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Warriors Playoff Hopes Ended by Amare, Suns

Denver clinches eighth seed in the Western Conference

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2008 12:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Amare Stoudemire scored 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Phoenix recovered after blowing a 17-point lead to beat Golden State 122-116 Monday, eliminating the Warriors from playoff contention and securing the final playoff spot in the West for Denver. Steve Nash nearly had a triple-double with 13 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds.

The Suns remained in the midst of a scramble for playoff positioning and a possible home-court advantage in the first round. Stephen Jackson scored 16 of his 23 points in the Warriors' third-quarter comeback though Golden State played nearly the entire second half without Baron Davis, who was benched by coach Don Nelson after going 2-for-13 in just under 17 minutes.

Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal (32) gets a rebound after a missed shot by Golden State Warriors' Baron Davis in the first quarter of an NBA game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal (32) gets a rebound after a missed shot by Golden State Warriors' Baron Davis in the first quarter of an NBA game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Golden State Warriors' Austin Croshere, left, drives to the basket on Phoenix Suns' Gordan Giricek, right, of Croatia, in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.
Golden State Warriors' Austin Croshere, left, drives to the basket on Phoenix Suns' Gordan Giricek, right, of Croatia, in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix....   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns' Brian Skinner (54) gets his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors' Mickael Pietrus (2), of France, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns' Brian Skinner (54) gets his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors' Mickael Pietrus (2), of France, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Golden State Warriors' Al Harrington, left, Kosta Perovic, center, of Serbia, and Baron Davis watch the closing moments of their loss to the Phoenix Suns Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.
Golden State Warriors' Al Harrington, left, Kosta Perovic, center, of Serbia, and Baron Davis watch the closing moments of their loss to the Phoenix Suns Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire (1) gets off a shot as he is fouled by Golden State Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike, center, and Mickael Pietrus, right, try to defend Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire (1) gets off a shot as he is fouled by Golden State Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike, center, and Mickael Pietrus, right, try to defend Monday, April 14, 2008, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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