The Basketball Diaries

Phoenix Suns 123 Golden State Warriors 115

The Suns seem to have found the formula for winning with Shaq on the team. What they did on Thursday night was simple, yet effective. They just didn't play him. Instead, the Suns reverted to their former selves and spent all night running up and down the court with the Warriors, and it paid off with a win. Amare Stoudemire had 36 points and 11 rebounds, and Steve Nash had 21 points and 13 assists to lead Phoenix. "We're still in a training camp mode really for the rest of the year," Nash said, "but we're learning. I think we're getting more accustomed to playing both ways and how we can change on the fly and be comfortable and efficient." Baron Davis finished with 38 points for Golden State.

Washington Wizards 101 Cleveland Cavaliers 99

What a day for Caron Butler. Not only was it his 28th birthday on Thursday, but he got to play in his first game in over a month for the Wizards. Butler finished with 19 points with the Wizards, as all five of Washington's starters finished in double digits. "Swag at an all-time high," said Butler, sporting a sharp suit with a purple-and-white tie and matching handkerchief after the game. "Feeling good. Good win. Birthday. Going to go out with the team into the city and celebrate right now." LeBron James scored 25 points for Cleveland, but he missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have won the game for Cleveland.

Sacramento Kings 96 Portland Trailblazers 85

It's hard to have a meaningless game between two Western Conference opponents, but it's going to happen once in a while, and Thursday night was once in a while. Ron Artest had 22 points to lead the Kings to a win, but no closer to a playoff berth. "I wanted to come out with energy and try to set the tone," said Artest, who had a season-high six steals. "This time of year you have to fight through fatigue, play hard, and see what happens."