Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala (R) and Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell (19) during fourth quarter action in Philadelphia, Feb. 28, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 2 -- The Phoenix Suns lost a road game to an Eastern Conference opponent for the first time this season, dropping a 94-99 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

    The Suns were a perfect 14-0 in East arenas heading into the contest, but never led as they narrowly missed out on becoming the first team ever to sweep all their road games against the opposite conference in a season.

    The defeat leaves Phoenix tied with Philadelphia as the only teams to lose just one road game against the opposite conference, the 76ers completing the feat in the 1982-83 season on their way to the National Basketball Association championship.

    Phoenix was without Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw and the lowly Sixers took advantage, winning for just the 20th time in 58 games.

    "Obviously we missed Marion. We missed Diaw, too," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters.

    "The focus wasn't there and we got a little sloppy at the end."

    In other NBA games, it was: Heat 92, Wizards 83; Celtics 102, Knicks 94; Jazz 104, Grizzlies 88; Hornets 107, Hawks 100; Raptors 106, Rockets 90; Bulls 113, Warriors 83; Nuggets 111, Magic 101; Kings 135, Bobcats 120; and Clippers 96, SuperSonics 91.

The Houston Rockets' Shane Battier (31) is fouled by Toronto Raptors ' Chris Bosh (R) in the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game in Houston February 28, 2007. At left is Raptors' Kris Humphries. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    In Philadelphia, the Sixers surprised the Suns with an energetic first quarter, scoring 35 points for one of their best starts in what has been a poor season.

    Philadelphia maintained the lead throughout the contest, but Leandro Barbosa hit a three-pointer with 4:27 left to tie the scores at 84-84 as the Suns put on a late charge.

    However, the Sixers kept their composure and regained the lead, much to the delight of the 15,914 fans in the stands.

    The Suns (44-14) saw their five-game winning streak snapped while the Sixers' win was just their third in eight games.

    Andre Iguodala scored 24 points to lead the 76ers, while Willie Green added 20 points.

    Kyle Korver chipped in with 16 points and made all seven of his free throws, as Philadelphia finished a perfect 18-for-18 from the line.

    Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, while Steve Nash had 23 points and nine assists even though he left the game briefly in the first half to get a sore ankle taped.

    The Suns were out-rebounded 50-37 and were held to just 15 points in the third quarter to trail by 11 points heading into the final frame, a margin they never managed to bridge.

    In Washington, Shaquille O'Neal took over in the fourth quarter, assuming command of the paint by scoring 10 of his season-high 23 points to lead Miami.

    In a game without Dwyane Wade, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison - and with Gilbert Arenas having another poor shooting night - O'Neal became the unstoppable star when it mattered most. He scored all 12 of Miami's points over a 13-minute span.

    Jason Williams also scored 23 points, and Udonis Haslem had 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Heat, who are 2-2 since Wade's injury. Wade is scheduled to get a second opinion today to determine whether he should have season-ending surgery.

    Arenas, basically a one-man band for the third straight game because of injuries to Butler (back) and Jamison (knee), scored 15 points on 3-for-18 shooting. He is 14-for-61 over his last three games.    

    (Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)

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