in the scoring department. The Eastern Conference-leading Phoenix (14-8) outscored the hosts 46-27 in the middle two quarters, including 25-9 in the second stanza to take a 50-31 edge into the locker room at halftime.

The Phoenix shot 18-for-36 from 2-point range and ran their offense like a smooth Ferrari coasting down a curvy mountain road to post another win over the Broncos. Jermaine Dixon orchestrated the offense with 18 points and seven assists, while Herve Lamizana continues to play at a high level since joining the club in November, with 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals in 18-plus minutes. Ex-Tokyo and Shimane forward Shoji Nakanishi scored 12 points and buried four 3-pointers. Gyno Pomare added 10 points. Reigning regular-season and Final Four MVP Jeffrey Parmer made three of Hamamatsu's 12 steals.

In the fourth quarter, Hamamatsu's scrappy, hustling play kept Saitama from mounting a serious comeback.

First-year Phoenix coach Ryuji Kawai commended his players' effort after the game. The key, he said, was "we played 40 minutes of basketball, gave 40 minutes of (good) effort."

Not shy to dish out praise to his players, Kawai didn't just speak about the team's well-known stars — Parmer, Wayne Arnold or Dixon. He spoke about the productive play of Nakanishi, Japan national team center Atsuya Ota and spitfire guard Yuki Yamaguchi (four points, four assists in 11:48). "These guys are stepping up their play," Kawai added.

Saitama (6-14), stuck in ninth place in the 10-team East, will look to regain its form against the host Iwate Big Bulls on Wednesday and Thursday.

Kenny Satterfield paced the Broncos with 18 points and five assists. Jayme Miller and Daiki Terashita each scored 15 and Yuki Kitamuki had 10. Two-time scoring champion John "Helicopter" Humphrey was held to seven points on 2-for-11 shooting. Newcomer Nashid Beard grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds in his second game in a Broncos uniform.

Saitama had 21 turnovers in the series finale. In the two-game series, the Broncos shot 45-for-130 from the field, including 12-for-48 from 3-point range. Sunday's output was 23-for-67 overall and 7-for-27 from beyond the arc, and there were scattered boos after the game ended.

"Hamamatsu did a very good job shooting the ball at a high percentage, 50 percent on 2s and 37.5 percent on 3s, so it's always going to be a challenge when a team like that is shooting very well," Broncos coach Natalie Nakase said.

The Broncos saw the game vanish from their reach early in the second quarter. Arnold and Nakanishi opened the quarter by hitting back-to-back 3s to make it 31-22, and the rout was on. In the game-changing second quarter, Hamamatsu was 5-for-7 from 3-point range.

During Saitama's losing streak, Nakase said the team is working to make improvements.

"We're waiting to get healthy, everybody healthy," she said. "We understand that we've been out without a few posts (frontcourt players), so I think as a team we've done a great job covering for each other in the post. Obviously, we've adjusted our defense. But we do understand at the same time that once we are all healthy we really feel we are going to be really effective."

After the loss, Nakase said the team's defensive rotations are something her players will work on in the coming weeks. "We tried to change during the game, something different, and we probably weren't prepared so much for the rotation," she admitted. "So yeah . . . that's something we can focus on. Be more aggressive in general. When we are allowed to play real, real aggressive, we have to make sure that we match that intensity."

Hannaryz 80, Northern Happinets 76 (OT)

In Kyoto, the Hannaryz outlasted Akita in overtime to stretch their winning streak to a franchise-best 12 games.

Rick Rickert and Sunao Murakami both scored 14 points for Kyoto (15-5). Taizo Kawabe scored 10 points and Jermaine Boyette had nine. Former NBA center Lance Allred, the author of two basketball books, had eight points and 11 rebounds. The Hannaryz haven't lost a game since Nov. 6.

Ricky Woods and E.J. Drayton led the Northern Happinets (13-9) with 16 points apiece, Ryosuke Mizumachi scored 14 and Kazuhiro Shoji had 11. Curtis Terry, NBA guard Jason Terry's half-brother, was 1-for-11 from 3-point range in the loss, finishing with nine points.

Evessa 61, 89ers 55

In Osaka, veteran guard Satoshi Takeda sank 3 of 4 3-points shots and scored 17 points as the Evessa completed a series sweep.

Lynn Washington, back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul, contributed 15 points and 12 boards for Osaka (15-5). Cohey Aoki added eight points and Lawrence Blackledge blocked four shots as the Evessa's defense kept Sendai below 60 points for the second straight game.

Johnny Dukes had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the 89ers (11-11) and Takehiko Shimura scored 16 points.

The 89ers shot 3-for-24 from beyond the 3-point arc.

"At least we were close both days, with a chance to win at the buzzer yesterday, and chance to tie it with about 1:09 left today," Sendai coach Bob Pierce said. "Still, all that's left is the pain of losing."

Rizing 93, Susanoo Magic 88

In Fukuoka, Carlos Dixon scored 32 points, Akitomo Takeno added 14 and the hosts earned a series sweep.

Kevin Palmer and Jermaine Dearman each had 13 points for Fukuoka (15-7).

Michael Parker led Shimane (12-10) with 24 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Reggie Golson had 20 points, B.J. Puckett chipped in with 14 and Tatsuhiro Yokoo had 10.

B-Corsairs 78, Brave Warriors 76

In Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, Justin Burrell paced Yokohama with 22 points as coach Reggie Geary's squad edged the hosts and recorded a series sweep.

Captain Masayuki Kabaya scored 16 points and Pape Mour Faye added 10 points and nine boards for the B-Corsairs (9-11).

Derek Raivio was Shinshu's top scorer with 24 points, Lee Roberts had 19 points and 20 rebounds and Edward Morris and Takanori Goya each had 10 points.

The Brave Warriors fell to 9-13.

Golden Kings 87, HeatDevils 63

In Kitsuki, Oita Prefecture, Naoto Kosuge had a 20-point outing, Anthony McHenry scored 19 and Ryukyu improved to 12-2 on the road.

David Palmer scored 17 points for the Western Conference-leading Golden Kings (17-5) and Narito Namizato dished out eight assists.

For Oita, T.J. Cummings scored 22 points and Zach Atkinson posted a double-double (15 points, 20 boards). Kohei Mitomo and Naoto Takushi finished with 11 points apiece for the HeatDevils (4-18).

Shining Suns 103, Five Arrows 66

In Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture, Dexter Lyons had a 29-point performance and Tsubasa Yonezawa scored 18 points after a season-high 16 in the series opener a day earlier as the hosts bounced back from a loss.

Miyazaki improved to 10-12.

Paul Butorac led Takamatsu (1-21) with 19 points.

Lakestars 89, Big Bulls 74

In Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, balanced scoring carried the hosts past Iwate.

Shiga's Ray Nixon had a team-high 19 points, followed by Josh Peppers' 18, Dionisio Gomez's 17 and Shinya Ogawa's 11. The Lakestars (15-7) lost the opener on Saturday.

Thomas Kennedy paced the Big Bulls (6-16) with 18 points. Yoshiaki Yamamoto scored 14 and Hayato Kantake had 12.

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Golden Kings, Phoenix reach final

The Ryukyu Golden Kings built a big enough cushion — 19 points to be precise — to sustain a spirited Osaka Evessa comeback. And that's exactly what they did.

Golden ticket: Ryukyu's David Palmer drives against Osaka's Tseng Wen-ting in the bj-league Western Conference final on Saturday. The Golden Kings won 82-76. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTO

The Evessa cut it to five in the final minute, but suffered an 82-76 defeat to their archrival in the bj-league's Western Conference final on Saturday night at Ariake Colosseum. Ryukyu, the 2008-09 champion, advanced to the title game against the Eastern Conference final champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix. Sunday's title match tips off at 5:05 p.m.

David Palmer paced the Golden Kings, the regular-season conference champ, with 24 points and Anthony McHenry poured in 23, including a pair of big dunks that he said "gave the team a spark."

Kings standout Carlos Dixon scored 20, Shigeyuki Kinjo had eight and Naoto Kosuge added seven. Big man Jeff Newton, whose 50 points propelled the Kings past the Evessa in the conference final two seasons ago, didn't score in his 18-plus minutes, finishing with three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Nursing an ankle injury that kept him out of the Shiga Lakestars series two weeks ago, Newton was about 60 percent, coach Dai Oketani said. But having Newton in the game, as a vital player, "helped make the other players better," the coach said.

Said McHenry: "We (wanted to use the zone) to keep them out of the paint." With the man-to-man defense, he added, the key was to build a wall behind the person with the ball.

This approach helped to slow down Osaka point guard Kenny Satterfield, who finished 1-for-6 shooting with four points, though he did have six assists. Blackwell said Sattefield was aggressive in creating shots for his teammates, but they were not always capitalizing on open shots or space the defense gave them.

Washington, the linchpin of the three Evessa title-winning team, had a team-high 25 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter to spearhead Osaka's comeback. Veteran teammate Billy Knight contributed 23 points and 9-for-10 shooting at the line. Center Wayne Marshall scored 12 points.

The Evessa were 19-for-49 from inside the 3-point arc as Ryukyu's disciplined 2-3 zone and man-to-man defense worked well throughout the game.

"Hats off to Okinawa," first-year Evessa coach Ryan Blackwell said. "They had a good game plan. We fought back twice, but in the third quarter, we just didn't get back on defense."

Washington said, "It sucks to lose." He added that "every time I come here to Ariake I am confident (in leading) the team to victory. I always feel I'm prepared (to do that)."

Palmer, on the other hand, was all smiles after the triumph.

"It was a hard fought game," he said. "We were able to keep fighting for the win."

The players, though, gave Oketani a reason to voice his disgust on the sideline. "He was angry we let them get back in the game in the fourth quarter," Palmer admitted."

Last season, Osaka handed Ryukyu a stunning 84-56 defeat in the West final. For the third straight year, the teams faced off in the West final, giving the teams' loyal fans another chance to show their enthusiasm from the get-go.

The Evessa, vying for their fifth title game appearance in six seasons, trailed 64-49 after three quarters, not an impossible hole to dig out of, but a major obstacle to overcome.

Blackwell's charges were down 68-49 after sharpshooter Palmer flushed a pair of baseline jumpers from right side on back-to-back possessions.

Through three quarters, the Evessa were 16-for-51 from the field, including 1-for-11 on 3s. The Golden Kings were 21-for-52 entering the fourth quarter, but that included 18-for-33 on 2s, including 10-for-14 combined for Palmer and McHenry.

Washington picked up a pair of quick fouls in the first quarter, sending him to the bench early. When he re-entered the game at the 5:47 mark of the second, the Golden Kings led 25-17, with the last three of those points coming on a McHenry jam and his free throw.

The Golden Kings turned a one-point game into a 32-30 lead courtesy of a 13-3 run, including Palmer and Kinjo 3-pointers.

But the Evessa rallied back, getting big production from Knight to close out the half. He scored eight points during a 10-2 spurt to pull Osaka within 34-34 with 39.1 seconds left in the half.

Palmer then drilled three free throws after being fouled in the act of shooting a long-range shot, pushing the Ryukyu lead back to five. Yonamine produced the final points of the half at the charity stripe. That made it 39-32, Ryukyu.

In the East Conference final, Ray Nixon scored 25 points and Jeffrey Parmer added 23 to lead a well-balanced offensive attack as the Phoenix routed the Niigata Albirex BB 88-74 to reach the title game for a second straight season.

The Phoenix, boosted by Masahiro Oguchi's nine points and eight apiece by Shingo Okada and Dzaflo Larkai, made 21 of 32 shots from inside the 3-point arc and got timely 3s to keep the Albirex from putting together any sustained runs in the final three periods.

The Albirex trailed by as many as 27 points, falling behind 80-53 on Oguchi's second free throw with midway through the fourth.

Like a fighter delivering a series of hard punches to the gut before throwing the knockout punch, the Phoenix's aggressive play on defense and ball movement created an impressive performance for those in attendance.

"That's just how we wants us to play," said Nixon, referring to coach Kazuo Nakamura's game plan. "We play as hard as we can for 40 minutes . . . from start to finish."

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