02.04.2004

PHOENIX (99) AT MEMPHIS (109)
Stats

Once again, James Posey helped 
the Memphis Grizzlies stay red-hot as they continue to re-write
the team record book.

Posey scored 32 points on 10-of-16 shooting as the Grizzlies won
their seventh straight game, a 109-99 victory over the Phoenix
Suns.

The 6-8 Posey, a candidate for Most Improved Player, made his
first six shots in the contest and picked up right where he left
off Monday night, when he scored a career-high 38 points at
Atlanta.

"I'm letting the game come to me," Posey said.  "I take my shots
with confidence.  Everything is in the flow of the game."

"We were kidding in (the locker room) and I told him if he keeps
this up he'll be challenging (scoring leaders Allen) Iverson
and (Tracy) McGrady," Memphis coach Hubie Brown said.  "So then
Bonzi (Wells) yells at him that 'Then he'll be saying no
practice.'"

The Suns took a 77-74 lead on a basket by Antonio McDyess with
3:36 remaining in the third period.  The Grizzlies closed the
quarter on a 9-2 run and never looked back.

Memphis extended the run into the fourth quarter, going on a
20-4 spurt that bridged the periods and took a 94-81 lead with
8:09 to play.

The Grizzlies had 31 assists as a team, led by Jason Williams'
nine.

"I just try to get out and push the ball whenever I can so we
can get some easy baskets," Williams said.  "We're just taking
it one game at a time.  I don't even think about the playoffs."

Memphis (49-26) moved two games ahead of Dallas for fifth place
in the Western Conference.  The Grizzlies have won 15 of their
last 17 home games.

"Coach Hubie has got their rotation down pat," Phoenix forward
Shawn Marion said.  "Nobody out there is getting tired.  They
also play great defense as well as finish with the ball.  I'm
happy they made the playoffs this year."

The Grizzlies made their first five 3-pointers on their way to
shooting 8-of-14 from the arc.

"The difference of the game was that they shot 57 percent for
threes and that hurt us," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"(Hubie Brown) has done a great job.  He'll probably be the
Coach of the Year."

Memphis is 24-5 since February 1 and continued to add to its
team records for wins (49), home wins (30), and games over .500
(23).

Wells did not play in the second half due to back spasms.

Amare Stoudemire scored 31 points to lead the Suns, who have the
worst record in the Western Conference (26-50).

"Posey got off to a great start," Stoudemire said.  "It was hard
to contain him.  We have to buckle down on defense and learn
how to play together as a unit."