Bell, Suns scorch Nets

Basketball Betting Lines

11/04/2008 - East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Raja Bell had a game-high 22 points, including a 6-of-6 performance from three-point range, and the Phoenix Suns crushed the New Jersey Nets, 114-86.

Shaquille O'Neal had 18 points and six rebounds for the Suns, who have won two in a row and three of four to open the season. Steve Nash had 12 points and 11 assists for the Suns, who shot 63.2 percent from the field and overcame 20 turnovers.

Vince Carter had 19 points and five assists to pace the Nets, who have lost two straight after a season-opening win at Washington. Yi Jianlian added 15 points and eight boards. Bobby Simmons and Devin Harris had 11 points each, with Harris also doling out seven helpers.

An Amare Stoudemire three-point play, followed by a three-pointer from Matt Barnes, gave the Suns an early 16-5 lead.

The Nets fought back and made it a one-possession game late in the first, though a Grant Hill jumper gave the Suns a 32-27 lead heading into the second quarter.

Phoenix then opened a 65-55 lead at the half.

The teams traded baskets and the Suns' lead hovered around 10 points. A Carter jumper and a Simmons three-pointer pulled the Nets within 80-73 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

However, the Suns scorched the Nets and ended the stanza on a 12-4 run. Stoudemire sparked the run with a dunk and closed it out with a finger roll to send Phoenix into the final frame leading 92-77.

The Suns outscored their counterparts 19-3 over the course of the first 8:45 of the fourth quarter. Goran Dragic's layup sparked the run and Sean Singletary's jumper closed it out to give Phoenix a commanding 111-80 lead.

The game also featured the first professional matchup of the Lopez brothers - Robin of the Suns and Brook of the Nets. The duo combined for four points on 2-of-10 shooting, but they had a combined five blocks.

Game Notes

New Jersey had nine total points in the fourth quarter...Phoenix shot 67 percent (12-of-18) from three-point range and 70 percent (16-of-23) from the foul line. Compared to New Jersey's 34 percent (28-of-83) from the field, 32 percent (7-of-22) from beyond the arc and 89 percent (23-of-26) from the foul line...The Suns had 31 assists on their 43 field goals, whereas the Nets had only 16 assists on 28 field goals...The Suns' Alando Tucker is out for the next two to four weeks with tightness in his left hamstring...Phoenix has won five straight games versus the Nets.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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