National Basketball Association

Nash gets aggressive in Game 1

Published May. 4, 2010 8:27 a.m. ET

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In three contentious playoff series dating back to 2005 against the San Antonio Spurs – all cruel eliminators for the Phoenix Suns – Steve Nash suffered a bloodied nose in an ugly collision with Tony Parker and was hip-checked into the scorer’s table by Robert Horry.

The plucky point guard threw the first punch this time, however.

Few in the NBA can control a game like Nash, who continues to play at his two-time MVP level at 36, even with a faulty hip. The Suns brain trust wanted the reluctant scorer who thinks pass first to come out aggressive offensively and push the basketball.

He did. Right to the hoop.

George Hill, meet your elder, Mr. Nash. Out of the gate, the 14-year veteran in his 102nd playoff game pushed the pace and punished Hill, the young, rising Spurs guard who enjoyed a breakout first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks and Jason Kidd.

Hill’s 11th postseason game set him and the Spurs back in Game 1 of this Western Conference semifinal series. Nash set the tone for a 111-102 victory with 17 of his game-high 33 points in a drive-to-the-hole start.

In a game that featured 56 in-the-paint points by the Suns – a dramatic role reversal when these two teams collide – Nash lowered his head and ignited the paint parade with five driving layups in the opening quarter.

“Steve,’’ said Spurs coach Greg Popovich, “ran it down out throats.’’

Mainly Hill’s, to be precise.

The attack mode put the Spurs on their heels and opened up the game for Amar’e Stoudmire and Jason Richardson, who also lit up the kid in the second quarter en route to a 27-point salvo the Suns turned out needing in a nip-and-tuck second half.

Hill ended up on the bench with three fouls in the first half, didn’t start the second in favor of Parker and missed seven of nine shots.

Nash downplayed his role. “I was fortunate to get some opportunities early to be aggressive and try to put some life into the building,’’ he said. “You never know what the game is going to present. You have to be willing and aggressive and do whatever you can.’’

He was coming off a series-closer against the Portland Trail Blazers in which he said he was “dragging’’ his leg around because of his hip ailment. But three days rest helped.

“It felt great to get out there and feel like I could do something.’’

These aren’t the same Suns the Spurs have kicked around all these years. The Evil Empire, as they’re known in the desert, has run into a demon themselves.

“They’re definitely better,’’ said Duncan. “Definitely deeper.’’

And definitely more defensive-minded. Even Nash chipped in Monday as the Spurs stumbled to a 42-percent shooting first half.

Offensively, the same high-octane offense is in place. In three regular-season games, the Suns averaged 112.7 points and shot 51.7 percent against the Spurs. Monday night? They were right on cue again.

Although the series is rife with history, Suns coach Alvin Gentry went out of his way to say that had little bearing on this team. In fact, of the 29 players on both teams’ rosters, only nine played in past series.

Of course, Nash is one of them, perhaps the most tormented Sun in their cursed postseason history against the Spurs. Although he got this series off to the right start, he knows not to take the Spurs lightly.

“We haven’t done anything yet,’’ he said.

Stoudemire agreed: “Can’t get too excited. They have a great pedigree.’’

Nash kick-started the Suns out to a 14-point bulge in the first half, but this game wasn’t locked up until the final period. Before the game, Gentry, asked about Hill’s play, lauded him, but then reminded everyone about the Spurs' other point guard.

“They have a guy who was the MVP of the NBA Finals coming off the bench now.’’

Parker nearly stole this game for the Spurs. In the third quarter, he got the Big Three in gear. Duncan blocked shots and banked in a bucket. Manu Ginobili drove to the basket and bombed threes. And Parker ran the show, sending the Spurs ahead 67-64.

Nash, however, righted the ship, fueling a 25-8 breakaway that still wasn’t enough to put away the Spurs, who closed to within 94-93 before wilting down the stretch.

The series has only begun, but this was a game to savor for the Suns. Popovich, a wine-maker and connossieur, sent Gentry, an old friend, a case of what he called “the good stuff” before the series began.

“Very good, very good,’’ said Gentry. “I just drank some to calm my nerves.’’

Now he can sip a glass to celebrate a rare series lead against the Spurs.