Bodog Beat

Steve Nash is as resilient as he is physically fit.

The Suns' point guard rebounded from a difficult Game 3 to score 24 points and 15 assists as Phoenix rallied to defeat the Spurs, 104-98, in San Antonio on Monday to even the Western Conference semifinal series at two games apiece. Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is in Phoenix on Wednesday.

With a 12-1 run in the fourth quarter, the Suns regained home-court advantage and covered against the spread , which favored San Antonio by three points. The Suns were also a solid value straight up, paying out at +130 on the moneyline (meaning a winnng bet of $100 would yield a $130 profit).

Phoenix, which trailed by as many as 11 points, took the lead for the first time in the second half on consecutive behind-the-back feeds from Nash to Amare Stoudemire that made it 100-97 with 32 seconds to play.

With 18 seconds left, San Antonio's Robert Horry hit Nash with a forearm that knocked him into the scorers' table. Phoenix's Raja Bell tried to get at Horry as did Nash after he got to his feet. Horry was given a flagrant foul and was ejected. Bell was given a technical foul. A free throw by each team made it 101-98. The Suns kept possession and Nash added another free throw with 16 seconds to go.

Stoudemire had a team-high 26 points for the Suns. Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points and Tim Duncan had 21 points and 11 rebounds.

In the Eastern Conference on Monday:

Cleveland 87, New Jersey 85: LeBron James had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Cleveland moved within one victory of its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 15 years by winning Game 4 in East Rutherford, N.J. Larry Hughes added 19 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who hold a 3-1 lead in the series and can wrap it up at home Wednesday night.

The Cavs were a 4-point underdog against the spread and were +150 on the moneyline.

Vince Carter had 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Nets, but was 6-for-23 from the field and turned the ball over late in the game. Jason Kidd wasted his career playoff-high 17-rebound performance by shooting 2-for-13 and scoring five points.

For complete NBA playoff odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

NBA Playoff Schedule for Tuesday (all times Eastern):

• 8 p.m.: Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons, Game 5 (TNT) – Pistons lead series 3-1.
• 10:30 p.m.: Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz, Game 5 (TNT) – Jazz lead series 3-1.

Both games available for in-game wagering with BodogLIVE.

PHOTO: Steve Nash is one tough basketball player. (AI Wire photo)