L.A. Clippers 90, Phoenix 93

SUNS 93, CLIPPERS 90: Steve Nash made two free throws in the final 30 seconds and host Phoenix earned a key victory over Los Angeles as it battles for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Clippers, who had won 13 of 15 games. They are one game behind the idle Lakers.

Phoenix (33-30) is tied with Utah for eighth place, one game ahead of Houston.

The game was tight throughout and went down to the wire.

Chris Paul made two free throws for an 88-86 lead, Nash tied it with 1:15 left and Marcin Gortat put the Suns up 89-88 by making one of two free throws with 48.4 seconds remaining.

After Paul sank two free throws, Nash followed suit for a 91-90 lead with 25.9 left. Mo Williams missed a 28-footer from the top of the key with two seconds left and the Suns escaped as Blake Griffin missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Gortat had 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead Phoenix. Jared Dudley scored 18 and Channing Frye 16 while Nash had 13 points and six assists.

Paul led the Clippers (39-24) with 19 points and 10 assists. Griffin had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Caron Butler scored 15.

Phoenix has won nine straight home games over the Clippers, who last won in Phoenix on April 17, 2007.
 
GAME NOTEBOOK: Nash is four assists shy of surpassing Oscar Robertson (9,887) for fifth on the NBA’s all-time list.  … Reggie Evans sat out his second straight game because of flu symptoms. He hopes to play Sunday against New Orleans. … Phoenix’s Robin Lopez was ejected for a flagrant type 2 foul with 6:13 remaining.

• Phoenix will play their next game at home against Denver. The Suns have a W/L % of .469 after a win and .581 after a loss.
• L.A. Clippers will play their next game at home against New Orleans. The Clippers have a W/L % of .550 after a win and .739 after a loss.