"I think we can go home and turn on Classic NBA," Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said after the game. "It will be on there already. That's the best game I have ever seen."
On December 7th in 2006, the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Nets battled in a double-overtime thriller headlined by a duel between their point guards - reigning MVP Steve Nash and Jason Kidd - arguably the two best point guards in the league at that point.
Nash went off for a then career-high 42 points (16-of-25 FG; 6-of-7 3PT) while also finishing with 13 assists.
He scored nine of those points in the crucial second overtime including a couple of clutch free-throws at the end that sealed the game, not to mention the clutch game-tying three in regulation that forced overtime.
"It was a crazy game," said Nash. "They decided to run with us tonight. Both teams deserved to win. We were lucky to come out on top."
Each of the other starters for the visitors also chipped in. Raja Bell scored 24, Shawn Marion contributed across the board with 33 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks, while the duo of Amar'e Stoudemire (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Boris Diaw (16 points, 14 assists) registered double-doubles.
Watch the game below:
For the Nets, Jason Kidd finished with his 78th career triple-double, tying Wilt Chamberlain for third-most all-time.
He finished with 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, but a key turnover with 10 seconds remaining in the second overtime cost the Nets a chance to tie the game. He also missed a chance to clinch the game in the first extra session when he missed a potential 19-footer.
The Nets bench outscored their counterparts 51-23, while the duo of Richard Jefferson (25 points, eight assists) and Vince Carter (31 points, nine assists) were the key players to help Kidd.
"For the NBA it was one of those games they would like to see more often," Kidd said. "You know, guys were playing hard. It was a clean game, a lot of points, but it came down the last couple of minutes of each quarter, and it probably will be a classic."
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