Memphis, TN (My Sportsbook) - Leandro Barbosa recorded 11 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter and the
Phoenix Suns finished with the contest on a 25-5 run to get the better of the
Memphis Grizzlies, 101-89.
Shaquille O'Neal logged 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Grant Hill had a solid all-around performance with 15 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists for Phoenix, which has won 10 straight against the Grizzlies and three of four overall.
Hakim Warrick came off the bench to lead Memphis with 25 points, while Marc Gasol chipped in 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who were coming off back-to-back overtime defeats.
Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, but shot a combined 10-for-35 in the loss.
The Suns, who were already without two-time MVP Steve Nash due to back problems, watched Amare Stoudemire get thrown out of the game with 3:52 left in the first half after the big man got into a verbal tussle with the referee that whistled him for his third foul.
The Grizzlies took advantage and led 49-46 at the break and extended that to a 78-70 advantage with 12 minutes to play.
But Barbosa put the Suns on his shoulders midway through the fourth. Trailing 84-76, the Brazilian, who got the start with Nash sitting out, scored five straight points, and later added a three after an O'Neal free throw for an 85-84 lead with 6:18 to play.
Warrick threw down a dunk off a missed basket around the four-minute mark that brought the hosts within 91-89, but it proved to be Memphis' final points.
After three Suns free throws, Hill converted a three-point play and Jason Richardson drilled one from downtown, as Phoenix went ahead, 100-89, with 86 seconds left to come away victorious.
Even with Stoudemire on the floor the Suns trailed 27-21 after 12 minutes of action.
Game Notes
Memphis has lost seven of its last eight games overall...Grizzlies rookie Darrell Arthur left the game in the first quarter with a concussion....The Suns, who overcame 18 turnovers, owned a 50-34 rebounding edge...Stoudemire had eight points and four rebounds in 11 1/2 minutes of play.
