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NBA: Phoenix Suns outshine Wizards in Washington

Steve Nash delivered a season-high 19 assists, Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points, and Raja Bell had 14 of his 22 points during a game-deciding third quarter, helping the Phoenix Suns beat the Washington Wizards 122-107 on Friday.

The Suns have won five in a row and 13 of their past 15 NBA games.

They led only 60-55 at half-time, before breaking the game open by outscoring Washington 40-21 in the third period.

Phoenix finished with a total of 42 assists, the most by any NBA team in a game this season.

Nash finished with 12 points, Leandro Barbosa had 20, Grant Hill had 18 points and eight assists, and Shawn Marion had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wizards were led by Andray Blatche's 19 points and 10 rebounds. Washington's leading scorer, Caron Butler, was held to 12 points.

Celtics 112, Raptors 84

At Boston, Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and Boston improved to 10-0 at home, the franchise's best start at home since winning 12 straight in 1984.

Paul Pierce had 18 points and Ray Allen 13 for Boston, which broke it open early. Boston has won all but one of its home games by double digits -- eight by 20 points or more.

Pacers 115, Magic 109

Danny Granger scored a season-high 27 points, Jamaal Tinsley had 20 points and 10 assists and seven players total scored in double figures for Indiana against Orlando.

Jermaine O'Neal had 15 points and Marquis Daniels 13 off the bench for the Pacers, who rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit.

Dwight Howard led Orlando with 30 points and 15 rebounds. Rashard Lewis added 24 points and Keith Bogans had 14, but the Magic hit only 33.3 percent of their shots in the second half.

Trailing 93-89 with 8:45 left in the game, the Pacers used a 14-1 run to erase the last of what had been a 73-58 deficit in the third quarter.

Bulls 98, Pistons 91

At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Andres Nocioni scored 22 points and Ben Wallace added 10 points and 13 rebounds to lead Chicago, which has won four of its last five.

Luol Deng had 17 points and Joe Smith added 14 rebounds.

Chauncey Billups had 15 fourth-quarter points and Richard Hamilton added 24 for Detroit, but had only two in the final period. Rasheed Wallace finished with 18.

Despite being the only Pistons player to score in the first 9:53 of the fourth period, Billups had the deficit down to 83-80 at one point. But Chicago held on for its fourth straight win against Detroit.

Rockets 96, Nets 89

At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Yao Ming had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Tracy McGrady added 24 points, and Houston never trailed in beating New Jersey.

Jason Kidd returned to the Nets' lineup after a one-game absence, and finished with 10 points -- eight in the fourth quarter -- seven rebounds and seven assists.

Rafer Alston scored 15 points and Shane Battier had 12 for the Rockets, who won for the fifth straight time in New Jersey.

Vince Carter matched his season high with 32 points, winning his scoring duel with cousin McGrady. Richard Jefferson finished with 29, but the Nets fell to a dismal 4-8 at home.

In other NBA action on Friday it was:

* Hornets 118, Grizzlies 116, OT

* 76ers 101, Knicks 90
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