Suns welcome Bobcats to US Airways Center

Phoenix plays the finale of a three-game homestand. All-Star Shawn Marion finished with a career-high 44 points and also pulled down 15 rebounds to lead the Suns to a 103-94 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at US Airways Center.

Boris Diaw had 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Raja Bell netted 15 in the victory over Boston for the Suns, who have won eight of their last nine games overall.

Kurt Thomas ended with six points and 13 rebounds for Phoenix, which has won three of its last four games against Boston and sits in first place in the Pacific Division.

The Suns are an impressive 21-8 as the host this season. They have won four in a row at home.

The Bobcats play the third of a six-game road trip. On Wednesday, Kareem Rush poured in 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting as Charlotte edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-106, at the Rose Garden.

Primoz Brezec contributed 19 points and five rebounds for Charlotte, which halted a five-game skid. Forward Gerald Wallace, who had missed 15 straight games with a bone bruise in his left leg, finished with 15 points and seven boards, including a big play late in the game to help secure the win.

Charlotte, which lost to the Denver Nuggets in the opener of the road trip, is a dismal 5-23 on the road this season. The Bobcats will also visit the Clippers, Utah and Dallas on the current swing.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 30th, Eddie House poured in 26 points off the bench, while reigning MVP Steve Nash scored 24 and dished out 13 assists as Phoenix posted a 110-100 road victory over Charlotte.

Phoenix has won all three meetings between the clubs.