Suns run past D-League Select

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The Phoenix Suns (1-2) used a 21-4 run over a span of 5:39 in the second half to claim their first win in the 2010 NBA Summer League Monday evening. The Suns, who had to overcome a 10-point deficit, led by as much as 13 late in the contest en route to defeating the NBA D-League Select (0-1) by a 96-88 margin.

The Suns trailed by double-digits on two different occasions and as late as the 5:39 mark of the third quarter, but watched as their offense turned things around. Phoenix outscored the NBA D-League Select 41-28 over the remainder of the contest.

"I think overall everyone was more comfortable," noted Dan Majerle, Phoenix's NBA Summer League head coach, talking about the team's third game. "Earl (Clark) was better. Gani (Lawal) was running the floor better. Our big guys came in and ran the floor well. I think it was just a matter of our guys getting to know each other a little better."

Phoenix had four players score 15 or more points with Clark pacing the team with 18. Scottie Reynolds added 16 points of his own, while Lawal and Matt Janning both had 15. Lawal had a rare triple-double of sorts, as he added a game-high 11 rebounds with 10 fouls.

The first half featured six lead changes and nine ties with the NBA D-League Select owning the lead for the majority of the first 20 minutes of action. They started the game on a quick 5-0 spurt before seeing the Suns' offense come to life with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The teams swapped the lead once more with 1:10 remaining in the opening stanza that gave the NBA D-League Select the edge until midway through the second frame.

The two combined for two ties and two lead changes during a 1:10 stretch in the middle of the second. The NBA D-League Select outscored the Suns 16-10 from the 4:51 mark to the half for a six-point lead at intermission, 55-49.

The NBA D-League Select got 17 points from Russell Robinson (Maine Red Claws), as he scored nine of those from the free throw line. Curtis Withers (Dakota Wizards) followed closely behind with 16 tallies, as did Mike Gansey (Erie BayHawks) with 15.

Larry Owens (Tulsa 66ers) and Jonathan Wallace (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) cracked the double-digit barrier with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

For more on Summer League, check out NBA.com

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