The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
34°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Richardson leads Suns

Phoenix forward Shawn Marion, right, comes in from behind to block a shot by Portland forward Zach Randolph. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Phoenix forward Shawn Marion, right, comes in from behind to block a shot by Portland forward Zach Randolph. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Quentin Richardson used some long-range shooting to end the Phoenix Suns’ short losing spell.

Richardson had his own 12-point run, on four 3-pointers, and scored 37 points to lift the Suns to a 121-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Portland.

He made eight 3s overall to help Phoenix forget about its 97-93 loss Friday to Minnesota that snapped a nine-game winning streak.

“I definitely felt like I couldn’t miss,” Richardson said. “The way those shots came down I didn’t think I was going to miss.”

Shawn Marion had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who led by as many as 25 points.

“For us to regroup and get a good win over a good team, it says a lot about us, especially on the road,” Marion said. “Sometimes it takes a little bit more off of you on the road.”

The Blazers, coming off a 99-89 loss in Seattle on Saturday night, were led by Zach Randolph with 24 points and 11 rebounds. It was his ninth double-double of the season.

After the game, coach Maurice Cheeks huddled with his players. Later he suggested some lineup changes might be in store for the Blazers, who host Boston on Thursday.

“I’m not saying I’m going to do it but I’ll be thinking about it,” he said.

Kings 119, Celtics 105: Peja Stojakovic had 27 points, including six 3-pointers, to help Sacramento beat visiting Boston for its fourth straight win.

The Celtics blew an 18-point lead after one quarter as the Kings won for the 11th time in 12 games. Sacramento cut the lead to eight points by halftime and seized control with a 12-0 run to start the third.

NBA won’t try to block appeals

The NBA told the players’ union it will not try to block a grievance hearing over the severity of suspensions given to several players following the Pacers-Pistons brawl.

Arbitrator Roger Kaplan will preside over the hearing Thursday and Friday at a Manhattan law office. Suspended Pacers players Ron Artest, Jermaine O’Neal and Stephen Jackson are expected to attend. Artest was sidelined for the season, Jackson for 30 games and O’Neal for 25 for fighting with fans Nov. 19.

Indiana’s Anthony Johnson, who has already served a six-game suspension, also is contesting his punishment.