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Kidd's play Kidd's triple-double keys Suns' 110-102 defeat of Blazers
Posted: Saturday December 18, 1999 01:59 AM
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Jason Kidd is making new coach Scott Skiles' learning curve into a smooth, gentle slope. Kidd got his first triple-double of the season and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 Friday night. The victory was tempered when forward Tom Gugliotta was rushed to the hospital after suffering a seizure on the team bus. Kidd had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as Phoenix improved to 2-0 under Skiles, who took over for coach when Danny Ainge abruptly resigned on Monday. "I've seen him play so many times. You think he's never going to surprise you," Skiles said. "But that's as good a game as I've seen from a point guard. He played a great, great game." Gugliotta had 17 points and 14 rebounds and seemed fine as he answered questions in the locker room after the game, but apparently collapsed on the bus. Little else was released about the incident, only that he was breathing. Gugliotta was in serious condition, said hospital spokeswoman Fran Woodcock. She gave no further details, saying that doctors are "evaluating him." Phoenix, had lost 13 of its last 16 games to Portland, including a 3-0 sweep by the Blazers in the first round of the playoffs last season. And the Suns trailed by double digits early on before a 36-point third quarter helped them pull away. Clifford Robinson scored 14 of his 23 points in the pivotal third and hit all four of his 3-pointers. Kidd had nine points and seven assists in the period. "It was a big game, because it gives us the confidence that we can beat those guys," said Robinson, who played his first eight seasons in Portland. "In the third, Jason penetrated and did a tremendous job finding me." Phoenix stayed in fourth place in the Pacific Division 31/2 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Damon Stoudamire had 22 points and Scottie Pippen 19 and 10 rebounds for the Blazers. Kidd, who surpassed his season high of 29 points, has 27 career triple-doubles. "He carried that team," said Portland's Brian Grant. "Everybody on that team did what they had to do to win, and that's what we've got to do." Phoenix trailed by 12 early in the second quarter but took the lead for good with a 20-2 run during a 5:40 stretch late in the period and into the third. Robinson's first 3-pointer, which followed three straight jumpers by Kidd, completed the burst and gave Phoenix a 64-55 lead. The Suns then took complete control as Robinson hit three more 3s to make it 83-69 with 2:45 left in the period. For the quarter, Phoenix made 14 of 22 shots (64 percent), including 5 of 7 from 3-point range. "We weathered the storm early in the game, short three regulars, and it was a gutsy performance," said Skiles, 35, who became the NBA's youngest coach when Ainge resigned, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. The Suns played without injured starters Anfernee Hardaway (foot), Luc Longley (back spasms) and Shawn Marion (left knee). "I think they were surprised that we were able to maintain without Penny and the other guys," Robinson said. "We're just trying to hang in until we get those guys back." Stoudamire scored nine points in the first quarter, and Portland led 38-26 with 8:51 to go in the second when Phoenix started to come back. The Suns crept within 43-42 on a tough rebound and layup by Kidd. The Blazers pushed the lead to nine, but Phoenix scored the last seven points of the quarter, and a tip-in by Oliver Miller brought the Suns to 53-51 at halftime. "We were confident at halftime, down only two, and we thought if we could come out aggressive, we could sneak out a W," Kidd said. "And that's what happened tonight." Robinson tied it at 53 with a jumper to start the third, and the Blazers didn't lead again. Rasheed Wallace added 16 points for the Blazers, who had won three straight. Notes: Phoenix is 10-0 when shooting at least 45 percent. The Suns shot 49 percent Friday. ... Phoenix got its first road win over a winning team. Its previous wins had come at Chicago, New Jersey and the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Greg Anthony scored 11 points and hit 3-of-6 3-pointers for the Blazers. The reserve guard, who averaged 8 points and shot 32 percent from 3-point range in the first 21 games of the season, has averaged 14 points and made 12 of 17 3s in his last three games. ... The Blazers have lost three of their last five home games after starting 5-0.
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