Marion’s late shot saves day for Suns

CLEVELAND -- Shawn Marion made just one shot, the only one Phoenix absolutely had to have.

Marion dropped in a baseline floater with 1.1 seconds left for his only basket and the Suns burned Cleveland with a season-high 17 three-point baskets in a 110-108 over the Cavaliers on Friday night.

The win gave the Suns a 17-2 record against Eastern Conference teams.

Marion, averaging 15.9 points, was 0 for 3 from the floor before he took a pass in the corner from Boris Diaw, faked his way past center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and as LeBron James rushed toward him, arched in his shot on the run.

After calling a timeout, Cleveland had trouble getting the ball inbounds before Damon Jones attempted a three-pointer that was way off at the horn.

It was the Suns’ defense in the second half that proved to be the difference.

Cleveland scored 69 points in the first half, but only 39 after halftime on 15-for-42 shooting. The Cavaliers lost for only the third time in 14 games.

San Antonio Spurs guard Brent Barry will be sidelined three to four weeks after injuring his left calf for the second time in a month. The latest injury was a muscle strain during the third quarter of Thursday night’s 90-89 victory against Miami. He tore a different muscle Dec. 26 against Chicago and sat out nine games.