--Portland (8-6) went into the game with four players shooting better than .400 from 3-point range (F Travis Outlaw, .527; G Steve Blake, .446; G Rudy Fernandez, .457 and rookie F Nicolas Batum, .407). And G Brandon Roy wasn't far behind at .387.
--Portland coach Nate McMillan says Steve Nash is the key to the Suns, not Shaquille O'Neal, despite the big man's effectiveness Saturday. "Phoenix is Nash's team," McMillan said. O'Neal "does what he does, which is establish the post. ... He was down there deep, and he was able to score and make some plays kicking the ball out." But, McMillan said, "The guy is Nash. He's still orchestrating that offense and getting everybody involved. ... That show runs with Nash."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's one more loss right now. I don't even look at the big streak, because we haven't beat any of the good teams on the road." -- G Brandon Roy, on the fact that Portland has lost 11 consecutive games to the Suns, and nine straight at Phoenix.
