The Suns staged a late comeback against the Spurs last night, winning Game 4 104-98 thanks to a 12-1 run to close the game.  On the surface, it looks exactly like the kind of tough, crunch-time victory the Suns needed to get back in the series both physically and mentally.  Unfortunately, the fallout from Robert Horry's forearm shiver that sent Steve Nash flying into the scorer's table may have turned the game into a Pyrrhic victory for the Suns: Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw are looking at likely Game 5 suspensions because they left the bench in the ensuing scuffle.

A cursory look around the bloggerhood finds fans disappointed in the way things shook out:

•  MJD at the FanHaus takes an in-depth look at how the suspensions are unavoidable. Bonus: video of the flagrant foul and altercation.

•  100% Injury Rate decries the growing tactic of using a role player to flagrantly foul a star, and what the NBA needs to do about it.

•  TrueHoop is disappointed that the refs were key members of the Suns last night.

My feelings?  I'm glad you asked.  I think the whole system is fucked up and unfair.  I don't understand what waiting for sex accomplishes, when the sex itself is going to be one of the most important aspects of the relationship.  I mean, might as well see if it works sooner rather than later, y'know? 

Oh.  My feelings about the game.  Yeah, fuck Robert Horry.

Goddammit, geeks can be really funny sometimes, and not just when you push them down a set of stairs. 

I'd like to point out that this gentleman lives in Tacoma, the birthplace of this website's handsome, funny, humble editor.  It's a nice city.  The putrid smell from the paper mills has really been toned down over the last decade or so.

(Much love to Bethlehem Shoals at the FanHaus for the clip)

Am I the only one who thinks that Steve Nash's nose bandage is an aesthetic improvement?  It gives him some much-needed breadth to his bridge.  Well, however it looked, it didn't affect his game last night (20 points, 16 assists, only 3 turnovers — mmmm, turnovers) as the Suns shut down the Spurs 101-81 in Game 2 to even their series.

Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni started defensive specialist Kurt Thomas to cover Tim Duncan, and Shawn Marion put the shackles on Tony Parker as the Suns mixed it up by turning in in an actual defensive effort.  Weird.  Despite a slow start, things still clicked on offense for the Suns, who got 27 points from Amare Stoudemire, 18 from Raja Bell (???), and 12 from Thomas on 6-for-7 shooting. 

On the other side of the court, Duncan was the only Spur to turn in a decent game, with 11 rebounds and 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting.  Manu Ginobili (pictured here reacting to a gentle breeze) and Tony Parker were key disappointments, and not even the play of Fabricio (Oh Boy!) Oberto could save San Antonio.

Elsewhere in the NBA, Cleveland extended the least impressive win streak in playoff history by beating the Nets.  LeBron did this; Vince Carter did this.  Nuff said. 

The San Antonio Spurs bested the Phoenix Suns today 111-106 to win Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinal series and steal home court advantage.  Eva "Lady Macbeth" Longoria almost certainly instructed her effete fiancé, Tony Parker, to draw Steve Nash's blood with a craven head-butt in order to decimate his strength.

With blood spewing from a cut on his nose, Steve Nash could only watch from the bench while the San Antonio Spurs put away Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.  "There was nothing I could do," he said. "It was obviously frustrating, but it was really out of my hands."

That dastardly Tony Parker will receive his comeuppance if I remember my Shakespeare correctly.  Of course, I'm only familiar with the Bard through Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck's Looney Tunes, so I'm thinking Mr. Parker will be stonewalled by a lane pick placed by an Acme anvil wearing a Suns uniform.  Tim Duncan offered this gem:

The score was a bit high for Duncan's liking. "We'd rather play in the 90s, we'd rather play in the 80s," he said.

Um, is that a Zen koan?  In other hot NBA action today, the Cavaliers beat the Nets 81-77 to take the first game of that series.  Somebody told me that the Bulls began their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with the Pistons yesterday, but I think I would remember some highlights of Chicago scoring some points.  It's not like the potent Bulls offense could be held to under thirty points in a half.  I do know that the Jazz finally eliminated the Rockets, so Boozer and the boys will face the unstoppable Warriors.  Utah really needs to change their nickname because when I hear 'Jazz', I think heroin and saxophones.  When I hear 'Utah', I think salinated water and anti-masturbation campaigns. -KD

All week long, all I could think about was how excited I was to watch the Suns-Mavs matchup. Then I didn't get to see it. I missed a back-and-forth double-overtime thriller between the NBA's two best and most exciting teams in order to bring you a With Leather exclusive (coming later today).

Anyway, the game: Nash 32 points, 16 dimes, and 8 boards; Amare 41 (on 16-of-19!) and 10; Dirk 30 and 16 but with two missed free throws at the end of regulation and a missed 8-footer that ended the game; and Jerry Stackhouse 33 points off the bench. Nash buried a three at the end of regulation to send it into OT, and Jason Terry returned the favor to send it into a second one. Both teams trailed by at least 15 in the second half. Final score: 129-127, Suns.

Can't. Believe. I missed it.

The rematch and final showdown for these two juggernauts (mmmm… jugs) is April 1st in Phoenix, and it'll be the last chance to see them face off until the Western Conference Finals, AKA the Actual NBA Finals. Stupid crappy East.

There was much excitement for Agent Zero and the Wizards to host the streaking Suns last night. After all, Gilbert Arenas still has his Olympic team feud with Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, right?

Ummm… no. The Suns opened the game with 41 points in the first quarter and never looked back, cruising to a 127-105 victory at wherever Washington plays their home games… the MCI Center, I think. Steve Nash — who briefly sported a mustache yesterday — had 14 assists and scored 27 points on 11-of-13 shooting, which is over 50% of his shots. Pretty good.

"I did hear that they wanted to be the Phoenix Suns of the East," said Amare Stoudemire, who had 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting. "I think there's only one Phoenix Suns, and we rest in the West. And that's how it's going to be for a while."

Oh. Oh no. Wizards, you just got SERVED! Everybody stand back! There might be some yard-stomping, and I don't want anyone to get hurt.