Nash leads Suns past T-Wolves

Phoenix, AZ (Basketball News) - Steve Nash returned to action and matched his season-high 31 points and dished 11 assists to lead Phoenix in a 110-102 victory over Minnesota at America West Arena.

After spraining his right ankle on Monday against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, the NBA reigning MVP missed his first game of the season in a loss against San Antonio on Thursday - the Suns’ first since a 103-101 setback to Minnesota on February 6th.

Tim Thomas scored 19 points for Phoenix, which has won 15 of 17. Boris Diaw scored 18 points, while Raja Bell had 13. Shawn Marion posted 10 points and 16 rebounds, and Leandro Barbosa added 10 points.

Kevin Garnett posted 28 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost four in a row. Trenton Hassell scored season-high 21 points, while Ricky Davis and Marko Jaric added 14 points apiece. Rashad McCants scored 13 points, and Mark Blount had 10.

Phoenix took off on a 15-7 tear capped by a pair of Marion free throws with 7:22 left in the fourth quarter for a 95-85 lead, which proved insurmountable for Minnesota thereafter.

Minnesota gained a slight early advantage and led 29-28 heading into the second quarter. It added to its lead, 54-48, by halftime, however Phoenix began building momentum with a 6-0 spurt in the final three minutes.

Trailing 76-75, Phoenix took the lead 78-76 on three straight points by Nash in the final 1:11 of the stanza, and did not relinquish it again.

Phoenix is an impressive 25-9 at home this season. The Suns hit the road for a pair of games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics.

Minnesota played the third of a six-game road trip. The Timberwolves are a brutal 8-22 as the visitor this season. They will also visit the Clippers, Lakers and Golden State Warriors on the current road trip.

Game Notes

This was the third and final meeting of the season between the clubs. In the two previous contests, both clubs picked up a win on the road...Minnesota has lost 10 of its last 16 at Phoenix...Phoenix has won five of six against Minnesota, after having lost nine of 10...The road team has won six of the last eight contests.