Spurs-Suns: The Sun is About to Set in Phoenix

The Spurs came away from Phoenix with a 115-99 victory and a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

With Tony Parker putting on an offensive show, the Spurs jumped out to a 33-19 first-quarter lead. The Suns cut the lead to six points, but that was as close as they got.

Tim Duncan joined Parker on the offensive front and did a good job of slowing down Amare Stoudemire, as the Spurs matched the Suns' 28 second-quarter points.

The Spurs reverted to their usual hack-a-Shaq tactics during the closing minutes and opened their lead to 61-47 at halftime.

The Spurs, who led the entire way, rolled out to a 20-point lead early in the second half and did not look back. They ended the third quarter ahead of the Suns, 91-72.

In the final stanza, Leandro Barbosa had four straight layups to cut the lead down to 15 points. Boris Diaw added two free throws to reduce it to 13.

However, Parker, Duncan and Ginobili would not let the Suns get any closer, keeping the pressure on at the offensive end.

It was the best scoring performance of Tony Parker’s career. He finished with 41 points, 12 assists and five rebounds.

It was also the best scoring performance so far in the series for the Spurs, who were considerably more dominant on the road than they were at home, shooting an incredible 58 percent.

Duncan had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ginobili finished with 20 points and 5 rebounds.

For the Suns, who are now just one game away from being swept in the first round, Steve Nash had just seven points to go along with nine assists.  Amare Stoudemire wound up with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

Shaquille O’Neal finished with 19 points and six rebounds. Barbosa added 20 points, but it was not enough as the Suns had breakdowns defensively and no answer for the Spurs pick-and-rolls.

Facing elimination and nearly insurmountable odds, Phoenix could see the sun set on their dreams of gaining an NBA Championship when they face the Spurs in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.