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Suns outshine Celtics in Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns handed the Boston Celtics their first three-game losing streak of the season with a rugged 85-77 victory in the NBA on Friday.

Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and the Suns got their first victory with Shaquille O'Neal in the lineup.

Grant Hill had 14 points and 13 rebounds to record consecutive double-doubles for the first time since 2002.

The Celtics' early-season dominance has subsided and they are now only two games ahead of Detroit in the race for the NBA's best record.

Rockets 100, Hornets 80

In New Orleans, Houston won their 11th straight game with victory over New Orleans.

Yao Ming had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, whose streak has moved them into seventh place in the Western Conference.

The loss ended New Orleans' five-game winning streak, and they now leads San Antonio by only one game in the Southwest Division.

Cavaliers 90, Wizards 89

In Cleveland, LeBron James made two free throws with 7.8 seconds left as Cleveland, playing with just eight men, had enough to beat Washington.

James scored 33 points with 15 rebounds and eight assists in 45 minutes for the Cavs, who were shorthanded as they could not use the four players gained in an 11-player blockbuster deal on Thursday.

Pistons 127, Bucks 100

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chauncey Billups had 21 points and 12 assists to lead Detroit to a rout of Milwaukee.

Magic 115, 76ers 99

In Orlando, Florida, Hedo Turkoglu scored a season-high 31 points as Orlando downed Philadelphia.

Dwight Howard had 24 points and 18 rebounds for the Magic.

Mavericks 98, Grizzlies 83

In Memphis, Tennessee, German Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points to spearhead Dallas' win over Memphis.

Pacers 113, Nets 103

In Indianapolis, Indiana snapped a three-game losing streak by beating New Jersey.

Mike Dunleavy scored 34 points for the Pacers, who remain within 1-1/2 games of the playoff places despite a .400 record.

Bulls 135, Nuggets 121

In Chicago, Ben Gordon scored 37 points, and the revamped Bulls delivered one of their best offensive efforts in years to overcome a late surge by Denver.

The Bulls scored at least 30 points in all four quarters for the first time since 1997.

Knicks 103, Raptors 99

In New York, Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 43 points, leading New York over Toronto.

Zach Randolph made a layup with the Knicks clinging to a two-point lead with 40 seconds remaining, and Nate Robinson made four free throws to help New York hold on.

In other NBA action on Friday it was:

* Clippers 114, Jazz 104

* Kings 116, Bobcats 115, OT

* Hawks 117, Warriors 110

* SuperSonics 99, Trail Blazers 87
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