THIRD QUARTER --- The story lines have not changed. Phoenix is shooting lights out from downtown (14 of 20) and the Sonics are running the pick n' roll to perfection. It's an offensive show and Seattle trails 84-78. Bell has 20 points, Nash 19 and Stoudemire 15 for Phoenix. Green and Durant have 14 for the Sonics. Petro has chipped in 12.

BELL OUT AGAIN --- And this time it's not a bathroom break. He injured his right leg and needed help to get to the locker room.

FIRST LEAD --- Donyell Marshall gave the Sonics a 78-77 lead on a pair of free throws. Before his freebies, Seatlte hurt Phoenix with pick n' rolls involving O'Neal and Stoudemire. Petro is killing Shaq this quarter in the middle. The Sonics, however, can't stop Phoenix's three-point attack.

WILCOX OUT --- He sprained his right pinkie in the first half and will not return.

HALFTIME --- The Sonics were down by just a point a minute before intermission, but a late Suns rally and now they trail 64-55. Bell has 17 points and Nash 13. Phoenix is shooting 64.1 percent, including an amazing 11 of 13 on three pointers.

STRANGE SUBSTITUTION --- Durant and Watson are back in the game and Wilkins and Green are on the bench. The Sonics scored on thier first possession with this group to cut their deficit to 50-49, however, it puts Watson and Ridnour in the backcourt and moves Durant at the 3.

TURNOVER FRENZY --- Teh Sonics have forced 15 turnovers that theyve turned into 20 points.

SECOND UNIT SHOWS FIGHT --- A lineup of Petro, Green, Luke Ridnour, Nick Collison and Damien Wilkins have cut Seattle's deficit to 38-35. They're doing it with steals that they are turning into points. Nash is being very sloppy with the ball and Ridnour is outplaying him at the moment.

FIRST QUARTER -- The Sonics trail 34-23. The Suns are shooting 60.9 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from the three-point line. Stoudemire leads everyone with eight points and Bell has six. Durant has seven for Seattle.

FALSE ALARM --- Bells on the bench after a bathroom break.

BELL LEAVES THE COURT --- The PR staff have yet to explain why Bell walked to the locker room. He seemed to be ok.

QUICK START --- It seems as if the Suns have been reading the local papers and they're intent on jumping on the Sonics early in hopes that Seattle gives less than 100 percent effort in the second half. Nash is pushing on every opportunity and Stoudemire is being very aggressive offensively.

O' CANADA --- Whenever Nash comes to town, thousands of Canadians flood the border and pack KeyArena. It's no differnet tonight. Not sure what the exact numbers are, but there seems to be about 2,000 folks in the building rooting for the Suns. They are the minority, but they are a vocal minority.

STARTING LINEUPS

PHOENIX
F -- Grant Hill
F -- Amare Stoudemire
C -- Shaquille O'Neal
G -- Raja Bell
G -- Steve Nash

SONICS
F -- Jeff Green
F -- Chris Wilcox
C -- Johan Petro
G -- Kevin Durant
G -- Earl Watson

Officials --- Ron Garretson, David Guthrie and Bill Spooner